The TC-INF[*](originally called the RAP-INF) was created in 1999 in replacement of the Rapporteur Group on Information Policy (GR-I). The TC-INF was asked to continue the tasks undertaken by the GR-I which involved, inter alia, the preparation of Resolution Res(2000)2 on the Council of Europe’s information strategy. Upon adoption of that Resolution, the TC-INF was tasked to pursue his work, in co-operation with the Secretary General, with a view to its implementation (CM/Del/Dec(2000)706/1.7). The TC-INF has continued to deal with questions in the remit of information policy since that date.

In 2010, the Deputies agreed to extend the mandate of the TC-INF to cover issues relating to information society and Internet governance until the end of 2011. The new tasks of the TC-INF involve informing the Ministers’ Deputies and facilitating their decision making on matters within this thematic area, liaising with the relevant rapporteur groups (e.g. participation in the Rapporteur Group on Human Rights (GR-H) when an abridged report of the Steering Committee on the Media and New Communication Services (CDMC) covering issues relating to information society and Internet governance is considered) and interfacing with intergovernmental structures, in particular steering committees (CM/Del/Dec(2010)1095/1.4).

On 14 March 2012, the Deputies invited the TC-INF to follow closely the Council of Europe Strategy 2012-2015 on Internet Governance (CM/Del/Dec(2012)1137/1.7).

On 3 April 2013, the Deputies invited the TC-INF to:

  • follow issues relating to the information society and Internet governance within the Organisation, in particular the implementation of the Council of Europe Strategy 2012-2015 on Internet Governance;
  • promote relevant Council of Europe instruments and standards as well as co-operation with other international organisations and actors in matters related to the information society and Internet governance;
  • deal with any questions in the remit of information policy of the Council of Europe;
  • keep the Committee informed and facilitate its decision making on any matters falling within the above mandate, liaising with the relevant rapporteur groups when issues relating to this area are considered and interfacing with intergovernmental structures, in particular steering committees, as well as with the Secretariat.

On 2 December 2015, the Deputies agreed to extend the terms of office of the then incumbent TC-INF to 1 September 2017 (CM/Del/Dec(2015)1242/1.4).

On 30 March 2016, the Deputies invited their TC-INF to follow closely the implementation of the Council of Europe Strategy on Internet Governance 2016-2019 (CM/Del/Dec(2016)1252/1.6).

On 4 October 2017,  the Deputies invited the TC-INF to follow closely the co-operation between the Council of Europe and Internet and telecommunications companies. (CM/Del/Dec(2017)1296/1.6)

On 4 May 2022, the Deputies invited the TC-INF to follow closely the implementation of the Council of Europe digital agenda 2022-2025 on “Protecting human rights, democracy and the rule of law in the digital environment” (CM/Del/Dec(2022)1433/1.7).

On 10 January 2024, in the light of the Reykjavík Declaration and their discussions, the Deputies agreed to invite the TC-INF to make proposals for improving the transparency of their documentation and to report back (CM/Del/Dec(2024)1485/1.6).