# NetFreedom Task Force

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{{Update|date=April 2023}}
The '''NetFreedom Task Force''', previously called the '''Global Internet Freedom Task Force''' ('''GIFT'''), is an initiative within the [U.S. Department of State](/source/United_States_Department_of_State) that acts as the State Department's policy-coordinating and outreach body for [Internet freedom](/source/Internet_freedom). The members address Internet freedom issues by drawing on the department's multidisciplinary expertise in international communications policy, human rights, democratization, business advocacy, [corporate social responsibility](/source/corporate_social_responsibility), and relevant countries and regions. It reports to the Secretary through [Under Secretary for Economic, Business, and Agricultural Affairs](/source/Under_Secretary_for_Economic%2C_Business%2C_and_Agricultural_Affairs) and [Under Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs](/source/Under_Secretary_for_Democracy_and_Global_Affairs). The task force coordinates the State Department's work with other agencies, U.S. Internet companies, non-governmental organizations, academic researchers, and other stakeholders.<ref>[https://2009-2017.state.gov/e/eb/cip/netfreedom/ "Internet Freedom: The NetFreedom Taskforce"], U.S. Department of State, January 20, 2009</ref>

==History==
The Global Internet Freedom Task Force was established by [United States Secretary of State](/source/United_States_Secretary_of_State) [Condoleezza Rice](/source/Condoleezza_Rice) in February 2006 "to monitor and respond to threats to freedom of expression on the internet".<ref>[http://2001-2009.state.gov/g/drl/lbr/c26696.htm "Global Internet Freedom Task Force"], U.S. Department of State, November 3, 2008</ref><ref>[https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/80699.pdf ''Supporting Human Rights and Democracy: The U.S. Record 2006''], U.S. Department of State, April 4, 2007, p. 75</ref>

The task force considers foreign policy aspects of Internet freedom, including:
*The use of technology to restrict access to political content and the impact of such censorship efforts on U.S. companies;
*The use of technology to track and repress dissidents; and
*Efforts to modify [Internet governance](/source/Internet_governance) structures in order to restrict the free flow of information.

The task force was mentioned by U.S. Secretary of State [Hillary Clinton](/source/Hillary_Clinton) in a speech on Internet Freedom delivered at the [Newseum](/source/Newseum) in Washington, D.C., on January 21, 2010, stating "We are reinvigorating the Global Internet Freedom Task Force as a forum for addressing threats to internet freedom around the world, and urging U.S. media companies to take a proactive role in challenging foreign governments' demands for censorship and surveillance."<ref>[https://foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/21/internet_freedom "Internet Freedom: The prepared text of U.S. of Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton's speech, delivered at the Newseum in Washington, D.C."], ''Foreign Policy'', January 21, 2010</ref> The task force was renamed the NetFreedom Task Force shortly thereafter.<ref>[https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2010/03/137790.htm "NetFreedom Task Force Meeting"], U.S. Department of State, March 4, 2010</ref>

==See also==
* [Digital rights](/source/Digital_rights) – the human rights that allow individuals to access, use, create, and publish digital media or to access and use computers, other electronic devices, or communications networks
* [Internet censorship](/source/Internet_censorship) – the control or suppression of what can be accessed, published, or viewed on the Internet
* [Open Technology Fund](/source/Open_Technology_Fund) (OTF) – a U.S. Government funded program created in 2012 at Radio Free Asia to support global Internet freedom technologies
* [Right to Internet access](/source/Right_to_Internet_access) – the view that all people must be able to access the Internet in order to exercise and enjoy their rights to freedom of speech

==References==
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Category:Internet governance advocacy groups
Category:Internet in the United States
Category:Task forces

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [NetFreedom Task Force](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NetFreedom_Task_Force) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NetFreedom_Task_Force?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.