We previously wrote that a core group of eight key actors from Government, Private Sector and Civil Society have come together to coordinate on building a full Contract for the Web — one that is robust, effective, and widely adopted. To inform this effort, 80 of the 200+ organisations that have backed the contract have volunteered to participate in working groups to do the important work of defining the rights and responsibilities to be included in the final contract.

Working Groups

We’re excited to share that these working groups have kicked off their first set of regular engagements. Given the interconnectedness of the 9 principles that will guide the contract, we have opted to tackle them through the following five groups:

1. Principles 1 & 4 (Access): Government and private sector commitments to achieve affordable access, connectivity, and accessibility standards online.
2. Principle 2 (Openness): Concrete commitments that governments and companies must make to ensure that all of the internet is available, all of the time.
3. Principles 3 & 5 (Privacy & Data Rights): Steps that governments and companies can take to ensure privacy is respected online.
4. Principle 6 (Positive Tech): How companies can ensure that technology creation and use is focused on human values and better experiences for everyone, and addresses the harms associated with some current use.
5. Principles 7, 8 & 9 (Public Action): Steps that citizens can take towards creating a healthier internet.

We have worked hard to ensure diversity of sector, geography and gender identity, as well as a balance between policy and operational expertise. Around 35% of the members of the working groups come from private sector, 50% from CSOs, and the remaining 15% from government. Over 35% of the representatives identify as female, and over 30% come from the Global South.

These groups won’t build the final contract alone. Once a draft of the Contract for the Web is produced, it will be made available to a broader set of stakeholders and signatories who, with feedback and suggestions, will guide us towards a final version.

We have made huge progress over the last months in setting up a team of experts with a wide range of expertise and knowledge. But this is just the beginning. The next months promise a set of exciting conversations and debates about the rights and responsibilities we should be working towards. Stay tuned!

Back the Contract for the Web

If you’re interested in being involved, please sign up your organisation to support the contract, or email us at contract@webfoundation.org.

You can also sign up as an individual to show your support and to let us know why you think we need a contract. We’ll be in touch with ways you can add your voice and you’ll also be one of the first people invited to read and comment on the final contract.

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