Background Paper: Human Rights in Cyberspace

Technology and human rights

The Internet has been in existence since the 1960s, and the World Wide Web since the 1990s. Cyberspace, however, remains a relatively new terrain regarding the questions it raises about human rights and responsibilities.

Government, businesses, and organisations in civil society are increasingly using cyberspace platforms in the communication of information and the delivery of services.

More than any previous communication medium, the Internet also offers individuals the ability to be active publishers of information on a large scale, rather than only recipients. Accordingly, the Internet has become a major vehicle for the exercise of the right to freedom of expression and information.

This paper is intended to contribute to discussion; it is not intended to comprehensively or conclusively cover all issues surrounding human rights in cyberspace.