Launch of the Alliance for a Free and Open Internet in Latin America and the Caribbean: A New Ally in the Fight Against “Fair Share”
The governance of digital spaces has recently reached a significant milestone with the launch of the Alliance for a Free and Open Internet in Latin America and the Caribbean (AIA-LAC). This initiative comes at a critical moment, aiming to influence regulatory policies that preserve the Internet as a space for freedom and neutrality and to oppose proposals that impose disproportionate costs on users and restrict fair competition in the digital environment.
With the Brazilian government signaling support for Bill No. 4,691/2024, which could position Anatel as the country’s primary regulator of digital platforms, AIA-LAC is being established at both a sensitive and strategic moment. Its mission is to foster an open dialogue between the government and the private sector to develop a digital infrastructure that benefits all, balancing the needs of the telecommunications sector with users’ rights to an Internet free from additional fees and unnecessary access barriers.
Bill No. 4,691/2024 seeks to define regulatory guidelines for digital platforms in Brazil, aligning with Anatel’s draft bill, which proposes expanding its regulatory scope to include CDNs and other digital services. This expansion of Anatel’s authority is closely tied to the debate over network fees, or ‘Fair Share’, a policy the agency supports despite criticism from experts and Brazil’s Ministry of Finance.
Mercedes Aramendía, executive director of AIA-LAC, emphasized the importance of addressing Fair Share through collaborative actions, rather than imposing financial burdens in the absence of clear, evidence-based market failures that justify regulatory intervention. Building on AIA’s work in Brazil, AIA-LAC will focus on engaging governments and market players in constructive discussions to promote a digital ecosystem guided by innovation, inclusion, and freedom.
Initiatives like AIA-LAC are essential for the future of the Internet in the region. As Brazil and other Latin American countries navigate an evolving digital governance landscape and confront potentially harmful proposals like Fair Share, AIA-LAC stands as a key defender of digital rights, ensuring that the Internet remains a space for innovation and equitable access.