ICC Commission on the Digital Economy

Seeks to promote the global development of the digital economy and stable growth of ICT through private sector policy leadership, regulatory advocacy and the promotion of best practice.

With members from 50+ countries, the commission provides for a global forum that develops policy positions and practical tools for the Internet and information communications technology (ICTs) on behalf of users, providers and operators of information technology..

ABOUT THE COMMISSION

  • Provide input on e-commerce and digital trade into the work programmes of the World Trade Organization, G20, as well as the United Nations and relevant agencies.. Highlight the importance of cross-border data flows for the global economy, and promote policies to leverage ICTs for the inclusion of small and medium enterprises and developing countries in trade.
  • Present the case of the digital economy’s contribution across most of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) with examples, and put forward recommendations to policymakers on how to leverage ICTs and the Internet for economic growth and social benefit.
  • Complement recently developed guidance to policymakers on emerging technology such as Internet of things, machine-to-machine and cloud computing with the users’ perspective and the business practices and government policies that help adoption and use to provide societal and economic benefit, while driving innovation.
  • Advocate global business priorities from across sectors on privacy, data protection and security policy discussions in relevant intergovernmental forums [Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), Council of Europe, European Union and United Nations agencies]. Encourage policy interoperability across different legal systems to simplify administrative procedures for business, where feasible. Continue to advocate ways to mitigate the risks of cybercrime and promote initiatives to advance consumer and business confidence in ICTs to foster the digital economy.
  • Develop practical policy inputs on topical issues that help ICC demonstrate the value and necessity of a multistakeholder approach to Internet and ICT policies.. Apply these practical global business inputs where possible to intergovernmental discussions and to reinforce the viability of multistakeholder entities such as the Internet Governance Forum (IGF).

Our mission

  • Advocating ICC positions in international initiatives by preparing policy material on the digital economy to promote economic growth, social development and job creation.
  • Conveying business priorities and providing practical business inputs on policy issues that can help ICC demonstrate the value and necessity of a multistakeholder approach to Internet and ICT policies.
  • Participating in and substantively contributing to key intergovernmental fora such as the UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD), the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), and the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) + 10 processes

Our impact

The Commission on the Digital Economy informs the following international organizations and entities:

  • APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation)
  • Council of Europe
  • EU (the European Parliament and Commission of the European Union)
  • ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers)
  • ITU (International Telecommunication Union)
  • OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development)
  • UN agencies and ICT-related activities (post-World Summit on Information Society action lines)

The Commission on the Digital Economy is the over-arching body for task forces dedicated to specific issues related to business interests, the Internet and constantly evolving information and telecommunications technologies (ICTs). Task forces are composed of three principles and respectively address: questions of national and international infrastructure and services, data protection and privacy, and security issues.

Drawing primarily upon members of the Commission on the Digital Economy, the task forces include business entities from 50 developed and developing countries. Each task force fits within the overall Commission on the Digital Economy strategy by developing and advocating global cross-sector business policy positions and recommendations to governmental and intergovernmental bodies, specific to their areas of interest. They further produce practical tools and guidance for businesses on Internet and ICT-related issues.

Cyber Security Task Force

The objective of the Task Force on Cyber Security is to develop consensus positions, business practice tools and articulate business interests for consideration in policy discussions and initiatives related to cyber security. It does so by being the ICC liaison to global cyber security forums such as the Global Forum on Cyber Expertise and by providing input into regulatory initiatives and producing practical tools to help companies in better implementing information security in their operations.

The task force contributes to improving network and information security for businesses and other users, by raising awareness and providing practical tools to make security a higher priority yet a less intimidating task. The Task Force will keep members exchange latest developments and insights on cyber threats that affect their businesses and will work to provide ways to anticipate and combat such threats. ICC works with policymakers through this task force to inform decisions and legislative actions related to information security to reflect the realities and needs of the private sector.

The Task Force on Cyber Security is chaired by Gerard Hartsink (CLS Group, The Netherlands).

Click here for the Task Force on Cyber Security’s page.

View all documents from the Task Force on Cyber Security.

Internet and Telecommunications Task Force

The objective of the Task Force on Internet and Telecommunications is to articulate business interests in international and regional policy initiatives related to the Internet and communications telecoms sector.

Developments with Internet-based solutions and the convergence of platforms and services present new policy and regulatory challenges. Business interests need to be communicated to ensure informed policy decisions are made and that regulatory agendas properly take into account the specific needs of business users.

The Task Force on Internet and Telecommunications ensures full, fair and sustainable competition in the telecommunications and Internet ecosystems, with the aim of bringing global benefits to all customers, users and providers of communications services. It advocates that communications services are lightly regulated and that government authorities develop ICT policies through competitive market forces instead of through regulation. It also ensures that the mandated cooperation of communication service providers with law enforcement is proportionate and reasonable, consistent with technical and business capabilities, reflective of customer confidence needs, as well as supportive of communication service provider competition.

The Internet and Telecommunications Task Force is currently co-chaired by Eric H. Loeb (AT&T Services Inc., US) and Christoph Steck (Telefónica S.A., Spain)

Click here for the Task Force on the Internet and Telecommunications’ page.

View all documents of the Task Force on the Internet and Telecommunications.

Privacy and Personal Data Protection Task Force

The objective of the Task Force on Privacy and Personal Data Protection is to keep members up to date on data protection developments that affect their businesses in areas such as international data transfer, RFID, whistleblower hotlines, and human resources data. It works to streamline processes and save companies money by developing standardized and practical tools.

A central area of focus is the standardization of rules on data transfer, since serving global customers means businesses are being constantly challenged by the need to move information across locations and networks in an increasingly secure and rapid manner.

The Task Force on Privacy and Personal Data Protection is currently chaired by David Hoffman (Security Policy and Global Privacy Officer, Intel Corporation).

Click here for the Task Force on Privacy and Personal Data Protection’s page .

View all documents of the Task Force on Privacy & Personal Data Protection .

Anne-Sophie Coppens, MARSH BELGIUM & BENELUX
Gérard  de Laminne de Bex, COMEOS
Bruno De Vuyst, JANSON BAUGNIET
Sofia Dilinos, IAB EUROPE
Townsend Feehan, IAB EUROPE
Alison Fennah, IAB EUROPE
Christopher  Kuner, WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
Alex Macarescu, IAB EUROPE
Matthias Matthiesen, IAB EUROPE
Ionel Naftanaila, IAB EUROPE
Catalina Panoiu, MARSH SA/NV
Marie-Clare Puffet, IAB EUROPE
Nathalie Ragheno, VBO-FEB
Anne Vallery, WILMER CUTLER PICKERING HALE AND DORR
Goedele Van der Linden, MARSH SA/NV
Filip  Van Elsen, ALLEN & OVERY LLP – ANTWERPEN
Ivan Vandermeersch, BELGIAN DIRECT MARKETING ASSOCIATION (BDMV-AMBD)
Tanguy Van Overstraeten, LINKLATERS
Cécile Verhaegen, MARSH BELGIUM & LUXEMBOURG
Heidi Waem, NAUTADUTILH

TASK FORCE ON PRIVACY AND PROTECTION OF PERSONAL DATA , 373-22
Christopher  Kuner, WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
Matthias Matthiesen, IAB EUROPE
Tanguy Van Overstraeten, LINKLATERS DE BANDT – BRUSSELS

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Needling business innovation together with enabling policy and regulatory measures are a prerequisite to reap the full potential of digitalisation and ensure an equitable and sustainable future for everyone, everywhere.