The Internet Society community works tirelessly to defend the Internet locally, regionally, and globally. Here’s a brief snapshot of what’s been happening over the last month around the world.
By the Numbers
• 134,758 individual members
• 120 active chapters
• 9 Special Interest Groups and Standing Groups (SIGs/SGs)
• 77 organization members
Chapter Highlights
🇳🇮 Nicaragua
Find out how the Nicaragua Chapter opened a Digital Community Center in Reparto La Virgen Nueva. Having suffered limited access to technology and digital resources for years, the community now has a strong and stable Internet connection that everyone can take advantage of.
🇰🇪 Kenya
Read about how an alumni of the Internet Society’s Designing and Deploying Computer Networks (DDCN) pilot program in Nairobi went on to empower local women with technical knowledge, new skills, and increased opportunities.
Anniversaries
🇱🇾 Congratulations to the Libya Chapter, which celebrated its first anniversary in January 2025.
🇲🇦 Congratulations to our Morocco Chapter, the longest-running chapter in Africa, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Watch the celebratory video.
Chapter, SIG, and SG News
🇨🇩 Democratic Republic of Congo Chapter published an open letter expressing concern over the ongoing Internet shutdown in the province of North Kivu since 25 January 2025. The shutdown was mandated due to the conflict in the city of Goma. Read more about this Internet shutdown on Internet Society Pulse.
🇩🇴 Dominican Republic Chapter presented a document at the Annual Assembly of the ITU Partner2Connect initiative in Geneva, Switzerland, highlighting improvements to the IX.do infrastructure and promoting the High-Speed Network for Research and Education in the Dominican Republic.
🇮🇳 India Hyderabad Chapter attended the inauguration of the Students’ Academic Hub at VNR VJIET. The hub is a chapter supported initiative to inspire students to embark on a journey of learning and professional growth. During the evening, chapter delegates gave an overview of the training and development opportunities offered by the Internet Society.
🇸🇸 South Sudan Chapter defended against the government’s blocking of all social media sites by publishing an open letter, urging leaders to address the issue of harmful content without compromising the fundamental rights of citizens. Read more about this Internet shutdown on Internet Society Pulse.
🇱🇧🇱🇸🇨🇦🇵🇾🇿🇼 The Internet Society Foundation’s Sustainable Peering Infrastructure program grantees include the Lebanon, Lesotho, Manitoba, Paraguay, and Zimbabwe Chapters—congratulations to all! Find out more about how this program works with local communities to build and enhance Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) and support organizations and communities that develop peering and interconnection.
🤖 The AI SIG held its Artificial Intelligence Event in January. Take a look at this insightful video, which explores groundbreaking advancements in AI and their impact on shaping the future.
🪐 The Interplanetary Network Special Interest Group (IPNSIG) held an IPNSIG Academy event—How to Benefit Today from Future Interplanetary Internet Infrastructure: Why and How to Join IPNSIG’s Project Working Group. Catch up on the recording.
🇸🇪 Sweden Chapter responded to a government call for input on the country’s data retention policy, alongside two other local NGOs. View their response.
🏴 UK England Chapter and Internet Society submitted a joint response to the UK Home Office consultation on Codes of Conduct in IPAA, noting that the proposed Codes of Conduct do not address specific serious flaws in the legislation.