This is the public report on the 2018/2019 independent assessments of 11 member companies of the Global Network Initiative (GNI): Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Millicom, Nokia, Orange, Telefónica, Telenor Group, Telia Company, Verizon Media, and Vodafone Group... This cycle of assessments provides a window into how a growing number of companies from across the ICT sector are exercising their responsibility to uphold the rule of law and respect the freedom of expression and privacy rights... Based on a review of the assessment materials, the GNI Board may make recommendations to a company regarding alternative approaches to the implementation of the GNI Principles... During this assessment cycle, the GNI Board made a total of five recommendations to four companies.

... Creating an enabling environment... will require the efforts of governments, companies, and other key actors including investors, academics, and civil society organizations inside and outside GNI... states committed to human rights must lead by example;... companies across the ICT sector should embrace their responsibilities under the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and use the GNI Principles and Implementation Guidelines to integrate freedom of expression and privacy rights into their operations;... [and] companies and states should not address these threats and challenges on their own.