CDT highlights risks to human rights defenders in UN submission on digital technologies
A submission to the UN outlines how surveillance, AI, and online regulation may affect the safety and work of human rights defenders in the digital environment.
The Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) and CDT Europe have submitted input to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on the protection of human rights defenders in the digital age.
The submission was prepared in response to a UN Human Rights Council process examining how new and emerging technologies affect individuals working to defend human rights.
The organisations identify several areas of concern. One relates to recent legislative trends, including social media restrictions and age verification requirements. According to the submission, such measures may increase data collection and reduce anonymity, which can expose human rights defenders to risks and limit their ability to operate safely.
The document also examines the impact of internet shutdowns and online censorship. It notes that these measures can restrict communication, limit access to information, and affect activities such as documenting human rights violations, particularly during elections or periods of unrest.
Another focus is the role of digital technologies in targeted harassment. The submission highlights that women human rights defenders are often affected by gender-based online violence, including disinformation, harassment, and manipulated content. It also points to inconsistencies in platform content moderation, especially across different languages, which may affect the visibility of human rights-related content.
The organisations further raise concerns about surveillance technologies, including spyware and data interception tools. These can be used to monitor communications and may lead to intimidation or other forms of pressure on individuals.
Encryption is identified as an important safeguard for secure communication. The submission notes that restrictions on encrypted services, or changes in how they are provided, could affect the ability of human rights defenders to communicate safely.
Finally, the document addresses the role of technology companies. It calls for improved transparency in how platforms assess and mitigate risks, as well as stronger engagement with civil society groups in developing and applying content policies.
The submission contributes to ongoing UN discussions on how to ensure that digital policies and technologies are aligned with human rights protections.
