The Internet Hall of Fame is an annual awards program that has been established by the Internet Society to publicly recognize a distinguished and select group of visionaries, leaders and luminaries who have made significant contributions to the development and advancement of the global Internet. An open nomination process allows anyone to submit suggested choices. Nominee applications are reviewed and screened by the Internet Society to ensure they meet the nomination criteria and eligibility. The Internet Hall of Fame Advisory Board is responsible for the final selection of inductees. See video and print coverage of the following Hall of Fame inductions:
- The 2012 Internet Hall of Fame Induction
- The 2013 Internet Hall of Fame Induction
- The 2014 Internet Hall of Fame Induction
- The 2017 Internet Hall of Fame Induction
- The 2019 Internet Hall of Fame Induction
The Internet Society states that its mission is to promote the open development, evolution and use of the Internet for the benefit of all people throughout the world. It lists the following as its active roles:
- Facilitate open development of the standards, protocols, administration and technical infrastructure of the Internet.
- Support education, in developing countries specifically and wherever the need exists.
- Promote professional development and build community to foster participation and leadership in areas important to the evolution of the Internet.
- Provide reliable information about the Internet.
- Provide forums for discussion of issues that affect Internet evolution, development and use in technical, commercial, societal and other contexts.
- Foster an environment for international cooperation, community and a culture that enables self-governance to work.
- Serve as a focal point for cooperative efforts to promote the Internet as a positive tool to benefit all people throughout the world.
- Provide management and coordination for on-strategy initiatives and outreach efforts in humanitarian, educational, societal and other contexts.