What are Digital Rights? And how do they Impact You?
Digital rights encompass a range of issues at the intersection of human rights, technology, and social justice. Some of these issues are widely recognized, such as online surveillance, censorship, and disinformation, while others are still emerging, including the societal impact of artificial intelligence.
At their core, digital rights are an extension of human rights in the technological era. This relatively new concept has gained prominence as our societies increasingly rely on the internet and digital communication platforms to navigate daily life.
Initially, digital rights were centered on issues like freedom of expression, internet freedom, and the right to privacy in the context of digital technologies, particularly the internet. Over time, the scope of has expanded to include internet accessibility, digital equity, digital literacy, digital labor rights, and more, reflecting the evolving ways technology shapes our lives.
Digital Rights are human rights! They are reflective of the rights we are entitled to as citizens as we conduct more of our lives online, from freedom of expression to privacy.
The fight for digital rights affects everyone, but especially the most vulnerable and marginalized communities around the globe.
This includes, for example, LGBTQ populations in countries where it is both illegal and dangerous to be themselves, investigative journalists in all countries, women and children who experience harassment and discrimination online, different movements who are being surveilled or censored online because of their activism, and digital gig workers under precarious conditions, among many other groups.
The 2023 edition of the Freedom on the Net report found that AI has allowed governments to enhance and refine their online censorship
Citizens’ Across the Globe are Facing More Digital Challenges and Security Risks
In recent years, authoritarian governments and bad actors have invested more money and energy into using the Internet and communication platforms to attack, punish, silence and spread information.
They primarily do this through both surveilling and censoring people online, using tactics such as online harassment and limiting internet access, as well as passing laws that criminalize freedom of expression, and the use of encryption technologies that keep users private and secure. In certain regions, challenges can even include complete Internet blackouts during elections, demonstrations, or key moments where governments want to silence their people or stop the spreading of information.
As an example, in recent years, more governments have implemented full or partial Internet shutdowns to control their citizens. In Iran, following the protests in response to the murder of Mahsa (Jina*) Amini, the government cut off internet access and blocked social media.
Issues related to citizens’ digital rights continue to increase as authoritarianism across the globe continues to grow. Currently, only 15% of the world’s population is living in an open society.
In addition, we are seeing how technology continues to bring new issues sitting at the intersection of human rights and technology, from invasive ads that track our behavior, to disinformation, to facial recognition technologies, and much more. In most recent years, we also begin to see the rise of new types of workers coming out of digital economies that are facing harsh labor conditions. These emerging challenges to our rights will continue to evolve and rise as more people join the Internet, and our societies become more dependent on technology.
Who are the People Working on Digital Rights?
There is an emerging field and community working on protecting digital rights that come from all regions, disciplines, and backgrounds. These individuals - also known as digital rights defenders - work to protect activists, journalists and civil societies from these new attacks and risks brought on by the use of technology as a weapon of harm by these authoritarian and nefarious actors.
However, they are experiencing historic levels of demand, toppled resource challenges and, in some instances, burnout. Needless to say, the lack of digital rights defenders to properly address these issues is also alarming, much of this is because of the specialized technological skill needed to work on these next-generation issues.
The importance of the Digital Rights Defenders
Digital Rights Defenders are, in essence, the "defenders of the defenders," playing a vital role in safeguarding the individuals and organizations that protect fundamental freedoms in the digital age. Their efforts ensure the resilience of civil society, independent journalism, and advocacy groups operating in increasingly hostile environments.
The urgency for robust support and services to strengthen the digital rights community has never been greater. This community forms the backbone of efforts to counter online censorship, surveillance, and the erosion of privacy and free expression. Without sufficient resources, strategic coordination, and holistic care, the ability of civil society and journalism to resist mounting authoritarian pressures is in serious jeopardy.
A weakened or fragmented digital rights community risks exposing global civil society and journalism to further fragility. Such vulnerabilities pave the way for the rise of authoritarianism, a deeper erosion of media freedom, suppression of free expression, and more frequent and successful attacks on groups fighting oppression and injustice.
Investing in the digital rights community is not merely an act of supporting human rights—it is a critical measure for preserving democratic values and ensuring civil society's capacity to hold power to account. In a world increasingly shaped by technology, digital rights defenders are indispensable allies in the fight for justice, equity, and a sustainable future for al
Check out the Community Series of the diverse projects working on digital rights and digital security for CSOs.
Want to join the movement? Check out job openings in the Digital Rights field.