Internet Governance Forum in Oslo Tackles Disinformation and Conflict

Mon 23rd Jun, 2025

The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) is taking place in Oslo, focusing on critical issues such as disinformation, artificial intelligence (AI) regulation, and internet resilience. Over two decades, the forum has evolved, yet the core topics remain relevant today.

Initially launched during the World Summit on the Information Society, representatives from various sectors, including government officials, tech giants like Oracle, Cisco, Microsoft, and Google, as well as civil society members, gathered for the first IGF. The platform was designed to provide an open space for discussion, avoiding the contentious debates surrounding the oversight of the Domain Name System (DNS) and the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).

However, the perception of the internet has shifted dramatically since the first meeting. Discussions led by Norway's Culture Minister and TikTok's Head of Safety Public Policy highlight concerns about the growing influence of big tech on communications infrastructure. The critical question posed is whether citizens and states are losing their information space.

Disinformation has emerged as a key topic at the forum, particularly regarding its implications for security and democracy. Experts are questioning how best to address the challenges posed by false information in the digital age.

The forum also addresses the geopolitical tensions that have led to increased conflict, contrasting the current situation with the decline in conflicts observed in 2005. Discussions are underway about the protection of undersea cables, a crucial infrastructure in global communications. Organizations like the Business and Human Rights Resource Center and Access Now are advocating for corporate responsibility in conflict zones.

Another significant topic is the regulation of autonomous weapon systems. An open forum organized by Austria invites discussions on this pressing issue, featuring experts like Chris Painter, the former U.S. Cyber Ambassador, and Vint Cerf, one of the pioneers of the internet. Additionally, the forum will explore how internet access can be safeguarded in conflict areas, addressing the fact that while the digital divide has narrowed, approximately 2.6 billion people remain offline.

Artificial intelligence continues to be a dominant subject at the IGF, with multiple sessions dedicated to its implications. Discussions will focus on the benefits and drawbacks of risk-based regulation and the potential roles AI could play in judicial, diplomatic, and law enforcement contexts.

A pivotal theme at this year's forum is the future of the IGF itself. As the current mandate from the UN General Assembly approaches its end, a reevaluation of the entire follow-up process for the World Summit on the Information Society is underway. Some experts are provocatively questioning whether the WSIS should continue. However, the consensus among participants is to maintain the forum's open nature, with hopes for better funding to enhance its capacity for shaping global digital policy.

The German Digital Ministry's stance in these discussions remains unclear, as inquiries have gone unanswered, reminiscent of its previous reticence in engaging with the forum prior to Germany's hosting of the IGF.


More Quick Read Articles »