In 2024, 2.6 billion people (nearly a third of the global population) were still offline, as reported by
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU). That same year,
Freedom House estimated that over three-quarters of those with internet access live in countries where individuals have been arrested for sharing political, social, or religious content online, with nearly two-thirds of global internet users experiencing some form of online censorship.
The accessibility and quality of internet connections significantly impact how individuals lead their lives, a fact that deserves serious consideration. Having free and unobstructed internet access is no longer merely a luxury.
Human rights ensure a baseline of decent living conditions, as established by the UN General Assembly in the 1948 Declaration. In today’s digital landscape, the exercise of these rights—ranging from free speech to access to primary education—depends heavily on internet connectivity. For instance, many essential public services are transitioning online, and in several areas, digital services are the most viable alternatives to the absence of physical banks, educational institutions, and healthcare facilities.
Given the critical significance of internet access today, it must be officially recognized as a standalone human right by the United Nations and national governments. Such recognition would provide legal backing and obligations for international support that are often missing at the state level.
The ITU projects that achieving universal broadband coverage by 2030 will require an investment of nearly $428 billion. While this is a substantial sum, the benefits of connecting the remaining portion of humanity—enhanced education, economic activity, and health outcomes—far outweigh the costs.
Ensuring a minimum standard of connectivity is already an attainable goal. This includes providing 4G mobile broadband coverage, consistent access to smartphones, and affordable data plans for individuals that cost less than 2% of the average national income for 2GB per person, along with opportunities to develop essential digital skills.
However, having internet access alone is not sufficient for upholding human rights. As highlighted by the United Nations, misuse of technology for monitoring populations, gathering personal data for profit maximization, or spreading misinformation constitutes oppression rather than empowerment.
This right entails that states should respect users’ privacy, opposing censorship and the manipulation of information online. Businesses should prioritize human rights, especially users’ privacy, and actively combat misinformation and abuse on their platforms in line with regulations governing social media.
In 2016, the United Nations affirmed that people must be protected online just as they are offline. This concept was first suggested in
2003.
The time to act is now. Advocating for universal internet access as a human right calls for political action. We cannot afford to see the internet degrade from a tool for human advancement to one of division. Establishing this right will be a powerful measure to ensure that the internet serves the interests of all, not just a select few.
Merten Reglitz is a philosopher and author of Free Internet Access as a Human Right
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Source: www.newscientist.com
