Human Rights in digital era are about protecting and exercising human rights in online spaces. The advent of the digital era has brought unprecedented opportunities for communications, expression, and access to information. Human rights include the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to work and education. Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status.

Digitalization, which in a broad sense represents the legal, political, economic, cultural, social, and political changes caused by the use of digital tools and technologies, covers the private and public spheres, revives us understanding of and research into human rights in a horizontal dimension, and influences the revision of their anthropological foundations.

In an era characterized by unprecedent technological advancement, the digital landscape has become intrinsic to the fabric of contemporary society. As individuals increasingly traverse online spaces, issues such as online censorship, freedom of expression, surveillance laws, and the right to privacy have emerged as focal points in the discourse surrounding human rights law. In this extended blog, we will delve deeper into these topics, exploring the intricacies, challenges, and opportunities of upholding human rights in the digital era

1. Right to Privacy and Data Protection:

   It involves the ability to control the collection, storage, and sharing of personal data. The right to privacy is a fundamental human right that protects personal dignity and life. Data protection laws are important to protect individuals from cyber threats, fraud, and theft. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a landmark law that revolutionized data protection and privacy laws. The right to privacy is enshrined in Article 12 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
   
   However, in the digital era, personal data has become a commodity. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 gives individuals control over their personal data, including the right to erase their personal information, designate who can receive their data, and seek redress for grievances. To protect your privacy, you can use privacy-enhancing tools like:
   • Virtual private networks (VPNs)
   • Ad blockers
   • Encrypted messaging services
      

2. Freedom of Expression and Censorship:

   The internet has reduced barriers to communication. It is a great enabler of the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression. Freedom of expression is necessary for the attainment of truth and individual fulfillment. You have the right to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas of your choice without interference and regardless of frontiers. It means you have the freedom to express yourself online and access information and the opinions and expressions of others.
   
   The digital space has become a powerful platform for free speech, as outlined in Article 12 of UDHR. Censorship can be used to manipulate political views or prevent people from accessing information that could inform their views. Governments often suppress dissenting voices under the guise of national security or public order. Countries like China and North Korea implement heavy internet censorship. Social media companies face challenges balancing free expression with controlling hate speech, fake news, and harmful content. Freedom of expression is not absolute and can be limited in certain circumstances.
   
   Some common limitations include:
   • Libel
   • Slander
   • Obscenity
   • Pornography
   • Hate speech
      
   Freedom of expression is important for many reasons, including:
   • It's necessary to find the truth
   • It's important for personal growth
   • It's a key part of democracy and political participation
      

3. Digital Divide and Equality:

   It is the gap in access to digital technology between different demographics and regions. It can lead to inequality in access to information and resources, which can have a negative impact on people's lives in many ways:
   • People without digital skills may have lower earnings over time
   • Women are less likely to use the internet than men, and this gap is even wider in least developed countries
   • People without access to the internet may be isolated, which can affect their mental health
   • As more postsecondary education moves online, people without access to the internet may be at a disadvantage
   Inequality in access to the internet and ICT is known as the digital divide. In 2023, 70% of men used the internet, compared to 65% of women. Some 17% more women worldwide are offline than men, according to the ITU report.
   
   To close the digital divide, some recommend:
   • Providing affordable, robust broadband internet services
   • Providing internet-enabled devices
   • Using 5G fixed wireless, fiber, and satellite to deliver connectivity
   • Providing quality technical support
   • Providing access to digital literacy training.
      

4. Cybersecurity and Human Security:

   Human security is a paradigm for understanding global vulnerabilities whose proponents challenge the traditional notion of national security through military security by arguing that the proper referent for security should be at the human rather than the national level.
   • Individuals, governments, and organizations face threats from hackers, identity theft, and ransomware attacks
   • Tools like spyware can be misused to target journalists, activists, and dissenters, as seen in cases involving software like Pegasus
   • International cooperation is needed to establish legal norms for cybersecurity and safeguard humans online
   In simple words, cybersecurity is the protection and defense of devices, systems, and networks connected to the internet from malicious actors, such as cybercriminals and hackers. Cybersecurity primarily focuses on defending assets. However, some aspects focus on attacking first.
    

5. The Right to Be Forgotten:

   The right to be forgotten is also known as the right to erasure. The GDPR gives individuals the right to ask organizations to delete their personal data. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) governs how personal data can be collected, erased and processed. After the 2014 judgement from the EU Court of justice, the right to be forgotten which received a lot of press, set the precedent for the right of erasure provision contained in the GDPR.

Balancing this right with public interest remains a challenge. In the digital age, the internet remembers everything, which can hinder a person's right to move on from past mistakes.

Conclusion
Due to evolving of technology, it is crucial to ensure that human rights are not compromised in this digital era or age. To prioritize human dignity, freedom, and equality in the digital world governments, civil society and private sector must collaborate to create regulatory frameworks.

In 21st century ensuring privacy, bridging the digital divide, and addressing emerging risks will be key to safeguarding human rights. Written By:

• Priyanka Sharma
• Priyawrat Singh