A/67/326 III. Use of the Internet for propagating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance A. Key trends 14. According to an estimate by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), in 2011 the number of Internet users in the world reached 2.4 billion. 1 The Internet has indeed become a global and public online space for exchanging information and ideas. In existence since the 1960s, this new form of communication has evolved into an unprecedented communication tool with rapid and global outreach. 15. Unlike traditional forms of communication and information technologies, the Internet has a tremendous capacity to transmit and disseminate information instantly to different parts of the world; it enables users to access and provide content with relative anonymity; materials and content available on the Internet can be shared across national borders and can be hosted in different countries with different legal regimes. The Internet offers countless benefits for almost all aspects of modern life. Regrettably, owing to its unique characteristics, the Internet can and is also being used to propagate racist and xenophobic content and incite racial hatred and violence. 16. In paragraph 14 of General Assembly resolution 66/144 on global efforts for the total elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and the comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, the Assembly, on the basis of the conclusions and recommendations of the previous Special Rapporteur (see A/66/312 and A/66/313), called upon all States, in accordance with the commitments undertaken in paragraph 147 of the Programme of Action, to take all measures necessary to combat incitement to violence motivated by racial hatred, including through the misuse of print, audiovisual and electronic media and new communications technologies, and, in collaboration with service providers, to promote the use of such technologies, including the Internet, to contribute to the fight against racism, in conformity with international standards of freedom of expression and taking all measures necessary to guarantee that right. Furthermore, in the Durban Declaration, States expressed their deep concern about the use of new information technologies, such as the Internet, for purposes contrary to respect for human values, equality, non-discrimination, respect for others and tolerance, including to propagate racism, racial hatred, xenophobia, racial discrimination and related intolerance, and that, in particular, children and youth having access to this material could be negatively influenced by it. 2 17. The increasing use of electronic telecommunication technologies, such as electronic mail and the Internet by right-wing extremist groups and racist organizations in their transborder communications and exchange of racist materials was first observed in the mid-1990s (see E/CN.4/1995/78 and A/51/301). The then Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, __________________ 1 2 6 International Telecommunication Union, Internet users, Key global telecom indicators for the world telecommunication service sector, updated 16 November 2011. Available from http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/statistics/at_glance/KeyTelecom.html. A/CONF.189/12 and Corr.1, chap. I, para. 91. 12-46982