How can human rights be protected online? For example, by expanding transparency in the digital space, by reviewing existing legal norms on human rights protection in the digital sphere more effectively, by carrying out a mandatory human rights impact assessment before using algorithmic decision-making systems, by signing an international treaty to protect the infrastructure of the internet or by promoting digital projects for specific target groups, say Prof. Dr. Matthias C. Kettemann, Felicitas Rachinger and Meryem Vural in their study for the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung. In this study, they present these and other options for action for the federal government and explain concrete legal and political steps as well as factual measures.
Abstract
In the digital age, the internet has become an important space for exercising our rights. Political debates and civil society engagement are increasingly taking place online (not only since the Covid 19 pandemic) - even though not all people in Germany have online access and even fewer can use the internet with self-empowerment. The downside of digitalised communication is, among other things, that online hate and agitation are increasing (with effects on the offline world) and new systems of power and exclusion are emerging. Algorithmic discrimination and a rather poor understanding of disinformation lead to significant challenges for human dignity and human rights. It is the task of the federal government (and of the EU) to secure human rights in the digital world and to guarantee all citizens non-discriminatory, empowering access to the internet. There are several options for action.
Kettemann, M. C.; Rachinger, F.; Vural, M. (2022): Menschenrechte im Digitalen. Wie wir Freiheit im digitalen Raum sichern. Handlungsoptionen für die Bundesregierung [Human Rights in the Digital Space. How We Secure Freedom in the Digital Space. Options for Action for the Federal Government]. In: FES diskurs. Bonn