India, Indonesia & South Africa: The alliance threatening to break the internet

Yeah, the World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference sounds like a soul-destroying talk fest. But as we write this article, high-stakes negations are underway that could shape the future of the internet.

Threatening to break the internet as we know it, is the abolishment of the Moratorium on Customs Duties on Electronic Transmissions. It has been in place since 1998 and restricts countries from imposing customs duties on digital products purchased on the internet.

The WTO operates on a total consensus model, meaning moratoriums are only extended if all present member nations agree.

But this year, there are dissenters.

An unlikely alliance between India, Indonesia & South Africa is threatening to expose all of us to tariffs on digital transactions – things like e-books, music, streaming subscriptions and software downloads.
Wednesday night deadline

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