Access to Connectivity and Human Rights

In today's digital world, access to connectivity is a fundamental human right and considered at the forefront in promoting values such as dignity, fairness, equality and respect. Connectivity plays a key role in facilitating access to information, education, and societal participation thus making it an integral component in fostering socio-economic development. As a result, telecommunication companies are taking on an increasingly important role in expanding this access while coherently instilling human rights principles in the communities they operate in. By addressing salient human rights issues that fall within the scope of the industry that include, privacy and freedom of expression, child online safety and children’s rights, labor rights, and digital accessibility, mobile operators have a responsibility to address any potential or actual impact of their business activities.

Despite the growing increase in mobile internet users, many individuals continue to face significant gaps and barriers to accessing the internet and digital technologies. This is prevalent with vulnerable groups such as children, people with disabilities and those in low-income or rural areas. According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), approximately 2.7 billion people, equivalent to one-third of the global population, have yet to be connected to the internet, highlighting the urgent need for greater access to connectivity.

While progress has been made in recent years, the digital divide continues to be a significant challenge in realizing universal access to human rights. The digital divide can stem from various factors that include affordability, digital skills, reliable infrastructure and geographical restrictions. This is apparent in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region where access to connectivity is a growing issue. In the region, the average internet penetration rate is only at 50%, compared to a global average of 66%.This was specifically highlighted during the pandemic as it demonstrated the role of access to connectivity had as it was used as a survival tool, from access to accurate health information to children continuing their education, to working from home and staying in touch with loved ones.

I. The Importance of Connectivity for Safeguarding Children’s Rights

Access to connectivity can provide children with various opportunities for growth and development as it allows them to exercise their rights to access information, privacy, leisure and education. It enables children to voice their needs and concerns and participate in society. However, those who lack access to connectivity, specifically children from lower income, displaced or rural areas, may face exclusion as the world continues to transition to a digitalized economy.

Addressing the barriers and challenges to connectivity is key for promoting children's rights and supporting socio-economic development. Improved access to connectivity can help reduce the inequality gap in education and support the development of the needed skills that are required in managing today's digital economy. It can also enable children to participate fully in society, by providing them with access to health information, child helplines and emergency services, connecting them with peers and the ability to engage in civic activity.

The ever-changing landscape of new technologies and digital services, such as artificial intelligence (AI), will have a significant impact on the digital lives of children. AI is the simulation of human intelligence processes conducted by machines, especially computer systems. Studies show that AI is expected to see an annual growth rate of 37.3% from 2023 to 2030, therefore it is important to ensure that children’s wellbeing and rights are prioritized. AI will not only influence what children view online but will also enable access to additional opportunities such as improved quality of education and health services. AI-powered learning tools are proven to improve the quality of teaching and learning by monitoring students' knowledge levels and study habits enabling a personalized approach to learning. In addition, AI solutions have been able to progress children’s health by being able to detect early signs of autism and signs of depression through speech.

While digitalization creates opportunities for promoting social progression, nurturing social inclusion and societal participation it also has the potential to widen existing inequalities and exacerbate the risks of social disparities and exclusion. Children continue to face a myriad of online risks that pose a threat to their security and health. This includes exposure to harmful content, cyberbullying, online predators and grooming, as well as scams and phishing attempts. These risks are a cause for concern and require protective measures to ensure children's rights to safety online.

To foster children's online safety, a multi-stakeholder engagement process involving governments, regulators, society, parents and caregivers and the private sector is necessary to increase awareness about the potential online risks and formulate effective strategies to mitigate them. Telecommunication service providers can also collaborate with governmental and non-governmental organizations to lobby, develop and implement policies that safeguard children's rights in the digital ecosystem. These efforts should aim to close the digital divide and ensure equity for all, regardless of their socio-economic background or geographical location.

II. Unlocking Opportunities for People with Disabilities by Building Inclusive Digital Environments

The practice of accessibility is closely related to people with disabilities and their capability to interact and engage in the digital world. Currently, it is estimated that 1.3 billion people around the world experience a significant disability, representing 16% of the global population indicating 1 in 6 people have some type of disability. While the internet can provide opportunities for growth and development, individuals with disabilities may face additional challenges in accessing digital services. For example, a person with a hearing impairment may require additional features in accessing online content such as closed captioning, overt visual alerts or sign language interpretation. On the other hand, a visually impaired person may need assistive technologies such as screen readers or voice-activated software to browse digital content. To ensure that digital products and services are accessible to everyone, it's crucial to prioritize accessibility during the product design phase and ensure its successful implementation.

