In Paris on Monday, several hundred governments and tech companies – and Switzerland – signed a new charter for trust and security online. In the so-called ‘Paris Call’, launched by French President Macron at the UNESCO Internet Governance Forum in Paris, signatories pledged to support “an open, safe, stable, accessible, and peaceful cyberspace” where international law applies, and individual rights are protected. The call outlines a list of non-binding principles that both public and private actors can implement and endorse to increase trust and stability in cyberspace. Just as with nuclear weapons, “international agreements are needed to avoid a catastrophic digital war”, said French foreign minister Jean-Yves le Drian. Such agreements are few and far between, however, with UN-sponsored efforts at global compromises often scuppered by the reluctance of many states to work together. Along with targeted attacks on countries and businesses, the 359 signatories also notably ...
