What Are Digital Rights?
In the digital world, certain fundamental rights help protect users and ensure a fair, open, and safe online experience. These rights—such as privacy, freedom of expression, and data protection—mirror the protections we expect in the physical world. Here’s what they mean in everyday life:
Essential Digital Legal Rights for Internet Users
Right to Privacy:
Your personal information, online activities, and communications should remain private unless you choose to share them. Just as you wouldn’t want strangers eavesdropping on a private conversation at a coffee shop, you shouldn’t have to worry about companies, hackers, or governments accessing, tracking, or surveilling your messages, emails, and browsing history without your consent.
Example: Privacy settings on social platforms.
Right to Freedom of Expression:
Everyone should have the right to express opinions, share ideas, and access information without fear of censorship or punishment. Social media allows people to voice their thoughts on current events, just as someone might speak at a public rally. However, online censorship, content takedowns, or legal repercussions in certain countries can threaten this right. Ensuring digital freedom of expression means protecting users from unfair restrictions while balancing the need to prevent harm, such as hate speech or misinformation.
Example: Sharing opinions on blogs or social media.
Right to Access Information:
Everyone must be assured that they can freely access information online without unnecessary restrictions. It promotes transparency, education, and informed decision-making. Similar to the censorship of online content curtailing the Freedom of Expression, Governments, companies, and platforms may also unduly suppress online resources. There must be a balance between content moderation with the right to access diverse and accurate information.
Example: How search engines and open data empower users.
Right to Digital Security:
Digital security encompasses both user control over how personal data is collected, stored, and used, as well as protection from cyber threats and online fraud. It safeguards individuals from risks such as hacking, identity theft, and data breaches, ensuring that people can navigate the digital world safely without fear of their personal information being misused or exploited. Just as we lock our doors to protect our homes, we need digital safeguards to protect personal and sensitive information from cybercriminals and unauthorized access.
Example: Best practices for securing personal devices.
Right to be Forgotten (Data Erasure):
Years ago, you posted personal details on a public forum that are now affecting your job prospects. Under the right to be forgotten, you can request the removal of this information so it no longer appears in search engine results. This right allows individuals to request the removal of their personal data from online platforms, search engines, or databases if it is outdated, irrelevant, or obtained without consent.
Example: How a user might request a platform to remove outdated or inaccurate information.
Why Digital Rights Matter
Just as human rights protect individuals from discrimination in the physical world, digital rights ensure that all users are treated fairly and equally in the online space. According to Article 2 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, everyone is entitled to fundamental rights and freedoms, regardless of race, gender, language, religion, political beliefs, or social status. The same principle applies in the digital realm—users should not face discrimination based on who they are, the platforms they use, or their online activities.
Without digital rights, the protections we enjoy in the physical world could be undermined online, exposing individuals to new and intensified forms of discrimination, exclusion, and harm. For instance, ensuring equality in the digital space means addressing biases at the design stage of algorithms, preventing harmful prejudices from shaping online experiences and opportunities.
At its core, digital rights focus on safeguarding users from discrimination and promoting fairness, just as human rights do. These rights encompass:
- Equal protection from persecution, discrimination, and abuse
- Equal access to information, opportunities, and online communities
- Equal respect for privacy, identity, and self-expression (Alliance for Universal Digital Rights, n.d.)
By upholding digital rights, we can create an internet that is inclusive, safe, and empowering for all.
How to Protect and Exercise Your Digital Rights
Just as the natural environment transcends borders, the digital world is interconnected, requiring global cooperation to copyright digital rights. Governments and international leaders must establish binding agreements to minimize rights violations, hold offenders accountable, and implement strong legal frameworks.
However, protecting digital rights isn’t just a responsibility of policymakers—we can all take steps to safeguard our online freedoms.
- Regularly update privacy settings – Adjust your social media and app settings to control what personal data is shared and with whom.
Example: Limit who can see your personal posts or turn off location tracking on your mobile apps.
- Know your rights in online transactions – Be aware of your consumer rights when making purchases or signing up for digital services.
Example: If a website mishandles your payment information, you may have legal recourse.
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- Report misinformation and AI-generated biases – Fake news and biased algorithms can spread discrimination and misinformation.
Example: If you see AI-generated content that distorts facts or promotes harmful stereotypes, report it to the platform.
- Develop inclusive digital spaces – If you’re a developer, design apps and content that are accessible to everyone, including individuals with disabilities, those who are illiterate, or people who speak minority languages.
Example: Adding text-to-speech features or multiple language options ensures broader access.
- Advocate for digital rights – Use your voice to spread awareness and push for fair policies.
Example: Support petitions, campaigns, or discussions that promote equal access and online safety.
Staying Informed on Digital Rights
Understanding digital laws is essential in today’s fast-evolving online landscape. From data privacy regulations to cybercrime policies, staying informed helps individuals protect their rights, make informed decisions, and hold digital platforms accountable. Since laws and regulations frequently change, keeping up to date ensures that you know your rights and responsibilities in the digital space.
Accessing the right legal information can be overwhelming, but legal research platforms simplify the process. Digest AI is a powerful legal AI tool designed for lawyers, law students, and anyone interested in understanding legal matters—digital or otherwise. You can stay informed, confidently navigate digital laws, and ensure your rights are always protected in the online world by leveraging tools like Digest AI.
Conclusion
The future of the digital world must be one where all users are treated equally, their rights protected regardless of their background or circumstances. By ensuring fair access, security, and privacy, we can create a global digital ecosystem that upholds dignity, prevents discrimination, and empowers individuals to navigate the online space freely and safely.
Sources:
https://www.iberdrola.com/innovation/what-are-digital-rights
https://www.un.org/digital-emerging-technologies/sites/www.un.org.techenvoy/files/230203_Alliance_for_Universal_Digital_Rights.pdf
https://www.mediadefence.org/ereader/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/12/Module-2-Introduction-to-digital-rights-1.pdf