The Net is also the collective knowledge and experience of a set of communities. It has its own modes of interaction, languages of discourse, and cultural expression. For our global community to reach its potential in this networked world, certain principles must be understood and respected as we consider the more detailed daily questions that arise in the administration or governance of the Net. The Net must be open and available to all. People have the right to communicate.
People have the right to privacy.
People are the Net's stewards, not its owners. Administration of the Net should be open and inclusive. The Net should reflect human diversity, not homogenize it. This list of principles is not exhaustive or definitive. As societies and technologies evolve, new principles may come into play while others lose significance.