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As a contingency measure, network traffic was redirected to a backup website hosted in another geographical region. ITU has noted a significant increase in network traffic generated by the worldwide attention around WCIT-12, and in particular, the public interest in conference documents and webcasts of conference proceedings. Some performance degradation was experienced for two hours before normal operation was restored.

The incident blocked civil society, media and other interested parties from following the proceedings, and prevented access to the wealth of online information on the ITU’s WCIT home page and Newsroom. Some delegates were frustrated at being unable to access some of the online working documents that were being considered by the meeting. However, a spirit of camaraderie prevailed, with those who had access to up-to-date online versions of the texts willingly sharing with other delegates in order to keep discussions moving forward. Some hacker groups are claiming responsibility.

In line with ITU’s commitment to environmental responsibility, WCIT-12 is a paperless conference, with delegates able to access the updated versions of all texts via an online platform. The decision to dispense with six-language paper copies of the hundreds of proposals up for discussion is saving an estimated 250,000kg of CO2 equivalent emissions. While further technical measures have been put in place today to ensure the online system continues to function, the conference can revert to paper processing if necessary, to ensure discussions proceed according to the tight timetable set for negotiation of the new treaty.

WCIT-12 conference is being held to renegotiate the International Telecommunication Regulations (ITRs), a binding global treaty that facilitates global interconnection and interoperability of information and communication services. Some 2,000 delegates and over 100 local and international press are working on the event at the Dubai World Trade Centre, which is taking place from 3-14 December. Up to 2,000 people per session are following the live and archived multilingual webcasts of the event, with an additional estimated Twitter exposure of over 35 million people via the WCIT hashtags by the start of the conference.

ITU Secretary-General Dr Hamadoun Touré said threats made against the conference by cyber criminal groups fly in the face of the principles of freedom of expression and unfettered access to information that the WCIT-12 conference has been at pains to defend. “It is ironic that the very people who claim to be fighting for a free Internet are preventing those around the world trying to follow the event online from getting access. Do they believe in one rule for them, and one for everyone else?”