ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, 28 November (IPS) – The upcoming consultation on the Global Digital Compact offers a unique opportunity to ensure that human rights in the digital world are protected in accordance with international standards. international common standards.
The United Nations has proposed a Global Digital Compacta set of common principles for our digital future, expected to be agreed upon by Member States in September 2024. The treaty is expected to “outline common principles for an open, free and secure digital future for all”, and the consultation process was conducted by UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Technology offers a unique opportunity to ensure that these principles are rooted in human rights law and underpinned by a feminist, anti-discrimination analysis.
This is not the first time a range of countries has contributed to a document that outlines a better direction in the digital world. The Statement on the future of the Internet outlines priorities for an “open, free, global, interoperable, trusted and secure” Internet, and establishes a code of practice for how nation-states should act. movement in the digital sector. 61 countries have signed on, and while this is a welcome step, it highlights that the world’s current patchwork of laws and policies is failing to adequately protect and promote human rights online. full.
The statement envisions a well-managed digital domain in which human rights and democracy are protected, privacy is protected, freedom of expression is respected and censorship is condemned.
But all of this cannot be achieved just by making a statement of intent. Our human rights also apply in the digital world and our digital rights must be protected by law.
Internet – a tool that brings great benefits and great harm
Early predictions of how the Internet would remove barriers and unleash freedoms, connect people globally and help achieve freedom, democracy and equality, have only been partially realized.
While the Internet is a vehicle for much good, it has also become a powerful tool for harm, including facilitating the dissemination of disinformation, surveillance and polarization, and with an explosion of online crime, harassment and abuse.
Digital dividends don’t benefit everyone the way they should, and the façade of the digital world most people see conceals a rife with exploitative and often overlooked work. underpaid.
The uneven application of regulations across jurisdictions and the continued use of voluntary standards and principles for the private sector has resulted in multinational technology companies being largely self-regulatory. correction. But they have failed to stop the growing wave of harmful stories, hate speech and misinformation that is poisoning our digital ecosystem. We need to rethink how we ensure that the Internet and digital technologies are available, secure and accessible to all.
Calling for Universal Digital Rights
To achieve a well-regulated digital sector, international women’s rights organizations equality now and Women Lead in AI is calling for universal digital rights, rooted in human rights law and underpinned by an anti-discrimination analysis and feminist-related information. Clearly articulating how human rights are applied in cyberspace will ensure accountability by governments and companies.
Several laws and regulations exist, especially regarding data privacy and freedom of expression. What is needed, however, is a unified understanding of basic digital rights.
Providing clarity on what constitutes universal digital rights will address the serious current failures arising from the misuse of the Internet and digital technology. It will protect people from human rights abuses that fall outside the scope of applicable law, such as the way laws are applied in the virtual world of Metaverse. And it will foster an inclusive digital landscape, including promoting equitable and affordable access to the Internet and digital technology.
Clarity on universal digital rights will address existing challenges around protecting a person’s “digital copy” – their digital representation. It will ensure reliable Artificial Intelligence and solve the current uneven and ineffective regulations of the Internet.
Human rights also apply in the digital world and our digital rights must be protected by law
Achieving universal digital rights is ambitious in scope, but the only way to truly ensure a fair Internet and the use of digital technologies is through international, multidisciplinary cooperation. Just as individual country efforts can never solve the worldwide environmental crisis, neither can we rely on individual country-specific laws and policies to guide us, regulate and care for its global digital ecosystem.
The fact that more than fifty countries have signed the Declaration on the Future of the Internet is a sign that, even in times of geopolitical uncertainty like today, there is a desire to rally behind an ideal of how The digital world should function. The Digital Global Compact offers the opportunity to realize this ideal on a global level.
Diverse voices need to be heard and contributed to the global and multi-stakeholder discussions on how we will achieve universal digital rights. Here’s Why Equality Right Now and Women Leading in AI Are join Internet Governance Forum 2022 in Addis Ababa and very excited connect with others who want to co-create legal, ethical and technical solutions to address current and future harms in the digital realm.
We want to ensure that the views of women, girls and other discriminated groups from every corner of the world are included in the consultation on the Global Digital Compact for the Internet and Technology. Some work for the benefit of the people, not against them.
Emma Gibson is Campaign Leader, Global Digital Rights, for Equality Today.
For media inquiries, please contact: Tara Carey, Equality Now Global Head of Media, E: [email protected]; M: +447971556340 (WhatsApp)
Equality Now is a feminist organization that uses the law to protect and promote the human rights of all women and girls. Since 1992, an international network of lawyers, activists and advocates has held governments accountable for ending legal inequality, sexual exploitation, and violence. sex and harmful behaviors.
For more details go to www.equalnow.orgFacebook @equalnoworgLinkedIn equality nowand Twitter @equalnow.
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