Today, we use technology for many things – from personal communication, to learning and work. Technology has become part of our daily lives, and thus, interacts with many of our human rights.
How technology facilitates human rights
While technology keeps advancing, it does not necessarily create entirely new human rights related to the digital age. Most of the time, we use technology to exercise the rights that we also have beyond the digital world. Technology often interacts with freedom of expression or the right to private and family life.
For freedom of expression, digital platforms such as social media or online forums, help individuals to more easily disseminate their ideas and perspectives. A large proportion of the population receives news only from online sources. It is easier than ever before to follow information provided by state institutions and to react to their proposals as active citizens.
Similarly, you can use your right to private and family life to stay connected with family and friends by using technology. Video technology, messaging applications and social media allow for frequent interaction and the sharing of life's moments. Technology can also help individuals to manage their personal lives, for example, through tools to assist in organizing their lives and for monitoring health.
Technology can also help to ensure that our rights are better protected because technology facilitates communication and the exchange of vast amounts of information and can help authorities to take action preventively before human rights are breached.
example When exercising your right to a fair trial, digital communication technology may be used to allow you to participate in court proceedings if you cannot attend in person.
example Your right to health benefits from health information that is available on the internet: you can find out information on possible health issues, strategies for treatment and your rights as a patient. This is also included in this Guide.
How technology restricts human rights
Technology has made it easier than ever before to restrict human rights, especially freedom of expression and the right to private and family life.
Interference through technology is often used to censor government critics, harass activists or to generally limit the ability of citizens to actively participate in democratic processes. The rapid spread of information raises challenges in relation to the propagation of disinformation, hate speech, and the potential for online harassment.
example The government of a non-democratic state shuts down access to a popular social media platform to limit the ability to organise a protest after an unfair election.
Your right to private and family life is often restricted when using technology because of the vast amounts of data that can be collected about you and your behaviour. Concerns about data breaches and unwanted targeted marketing practices are common.
In addition, the prohibition of discrimination can be violated in cases where people are treated differently when using technology. Access to technology itself can be seen as an example of inequality – the digital divide – when only persons of certain social status can access technology.
example The government of a state where same-sex relationships are criminalised uses undercover profiles on a dating app to lure, trap and prosecute LGBT+ persons.
About this Guide
This Guide will explain how technology interacts with human rights, what the obligations of states and business are, including platforms like social media, and the effect of rapidly expanding technology like various digital services, artificial intelligence and the metaverse.