In 2016, the United Nations Human Rights Council passed a resolution declaring that the same rights people have offline must also be protected online, effectively recognizing internet access as essential to exercising human rights.
The UN Says Your Online Rights Are Human Rights
In an era where we bank, vote, work, and even fall in love online, the United Nations made a landmark decision: your rights don't disappear when you log on.
In 2016, the UN Human Rights Council passed a resolution affirming that human rights apply equally in the digital realm. While it didn't create a new "right to internet," it made something clear—governments can't strip away your fundamental freedoms just because you're online.
What the Resolution Actually Says
The resolution condemns countries that intentionally disrupt internet access, particularly during protests or elections. It also calls on nations to:
- Bridge the digital divide between rich and poor nations
- Protect online freedom of expression
- Ensure people can access information freely
- Stop using internet shutdowns as a tool of control
Notably, Russia, China, Saudi Arabia, and India opposed parts of the resolution—countries that have since been criticized for internet censorship and shutdowns.
Why It Matters
Think about what you'd lose without internet access today. Job applications, government services, educational resources, and communication with loved ones all increasingly require being online. For billions of people, no internet means no participation in modern society.
The UN recognized this reality. When authoritarian governments shut down the internet during Arab Spring protests, the world saw how cutting digital access could silence dissent as effectively as arresting journalists.
The Ongoing Battle
Despite the resolution, internet shutdowns have actually increased since 2016. India alone has ordered over 700 shutdowns since the resolution passed. Countries routinely block social media during elections or protests.
The resolution is non-binding—meaning it carries moral weight but no legal teeth. Still, it established an international norm: what's illegal offline should be illegal online.
Digital rights advocates continue pushing for stronger protections. Some countries, including Estonia, Finland, and Costa Rica, have gone further by enshrining internet access in national law.
The UN's message was clear: in the 21st century, digital rights are human rights. The fight now is making that principle stick.