It is important to ensure that we categorize digital accessibility as a human right as Article 9 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities states that people with disabilities have the right to access information and communications technologies and systems, including the internet. However, despite this recognition, many barriers and challenges continue to exist which include:

The absence of accessibility features on websites and digital services creates a significant barrier for people with disabilities to access critical information.
The cost of assistive technologies can be a significant financial burden for individuals with disabilities. Without such technologies, it makes it harder for them to access digital services and products, especially for those who live in developing countries or have low-economic backgrounds.
The lack of understanding on the importance of digital accessibility amongst developers, designers, and content creators.
Digital accessibility guidelines, policies and regulations differ between countries and regions and tracking its implementation is often weak or non-existent.

To ensure that people with disabilities have equal access to connectivity, it requires constant collaboration between designers, developers, and disability advocates to ensure that accessibility is integrated into the design process. Additionally, governments and regulators need to adopt policies and guidelines that promote accessibility and ensure various stakeholders that include companies, non-profit organizations, and education and health institutions comply with accessibility standards or policies. Lastly, the private sector can play a crucial role in lobbying for and promoting accessibility by investing in research and development of new technologies that can improve the accessibility of all digital services.

III. Securing Human Rights by Connecting the Supply Chain

With the economy becoming increasingly interconnected and globalized, businesses are sourcing their goods and services through an intricate network of suppliers that span across different countries and regions, most likely characterized by different laws, regulations and human rights practices. However, these supply chains often carry multiple human rights risks that companies might find challenging mitigating in an effective manner.

Workers employed in the supply chain, particularly industries such as: electronics, fashion, agriculture and mining, primarily in developing countries, can be subjected to exploitative labor practices such as:

Human trafficking and modern slavery
Unsafe working conditions
Low wages
Restricted freedom of expression and association
Sexual abuse and harassment

Exposure to toxic substances and other extreme occupational hazards. These violations range from forced or child labor to discrimination, harassment, and lack of access to basic human rights. In addition, to being regularly subjected to these abuses, they frequently encounter obstacles in accessing grievance mechanisms such as whistle-blowing protection or legal recourse.

With human rights violations occurring at any point across the supply chain, it is necessary to investigate and address them to protect the people who are involved in supporting the business. One of the best ways to ensure suppliers do not infringe on human rights violations is by using digital solutions to enable companies to communicate and collaborate with suppliers globally. This allows companies the opportunity to lower costs, innovate, and remain flexible and agile to meet customer demands. However, access to a global supply chain and the digital ecosystem can also contribute to human rights violations. For instance, suppliers who may not have adequate access to information, communication, or technology can lead to exploitation and unfair treatment of labor workers. In addition, the use of technology such as tracking and monitoring devices may infringe on the privacy and other human rights of workers in the supply chain.

IV. Enabling Freedom of Expression and Digital Rights

The digital space provides individuals with unprecedented possibilities to express themselves and share information on a global scale. Access to connectivity enables people to exercise their right to freedom of expression, a main pillar of human rights; as it allows people to voice their opinions, concerns, lobby and advocate for social justice and hold institutions accountable.

Despite the growing potential for connectivity to enhance freedom of expression, there are challenges and concerns that need to be addressed. Censorship, cyberbullying, surveillance and online harassment are issues that can sabotage digital rights and limit freedom of expression. Governments and corporations have the responsibility to ensure that connectivity is not used as a tool for oppression or control. It is important for such large entities to collaborate with civil society to promote transparency and privacy laws that respect and defend privacy rights while still enabling innovation. Protecting user privacy, promoting net neutrality, and safeguarding against online threats are necessary steps in preserving freedom of expression in the digital age.

Furthermore, connectivity should not be limited to just access to the internet but should also encompass the availability of diverse and inclusive online spaces. It is important to ensure that marginalized communities have equal opportunities to express themselves and participate in online discussions without fear of recrimination, discrimination or harassment. Promoting digital literacy and fostering digital citizenship can contribute to a more inclusive and respectful online environment where freedom of expression thrives.

Access to Connectivity and Human Rights