News: It said companies should publish transparency reports on content restrictions.

The Global Commission on Internet Governance (Commission) has released a report titled ‘One Internet’ highlighted the actions needed for a healthy and secure internet for all.

The report has been released at the OECD Ministerial Meeting on the Digital Economy in Cancun, Mexico.

The commission, chaired by former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt, said that the internet has become the most powerful infrastructure in the world and its importance will only grow along with the Internet of Things.

But the report noted that basic access to the internet is under threat, as users doubt its security.

Bildt said: "The Internet is at a crossroads. The threats to privacy and the risk that the Internet will break apart are real.

"If we want a future where the Internet continues to provide opportunities for economic growth, free expression, political equality and social justice then governments, civil society and the private sector must actively choose that future and then take the necessary steps to achieve it."

The report highlights that the government should not involve third parties to weaken or compromise encryption standards through hidden "backdoors" into technology.

It also said that governments should negotiate a list of targets that are off-limits to cyber-attacks.

Bildt added: "A healthy Internet is one where data and information flow freely, where barriers to Internet access are eliminated, where personal and commercially-sensitive data are protected, and the technical infrastructure that makes it all possible is stable.

"Achieving this, however, will only happen if governments, business and civil society commit to working towards a new model of Internet governance."

The commission warned that internet may lose its ability to support innovation if proper steps are not initiated to secure it.

The report said that governments should not allow companies to become their enforcement arms.

Companies should also disclose the amount of content being restricted or blocked in response to requests by governments by publishing transparency reports.

The report added consumers should have a greater choice in allowing the "free" service providers to use their personal data.

The commission said: "There should be continued evolution in open, broadly-based multi-stakeholder Internet governance process to ensure one, unified global Internet."