Freedom Online Coalition

The Freedom Online Coalition (FOC) is a group of governments who have committed to cooperate in order to support Internet freedom and protect fundamental human rights (freedom of expression, freedom of association and assembly, privacy and data protection) online, worldwide. 

The Coalition was established in 2011, and it currently has 30 member governments. The members coordinate their diplomatic efforts, share information on violations of human rights online, and work together to voice concerns over measures that have a negative impact on human rights online. In addition, they issue joint statements on the aforementioned issues, share policy approaches to complex topics, exchange views on the Coalition’s strategy, and plan the Colaition’s participation in relevant forums. 

The Freedom Online Coalition also provides a platform for multistakeholder cooperation, engaging civil society organisations and the private sector in a dialogue on issues related to digital rights. 

The Coalition’s activities are guided by three key documents: the Tallinn Agenda – Recommendations for Freedom Online (which reaffirmed the Coalition’s commitment to respect and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms online), the Nairobi Terms of Reference, and the Founding Declaration – Freedom Online: Joint Action for Free Expression on the Internet. 

An annual multistakeholder conference is held once a year in the context of the Coalition. The aim of the conference is to review developments in the area of Internet rights and freedoms, and deepen discussions on how freedom on expression on the Internet can help promote democracy, human rights, and social, cultural, and economic development.