Digitalization has opened numerous opportunities for the world to grab. If we compared our world to the world two decades ago, you would find that we have access to more information and have ready-made solutions for every problem.
The concept of digital freedom was first coined when The Pirate Bay launched itself as a P2P data-sharing platform. Talking about ipiratebay, if its parent website is blocked in your country, you can always use a proxy to download movies, software, games, and applications.
The Pirate Bay believed that everything on the internet needs to be free for everyone. Since then, different industries have shared colliding perspectives on digital freedom.
To put it simply, digital freedom is a concept about people having access to all the information on the internet for free and having the freedom to do almost anything on the internet.
Basic Concept Of Digital Freedom & Its Rights
The term digital rights include human rights that allow the users to access internet information, create new online information and freely publish it. In fact, this also includes the right to access and use electronic devices like computers.
We already have several human rights like the Right Of Expression and The Right Of Individual Privacy. Now, finally, in the spirit of the modern age, we have a new – Right To Internet Access.
In that context, Digital Freedom includes the right of access to the internet, technology, and information. Along with this, you also get to enjoy the right to privacy, right to expression, right to innovation and creativity and development.
Digital Freedom: Pros & Cons
When it comes down to digital rights, many people believe that digital freedom is not a human right. This is because putting something like the internet under human rights might be the opposite of what human rights stand for.
However, let’s consider digital freedom to be a part of human rights. Going along with this, people pay for the internet, own the services and servers, and saying it falls under human rights is simply a claim of entitlement.
As we have already said, digital freedom refers to the online freedom of the users in accessing the internet, information, and electronic devices. Although it might seem like digital freedom only comes with advantages, it does come with a few downsides as well.
Pros
- Access To Valuable Information: Digital freedom means you have access to the internet, thereby accessing all the information you need. This certainly helps individuals enlighten themselves on the things they don’t know. In fact, due to this freedom, today, we see online academies and education courses.
- Creation Of Informational Content: Online is the best place to share information. It not only reaches a wider range of audiences but also remains relevant to audiences’ needs. Creating online content helps individuals to share their expertise and help others. It is due to this you can see online counseling sessions and therapies.
- Fluidity In communication: Digital freedom removes the communication barriers. With people connected digitally, communication becomes more fluid and flexible. Take all the text messaging and calling applications.
Cons
- Misuse Of Sensitive Information: The Internet is a place where you can find any information. This sometimes backfires as this information can be misused by the users who hold malicious intent.
- Misuse Of Right To Expression: We have the right to expression. This right allows us to express our thoughts without any consequences. However, when the right of expression is taken digitally, it can come up in a most offensive manner. People can use their right to expression and digital freedom to talk about anything and anyone.
Final Thoughts
With the merging of the internet, people have found new places to bring forth their thoughts. This has created a need for new forms of right.
The internet keeps growing and developing, giving digital freedom to the users. The users need a new type of security to protect their rights online.
Considering the basic human right that does not cover the online rights of the users, digital rights need to be invented.
