Rights Online

I. Catalogue  [Click to Jump to Section]

  1. Overarching Principles
    2.
  2. Privacy in the Digital Age
    3.
  3. Freedom of Expression in the Digital Age
    4.
  4. Netizen Awareness
    5.
  5. Conclusion: Role of Education
    6.

II. Overarching Principles

  1. Individuals should recognize that the same rights that people have offline must also be protected online.
  2. Education should bring awareness of individuals’ rights and responsibilities associated with their digital activities.
  3. Individuals should have a knowledge of how to protect their rights.

III. Rights to Privacy in the Digital Age

“No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.” --Article 12 UDHR

1. Reconsider the meanings of these terms: family, home, correspondence in the online world

A. Family
i. The privacy of individuals’ family members, as expressed in family life:
When individuals post family photos or information about their family activities online, they should be conscious of the potential threats to not only their privacy but also their family members' privacy. Always ask for family members' permission before sharing their photos.
B. Home
i. Extending broad protection to personal space other than one’s residence
arrow down ii. An individual’s home may now encompass virtual spaces, such as social media websites and email inboxes
C. Correspondence
i. include all electronic forms of communication, such as electronic mail and instant messages
ii. include METADATA
* what is metadata?

Metadata = "data about data."
Metadata is data that provides information about other data.

Examples of metadata:
-Your IP address
-Your location
-Your device information
-The date the file/image was created
...

2. Role of Education

Only if individuals have a basic knowledge of their rights to privacy and the threats to their online privacy, they can take actions to protect themselves.

Click here to learn more about the rights to privacy in the digital age...

IV. Rights to Freedom of Expression in the Digital Age

“Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.” --Article 19 UDHR

1. Reconceptualize these terms: without interference, regardless of frontiers in the online world

A. Regarless of frontier
i. *For the most part, there is no boundaries/frontiers in the online world
arrow down      an universal access to education on rights online

   *internet acesss is a human rights. Basic internet access is not enough. We need universal connectivity.
Internet connectivity is not universal?
  1. This is Cuba's Netflix, Hulu, and Spotify – all without the internet
  2. Inequalities Amplified By COVID-19 Highlight Internet Access As Privilege | NBC News NOW
B. Without interference
i. Education as a solution to warn against censorship while provide methods for individuals to protect    themselves

2. Role of Education

a. Indivisuals should have a clear understanding that internet access is a human rights

b. Warn against censorship while teach individuals how to protect themselves

    i. Warn against censorship while address online abuse and harassment

  • Individuals should have the ability to control and define their online experiences.
        For example, they should know how to use tools that permit them to block specific individuals, control their     privacy, or tailor their interactions to protect themselves against abusive behavior.

    •     ii. Warn against censorship while address misinformation

  • Individuals should have the ability to identify rustworthy accounts/sources of information to avoid      misinformation.
    • Click here to learn more about the rights to freedom of expression in the digital age...

    V. Netizen Awareness

    1. Often being a digital citizen/user = being a consumer
      2. arrow down To maintain their autonomy as digital citizens, individuals should recognize the commercial reality of the online spaces.
      Corporations such as Big Tech are extracting benefits from your private information(i.e., your data) without your knowledge.
      Should the corporations be able to store our data in the first place?
       * Below is a documentary on Survilliance Capitalism. Watch it to learn more about the 'shadow operations' of the biggest tech companies.
      Click here to learn about your property in the digital age...
      Click here to learn more about how the corporate power threatens your human rights in the digital age...
    2. The environmental costs associated with their digital activities
      3. BBC Smart Guide to Climate Change: Why your internet habits are not as clean as you think
      Click here to learn more about the enviornmental impact of digital activities & how you can help...

    V. Rights Online: Role of Education

        Through education, individuals should
    starBe aware of their human rights in the digital world
    starBe able to recognize those threats to their rights
    starBe conscious of their digital activities and responsibilities associated with them
    starBe able to take actions to protect themselves and others
    Click here to go back to the preamble...