Ethical 6G – Identifying Elements of Ethical Framework for 6G and Creating Opportunities for India and Australia

Background

Increasing technological penetration has also resulted in increased cybercrimes. Cyberspace is
now being considered a zone of modern warfare, and thus cyber security is akin to national security. However, no multilateral rules prescribe any minimum standards that can guide countries in securing their cyberspace. Further, few leading countries are disproportionately shaping international discourse on the issue.

It is widely believed that the deployment of ‘reliable’ telecommunication networks is necessary
for secure and resilient cyberspace. Today, many countries are deploying the 5th Generation (5G) telecommunication technology. Movements in the 6th Generation (6G) telecommunication technology development have begun, but it is concentrated in a few leading countries. Countries like India and Australia are jointly aspiring to be forebearers in the advancement of 6G technology.

Development and deployment of 6G technology may bring in unanticipated challenges. Hence, such development should not be severed from building safe, secure and accessible cyberspace. In this regard, developing an ethical framework for this is imperative. This will be critical from the perspective of a safe, secure and accessible cyberspace and the perspective of trade and investment in the digital sphere.

Recently, India and Australia have agreed to increase bilateral cooperation in the digital economy, including cyber governance, cyber security, and cyber and critical technologies, focusing on capacity building and innovation. The India-Australia partnership has a common objective to develop an open, secure, free, accessible, stable, peaceful, and interoperable cyberspace and technologies that adhere to international law.

Therefore, this one-and-a-half-year project is being undertaken under the Australia-India Cyber and Critical Technology Partnership. The purpose of the Partnership is to shape international discourse on cyber and critical technologies. It aims to deepen institutional linkages between Australian and Indian researchers, businesses and government on cyber and critical technology issues. It will further support India and potentially other countries in the Indo-Pacific to improve their cyber resilience and foster best practices in critical technology development.

What’s New’

• Project brief