Policy Brief – Digital Futures: Accountability for online platforms

Aotearoa New Zealand and the European Union have a strong relationship, developed over many years and built on a shared foundation of mutual values. As part of its commitment to this relationship, the Delegation of the European Union to New Zealand hosts a series of Policy Futures seminars, exploring a range of topics of shared interest. On 30 August 2023, the third Policy Futures seminar was held on the topic of accountability for online platforms. The seminar was co-hosted with the Brainbox Institute, and Victoria University of Wellington – Te Herenga Waka.

This policy brief has been prepared by the Brainbox Institute to capture key insights and themes from the discussion, as well as identifying potential avenues for reciprocal engagement and collaboration between the European Union and New Zealand, in particular based on a mutual commitment to the role of nongovernmental actors and civil society in conversations about online governance and content regulation. The discussion was a valuable opportunity to explore areas of further engagement between the European Union and New Zealand in global discussions on the impact of digital technologies. All parties expressed an interest in advancing the discussion further in future engagements, and the benefits of global cooperation in this area.