隨著互聯網的出現，這種情況已經存在了相當長的一段時間，對新形式權利的需求也出現了。互聯網不斷發展壯大，其使用者需要一種體面的在線權利保護形式。考慮到基本人權沒有適當地滿足這一需求，需要發明數字權利。
數位權利和數位自由的基本概念和原則
The term digital rights include human rights that would allow Internet users to access, create, use, as well as freely publish digital media. This, of course, also includes the right to access and use electronic devices like computers, as well as entire communication networks.
Already existing rights like freedom of expression and the right to individual privacy were also included but in a completely new context. Finally, in the spirit of the modern age, the right to Internet access has also been recognized and listed as a basic human right by multiple countries’ law.
Digital freedom, therefore, includes the rights to have universal access to technology and information, as well as the aforementioned right to privacy, but also freedom of expression, opinion, and the right to innovation, creativity, as well as development.
一些國家，如埃及，還包括了直接影響這些權利的其他幾個相關因素。這些是諸如通訊服務的品質，可持續性以及首先訪問它們的成本之類的東西。
In fact, their paper on the issue includes digital privacy, as well as threats to the privacy of the citizens of this country, even when that threat comes from the government itself, or alternatively, from service providers, or malicious software.
此外，該論文還談到了言論自由。這包括使用互聯網和在線媒體作為工具，允許使用者訪問他們可以公開表達其想法和意見的平臺。言論自由包括媒體機構、團體、記者以及個人使用者。
在線保護很快成為必需品
如前所述，包括數位自由在內的基本人權在互聯網方面已被公認為具有相關性。數位自由概念中還包括的其他一些權利包括受教育權、消費者權利、使用多種語言等。
In order to provide these rights, the internet had to receive a new characterization as a public good on a global scale. As such, it must be accessible to everyone, and the rights of others need to be recognized and respected. This has also brought in the necessity to include rules that would allow or deny certain actions, in accordance with the offline laws. What this means is that, basically, what the law doesn’t allow outside of the internet, should not, and will not be tolerated online either.
Additionally, according to the Jesuit journal, there is a possibility of the abuse of freedom of expression. This abuse may come from individuals, as well as companies. Not only that, but there is a large potential of exploitation of computer and internet users for financial gain, not to mention repressive regimes that would hide or block information from the users. In order to combat these issues, a Charter of Human Rights for the Internet had to be organized.
The fact is that these rights need to be regularly checked and updated with the continuous development of the internet. This necessity was seen best during the seizure of Megaupload by the US government several years ago. Back then, the government argued that property rights were lost if the users choose to store their data on a cloud computing service, which earned them a lot of criticism by the EFF (Electronic Frontier Foundation).
積極的一面是，越來越多的國家認識到需要包括各種數位權利和自由，並且在過去二十年中在這一領域取得了很多進展。其中大部分包括努力確保每個人都能廣泛訪問互聯網、電子設備等。另一方面，還需要防止一些被認為不合理的限制。
After multiple right charter suggestions, world summits regarding the internet and digital freedoms, Bills of Rights, and alike, the opinion of the public was asked as well. The Internet Society conducted an entire series of online interviews in over 20 countries, which included more than 10,000 users. The users were asked on their opinions on various issues regarding digital rights, like whether the access to the Internet should be considered a basic human right, and whether or not the user believe that the internet can help society.
The results of the study have shown that many believe that the internet is, in fact, a positive force in the world and that it should be decentralized, free, and protective of their users, just as the law protects them in the ‘real world’.
