Digital Human Rights
Digital Human Rights is the extension and adoption of the universal human rights to the needs of an information based society. Information Society increasingly employs advanced information and communication technologies that all stem from a military background. These tools are extended into Non Lethal Weapons technology and can be easily abused in the hands of governments or corporations and used against the interest of the general public in a highly dangerous way. New power structures arise, with the potential to dominate those lacking skills and access to communication tools. Therefore realization of digital human rights shall grant that every human may participate in this medium and use its potential freely and unrestrictedly.
Digital human rights are based on the understanding of communication as motor of civilization and a base of individuality as well as society. Basic digital human rights include the right to access to the electronic domain, the right to freedom of expression and association online, and the right to privacy. The digital divide between those with access to the new electronic communication channels and those without, violates the right to education and skills in new technologies of the infosphere and the right to a basic level of information via public institutions and service providers.
Online free expression shall not be restricted by direct or indirect means, such as censorship, restrictive governmental or private control over hardware or software, telecommunications infrastructure, or other essential components of the electronic networks. The right to privacy, anonymity and security includes the protection from arbitrary surveillance of either content or association online as well as the right the choose privacy technology such as cryptography to protect communication. Efforts that lead to the development of communications infrastructure designed for surveillance, individualized user profiles, tracking data traces or intercepting online communication for surveillance or marketing purposes violate this right.