Digital Rights

 Digital Rights

The original basis of determining digital rights was to extend physical rights, arguing that the same rights should exist in both domains (Calzada et al., 2021). Today this discussion is becoming more nuanced as more technologies develop and access to tools impact equity of opportunity. New prototype rights presented by Calzada et al. include “the right to Internet access and the right not to be subject to automated decision” (2021, abstract section). In my opinion, internet access should be viewed as an important privilege, not a right, with the responsibility of gaining access falling to individuals and voluntary groups who care about the cause, rather than government agencies. 

Taylor proposes a framework of “data justice” which is measured based upon three pillars of (in)visibility, (dis)engagement, and antidiscrimination (2017, A proposed framework section, para. 2). Digital visibility is related to the right of privacy. Citizens should be entitled to virtual privacy, and always informed when their information could be made public. Engagement is related to the perceived “societal contract” which pressures everyone to have a social presence online (Taylor, 2017). Individuals should feel free to engage or disengage online, according to their preference, without social pressure, and without the automatic “opt-in” for risking the sharing of personal information. Discrimination, both in person and virtually, should be treated on a case-by-case basis, with an emphasis on personal responsibility and accountability. I agree with the idea that digital rights should reflect human rights, and best practice should respect privacy, choice, and non-coerced, consumer-informed consent to the release of personal data. 

References:

Calzada, I., Pérez-Batlle, M., & Batlle-Montserrat, J. (2021). People-Centered Smart Cities: An exploratory action research on the Cities’ Coalition for Digital Rights. Journal of Urban Affairs, 1–26. https://doi.org/10.1080/07352166.2021.1994861

Taylor, L. (2017). What is data justice? The case for connecting digital rights and freedoms globally. Big Data &Amp; Society, 4(2), 205395171773633. https://doi.org/10.1177/2053951717736335