# [IGF 2026 WS #114 Why Infrastructure & Content Moderation Shouldn't Mix](https://intgovforum.org/en/content/igf-2026-ws-114-why-infrastructure-content-moderation-shouldnt-mix)

## Description

We often associate 'content moderation' with posts being blocked or taken down by social media companies. However, they are not the only ones playing a role in content governance: infrastructure providers at lower levels of the internet 'stack' also act as gatekeepers for content - whether through their internal decision making processes or in compliance with requests from various actors. Particularly when it comes to the Domain Name System (DNS), the 'address book' of the internet, such actions can have a chilling effect on freedom of expression online.

Stakeholders are ordering domain suspensions as a solution to block access to a wide range of content, ranging from copyright infringement to independent media coverage. Concurrently, AI is accelerating the scale and scope of abuse via the DNS. The problem is that the only action these operators can take is inherently broad: to target content on a particular webpage, they must block all webpages using the same domain. This approach is like damming a river to catch a few fish. This is particularly worrying given that the relationship between domain suspension orders and freedom of expression is not broadly understood.

With policymakers already debating new regulations to curb this abuse via the DNS, there is an urgent need for multistakeholder dialogue on the governance of this critical infrastructure. The session proposal also directly applies to the IGF 2026 theme as it speaks to governing digital infrastructure in the Age of Intelligence.

The DNS was designed to enable access to information - not stifle it. We have a shared responsibility to ensure it stays that way. We therefore propose convening a cross-regional group of experts to introduce the topic to the IGF community, exchange perspectives and collaborate on potential solutions to balance safety and security needs with human rights safeguards.

## Policy Question(s)

A. What is the role of governments versus that of domain operators when it comes to balancing freedom of expression and DNS abuse mitigation? What role can civil society play?
B. How can regulatory policy aimed at DNS abuse mitigation integrate human rights protections and safeguards?
C. What lessons from policy regulating other areas of the internet (such as platform or AI governance) could be applied to policy regulating the DNS?

## Expected Outcomes

Participants will gain a more nuanced understanding of the invisible yet significant role that digital infrastructure plays in the availability and dissemination of information online, and specifically, with more technical expertise when it comes to the DNS. The session also involves collaboratively developing policy recommendations for regulating the use of infrastructure for the purposes of content moderation. Participants can then bring this new expertise and recommendations to their national and regional contexts. Given the trend of using the DNS for content moderation and censorship is a global one, the session will serve as a stepping-stone for building broader stakeholder capacity to engage in new and ongoing complex regulatory and technical discussions on the responsibility of infrastructure providers, government, and civil society when it comes to addressing abuse via the DNS while ensuring human rights safeguards remain intact.

## Format

Roundtable
**Duration (minutes):** 60
**Format description:** Given the session will cover a complex technical topic, the panel format with a roundtable layout that allows for subject matter experts to first provide an introduction to the topic is best suited for our session aims. With this format, our speakers have the space to provide a comprehensive overview of what the DNS and how it works in an approachable manner before delving into key regulatory challenges and opportunities. Finally, given this is a topic that audience members may not be well-versed in prior to the session, this format facilitates an open dialogue that invites audience engagement through questions and interventions.

## Hybrid Format

**Hybrid Format:** ARTICLE 19 and DotAsia (.Asia) have extensive experience facilitating and organizing hybrid meetings, including the Asia Pacific Regional Internet Governance Forum (APrIGF), the Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum (DRIF), and Global Gathering, among many other events. The hybrid IGF session will have an in-person moderator with a mixture of in-person and online speakers. The session will have a traditional A/V set up on-site, including Zoom participation and any IGF platform tools. The DotAsia team will support in-person with ARTICLE 19 supporting remotely to facilitate comments, questions and answers from the participants. Questions for discussion will be shared, along with findings from ARTICLE 19's DNS abuse case study, for participants' reaction and feedback.

## Organizers

**Organizer 1:** Edmon Chung, 🔒DotAsia
**Organizer 2:** Evin Erdogdu, DotAsia Organisation
**Organizer 3:** Michaela Shapiro, ARTICLE 19

## Speakers

**Speaker 1:** Polina Malaja, Technical Community, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
**Speaker 2:** Christabel Mebaghandu, Civil Society, African Group
**Speaker 3:** Edmon Chung, Technical Community, Asia-Pacific Group
**Speaker 4:** Michaela Shapiro, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)

## Moderator

Edmon Chung, Technical Community, Asia-Pacific Group

## Online Moderator

Michaela Shapiro, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)

## Rapporteur

Michaela Shapiro, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)

## Participant Benefits

What will participants gain from attending this session?

## SDGs

9.1
9.a
9.c
10.2
10.3
16.10
16.3
16.6