Digital rights, closely linked to freedom of expression and privacy, are those that allow people to access, use, create and publish digital media, as well as access and use computers, other electronic devices and communications networks. Digital rights are an extension of human rights for the Internet age.

Digital technologies provide new means to advocate for, defend, and exercise human rights and affect all types of rights - civil and political, as well as cultural, economic and social rights. They shape how people access and share information, form their opinions, debate, and mobilise – they have deeply transformed the “public square”.

But they are equally used to suppress, limit and violate rights, for instance through surveillance, censorship, online harassment, algorithmic bias and automated decision-making systems.

​

The misuse of digital technologies also disproportionately affects marginalised individuals and groups, leading to inequality and discrimination - both online and offline.

Digital technologies provide new means to advocate for, defend, and exercise human rights and affect all types of rights - civil and political, as well as cultural, economic and social rights. They shape how people access and share information, form their opinions, debate, and mobilise – they have deeply transformed the “public square”. But they are equally used to suppress, limit and violate rights, for instance through surveillance, censorship, online harassment, algorithmic bias and automated decision-making systems. The misuse of digital technologies also disproportionately affects marginalised individuals and groups, leading to inequality and discrimination - both online and offline.

​Latest UN reports

A/HRC/51/17

The right to privacy in the digital age (2022)

The report discusses recent trends and challenges concerning the right to privacy. The report focuses, in particular, on: (a) the abuse of intrusive hacking tools; (b) the key role of encryption in ensuring the enjoyment of the right to privacy and other rights; and (c) wide-spread monitoring of public spaces. It highlights the risk of creating systems of pervasive surveillance and control that may undermine the development of vibrant and rights[1] respecting societies. This report focuses on the multifaceted impacts of the steadily growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) on the enjoyment of the right to privacy and associated rights. It stresses the urgent need for a moratorium on the sale and use of AI systems that pose a serious risk to human rights until adequate safeguards are put in place. It also calls for AI applications that cannot be used in compliance with international human rights law to be banned.

A/HRC/48/31

The right to privacy in the digital age (2021)

This report focuses on the multifaceted impacts of the steadily growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) on the enjoyment of the right to privacy and associated rights. It stresses the urgent need for a moratorium on the sale and use of AI systems that pose a serious risk to human rights until adequate safeguards are put in place. It also calls for AI applications that cannot be used in compliance with international human rights law to be banned.

A/HRC/44/24

The impact of new technologies on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of assemblies, including peaceful protests (2020)

Among other aspects, this report discusses the human rights impacts of various surveillance practices and calls for a moratorium on the use of facial recognition technology in the context of peaceful assemblies.

A/HRC/39/29

The right to privacy in the digital age (2018)

This report explores how to address some of the pressing challenges that the right to privacy faces in the digital age, highlights the most significant current trends, and covers the obligations of States and business enterprises, safeguards and oversight. The report identifies key elements for data privacy frameworks that should be adopted by States and business enterprises.