The U.N. telecoms agency has invited the world’s more than two billion Internet users to join a debate about the future of the Internet.
The Geneva-based International Telecommunications Union’s announcement on Wednesday follows criticism from civil society groups who say preparations for an upcoming global conference have been shrouded in secrecy.
Conference in December
The World Conference on International Telecommunications takes place on December 3-14 in the United Arab Emirates city of Dubai.
Diplomats have for months been holding closed-doors discussions about proposals that include enhanced government surveillance and changing the way Internet traffic is billed.
Industry groups have warned that some of the proposals could jeopardise the smooth running of the Internet. Activists, meanwhile, say greater government control of the Internet could endanger free speech online.
