ISOC SIG Application

​​Background Information

Name of Topic: *

Meta-Layer Infrastructure

Contact E-mail *

sig@themetalayer.org

Short Topic Description: *

Describe what you plan to do? 25 words max.

Building a shared civic layer in the browser - where highlights, notes, and context live - to give people more trust, safety, and community governance online.

Introduction Section: *

What is the topic you are proposing, the objectives, and what is its global significance? 300 words max.

This response is required.

The Meta-Layer is the space in your browser where extra information appears such as pop-ups, highlights, or live indicators. Today, these elements are controlled by private companies. They shape how we see information, who we trust, and how we interact online but without transparency or public governance.

Our proposal is to create public digital infrastructure for this shared space, so that the communities (not just platforms) can help determine how trust, context, and accountability travel across the web.

This SIG will:

• Define and steward the 21 Desirable Properties of a human-centered Meta-Layer. This framework was developed after Vint Cerf, ISOC co-founder, challenged us in 2024 to articulate what a trustworthy Meta-Layer should look like. The properties cover accessibility, transparency, multilingualism, safety, and accountability.

• Develop civic use cases, such as AI transparency, community annotation, and composable trust signals.

• Build shared standards for overlays and presence tools so that different communities and regions can adapt them to their needs.

• Serve as a global hub for pilots, research, and policy insights at the interface level.

This SIG matters to Internet Society members because it:

• Brings people-powered governance into digital interfaces.

• Creates new leadership roles for public interest technologists, especially youth.

• Advances multilingual, low-bandwidth, and accessible participation.

• Provides an alternative to today’s extractive and unaccountable interface design patterns.

Globally, the browser has become the de facto civic space. By establishing this SIG, the Internet Society will lead the effort to make that space open, inclusive, and trustworthy.

This SIG is intentionally youth-led, with a guarantee that at least 3 of the 6 board members will always be under 25. Already, it is drawing interest from young technologists and advocates outside ISOC, creating a pathway to expand the Society’s membership and global influence.

Supporting Internet Society's Mission: *

How does the topic support the Internet Society’s vision and mission? Describe why the topic is of interest to Internet Society Members. 300 words max.

The Internet Society stands for an open, globally-connected, secure, and trustworthy Internet for everyone. The Meta-Layer SIG embodies this vision by creating open tools for transparency, safety, and consent in the most widely used Internet interface: the browser.

Beyond governance, this SIG serves as a membership growth engine. Many of those drawn to the Meta-Layer vision have no prior exposure to ISOC. By engaging them, we extend ISOC’s reach into responsible tech, AI safety, and civic innovation communities, expanding ISOC’s base with fresh energy and perspectives.

This topic resonates with Internet Society members because it:

• Brings people-powered governance to digital interfaces

• Creates new roles for public interest technologists, especially youth

• Advances multilingual, low-bandwidth, and accessible participation

• Offers an alternative to extractive design patterns and unaccountable overlays

As threats to trust and context grow, this SIG empowers members to directly shape the civic surface of the Internet itself.

Activity Section: *

Provide a brief description of the activities the group would like to carry out. e.g. Webinars? Research? Events?

• Working groups for each Desirable Property

• Webinars and community calls

• Research collaborations

• Browser pilot overlays

• Regional outreach events

• Annual review and showcase

Leadership Team

The leadership team must be geographically and gender diverse, representing at least 3 Internet Society regions. Please review the SIG Guidelines for a description of each position's requirements.

Each group will need a team comprised of a Lead Facilitator, Assistant Facilitator, Secretary, and up to three additional Members,

Lead Facilitator: *

Daveed Benjamin, USA
Founder of Bridgit and the Meta-Layer Initiative. Civic technologist, systems thinker, and interface designer. Daveed has led Internet transparency work for 15+ years and is a board member of the SF Bay Chapter.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shiftshapr

Assistant Facilitator: *

Michelle Thuo, Kenya
Youth coder and digital organizer. Michelle represents East Africa's next-gen civic tech talent and co-leads the SIG's youth onboarding strategy. A vocal advocate for safe, inclusive interface design.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellethuo/

Secretary *

Dana P. Eyre, USA
Sociologist with career level experience in conflict transformation, strategic communications, social change, and democratization. Particular focus on sensemaking, civic dialogue and participation, counter-radicalization/polarization.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dana-eyre-phd/

Additional Member #1

Ramina Tankacheyeva, Canada

Product Leader with 10+ years of experience driving innovation and excellence in the world of software as a service (SaaS) products. Experienced in creating and delivering value to customers in diverse industries, from government entities to large organizations, and across both B2C and B2B markets.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramina-tankacheyeva-mba/

Additional Member #2

Jean-Junior TOSSOU, France

Cybersecurity student, passionate about building a safer and more inclusive Internet. He believes that young people must be at the forefront of addressing today’s digital challenges and aims to contribute fresh perspectives on security, trust, and innovation within the SIG.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jean-junior-tossou-2a24b6306/

Call to Action: *

Why Should Internet Society members select this as the next topic for special interest groups? Why should they get involved? We are asking for a clear call to action. 50 words max.

Select the Meta-Layer Infrastructure SIG to ensure the Internet’s future is intergenerational, people-centered, and trustworthy. This first-ever global group for interface-level civic infrastructure will attract new members and empower young leaders to shape the Internet’s shared layer of trust and governance.