The Future of the Internet Might Hinge on This Bet

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[Commentary] This week marks a milestone in the work going on in America on the Internet policy gap-filling front. A large group of crucial US foundations is committing to work together on these issues: The presidents of the Knight, Ford, Mozilla, MacArthur and Open Society foundations gathered in New York City to face up to the sobering realities of this moment in the history of the Internet in America.

The money hasn’t been earmarked for any particular project; the ​initiative launched the “NetGain Challenges,” which invites experts from the sector and members of the public to ​identify the ​biggest challenge​s ​philanthropy ought to fund. Philanthropy can play a crucial role by building capacity in a wealth of sectors, including inside government, to think long term. We are in a battle for the future of the Internet. The foundations are mobilizing, calling in the troops, and planning to work on the front lines. It’s an effort that is remarkable in its scope. Let’s hope it’s both sustained and ultimately successful.

[Susan Crawford is a professor at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law]


The Future of the Internet Might Hinge on This Bet