On 25 November 2016, an informal brainstorming event opened a Council of Europe – Internet business partnership as a call to Internet companies to work together on shared values, and analyse possibilities for co-operation in areas as varied as hate speech, terrorism, cybercrime and child protection.  The event was opened by Mr Jan Kleijssen, Director of Information Society and Action against Crime of the Council of Europe.

The discussions among participants focused on main challenges for Internet companies in respecting human rights and the rule of law, the Council of Europe frameworks and the advantages for participating companies, as well as their needs and expectations vis-à-vis Council of Europe member and observer states.