In a significant shift in U.S. digital diplomacy, Secretary of State Antony Blinken unveiled the concept of "digital solidarity" at the RSA Conference in San Francisco. This new strategy aims to reshape global internet governance and counter the growing trend of digital fragmentation.
The RSA Conference, which began in 1991 as a modest cryptography discussion, has evolved into a premier cybersecurity event attracting 40,000 participants annually. Blinken's keynote address, delivered on May 6, 2024, marked the release of a strategy document from the Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy (CDP), established in 2022.
Blinken defined digital solidarity as a principle to unite like-minded nations in governing the global digital ecology. This approach stands in contrast to "digital sovereignty," a concept often associated with Chinese President Xi Jinping's vision for a less Western-centric internet.
The strategy aims to address several challenges:
- Countering cyber threats from nations like Iran, China, and Russia
- Balancing differences with allies, particularly the EU, on data rights and privacy
- Preserving the original vision of an open, global internet
Digital solidarity reflects both idealism about the internet's original promise and realism about its current state. As Jack Goldsmith, a former U.S. assistant attorney general, notes, it attempts to bridge the gap between U.S. and European perspectives on digital governance.
The need for this new approach is evident in recent trends:
- 80 countries now restrict cross-border data flows
- 283 internet shutdowns occurred across 39 countries in 2023
- The "splinternet" phenomenon is increasingly apparent
While some may view digital solidarity as a U.S. attempt to reclaim lost influence, it also represents a potential last hope to salvage the original dream of a global, open internet.
"We're committed not to 'digital sovereignty' but 'digital solidarity'."
As the internet landscape continues to evolve, the success of this new U.S. strategy in uniting democratic nations and shaping the future of global digital governance remains to be seen.