In the modern day and age, more and more aspects of our life shift online. It is a source of communication, education, employment, healthcare, and even a personal space for people. Yet as these parts of daily life become digitalized, it raises the question of what digital rights we have to this information. Defining digital rights as the privacy, freedom of expression, accessibility, protection from digital surveillance, and arguably most importantly, data ownership.
These are not abstract concerns, they very much shape the way we process information and share our own data online. It can have immediate and far reaching implications. From who can speak, who is seen, who or what controls the information, and which individuals are left out of the equation entirely.
Defining Digital Rights
Digital rights encompass vast regions of our interaction with digital technology, and ultimately serve to protect our freedom and autonomy. They can protect the rights of individuals to use and have access to the internet without discrimination, and a transparency as to how much of their information is shared to third party organisations. They should also give users the right to protect this information from being monetized by companies, as data is one of the most valuable assets of the online world that can be used for commercial means.
The rights are rooted in the same principles that govern civil and political freedoms. But on the digital platforms they are not as well documented, and there is less clarity over what rights, and to what extent, users have freedom, autonomy, privacy and are not discriminated against.
The Intersection of Power and Technology
At the heart of the digital rights debate lies power. Which companies are controlling the data, and what rights do they have against the users who create that data. Rights should also look into the accessibility of digital tools, in regard to who can access them and whether there are marginalized communities that are left out of the picture.
The content itself is another matter. The rights should give clarity as to how visible they are, and if there are any censors or if any information is withheld from the users.
Access as a Justice Issue
Access to the internet is often framed as a convenience. Today, as so many opportunities and information are dispensed online, it is a question of paramount importance. People need access to healthcare, civic participation, economic opportunities, and education, a lot of which has now been digitalized. Whether these people are cut off because of poverty, geographical locations, or through political means, they are basically not getting the essential services that would be just.
Inclusion is a must, and it should be affordable, safe and equal. The digital divide between the poor and rich, or urban and rural should not be a thing anymore.
Privacy and Data Ownership
Data is one of the most powerful commercial tools of brands and conglomerates. They can monetize every click, message, location and purchase. By running the data through algorithms, and now machine learning tools, they can predict our behavior, choices, and preferences. Thus, these can also be manipulated for their financial gains, and most users are not aware of the extent to which their digital usage is being used against them.
Digital rights in data ownership would work to reclaim the individual’s control on their own data. It should hold these third parties accountable, giving rise to informed consent, clearer data policies, and the ability for individuals to not share their personal information. Without it, individuals become commodities in a marketplace of surveillance.
Free Expression and Censorship
In the same way, freedom of expression is not as free and public as it is thought to be. Censorship, misinformation and manipulation cloud people’s voices, and online speech is continuously shaped by higher powers. Digital rights would conserve the individual’s right to freedom of speech, and to use digital platforms to share their voice. These rights would defend journalistic integrity, and create algorithmic transparency so consumers will know the sources of their information.
The Path Forward – Embedding Rights in Code and Law
Digital rights will not be secured by accident. They must be built into the design of technologies, the policies of companies, and the laws of governments. This means embedding ethical standards into code. It means holding platforms accountable for abuse and ensuring governments respect digital freedoms rather than erode them.
Digital justice requires awareness and transparency. From digital literacy and accessibility right up to the broader struggles of data ownership and freedom of speech. The struggle for digital rights is a palpable one, and part of a broader struggle for a more equal and humane society. One where power is checked, dignity is protected, and technology works in the service of all.