Advancing Technology Governance to Protect Rights and Safety

The United States prioritizes working with global partners to advance rights-respecting technology governance through multistakeholder and multilateral fora. 

To further these efforts, U.S. Special Envoy and Coordinator for Digital Freedom Eileen Donahoe joined French Minister for Digital Transition and Telecommunications Jean-Noël Barrot, State Secretary for Children Charlotte Caubel, and Ambassador for Digital Affairs Henri Verdier on November 9 to announce U.S. support for the Children Online Protection Laboratory.  This announcement, by Special Envoy Donahoe, occurred at the inaugural high-level year in review event for the multistakeholder initiative of the same name led by the French government to improve the safety of digital services for vulnerable users.  Protecting children online is a core principle of the Biden-Harris Administration’s technology platform accountability efforts, and especially critical as we work to advance safe and responsible development of new and emerging technologies, like artificial intelligence.  The United States remains steadfast in our call for stronger privacy and online protections for children and young people, and committed to preventing and addressing their exploitation, harassment and abuse. Special Envoy Donahoe also announced on November 13 the United States will co-chair, along with France, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)’s DIS/MIS Information Resource Hub.  The Hub is a key multistakeholder platform for cooperation with OECD member states and non-member states, at which decision makers, along with representatives of civil society, academia, and the private sector will meet to discuss challenges including the role of generative AI, share best practices, and find effective and rights-respecting solutions to countering mis- and disinformation.

Promoting online safety and preventing the erosion of information integrity are central U.S. government priorities.  President Biden and Secretary Blinken have made it clear that the United States should engage globally to advance solutions to these critical challenges that promote safety and accountability while protecting freedom of expression.

As Special Envoy and Coordinator for Digital Freedom, Donahoe leads the Department of State’s efforts to engage foreign partners to advance the innovative design, application, and governance of technology to advance digital freedom, anchored in international law and rights-respecting values.