Since each new user increases the value of the Net for all, the potential of the Net will only be reached when all who desire can openly and freely use the Net. The Net must be open and available to all. The Net must be available to all who wish to use it, regardless of economic, social, political, lingustic, or cultural differences or abilities. The Internet community must work to ensure that all people have the access to the technology, education, and support necessary for constructive, active participation. People in all walks of life, dissidents, prisoners, and minorities have as much right to exchange information as do the affluent and powerful.
People have the right to communicate.
Every use of the Net is inherently an exercise of freedom of speech, to be restricted only at great peril to human liberty. The right to communicate includes the right to participate in communication through interacting, organizing, petitioning, mobilizing, assembling, collaborating, buying and selling, sharing, and publishing. The Net offers great promise as a means of increasing global commerce and collaboration among individuals and businesses, but restrictions on information exchange would eviscerate that promise. People have the right to privacy. Without assurances of appropriate privacy, users of the Net will not communicate and participate in a meaningful manner.