The digital age has brought us many benefits, but it has also created new challenges for our rights.
Previously I have written about the importance of having our digital rights.
However, in the digital age, our rights are increasingly being challenged by technology or rather by people who abuse technology. From the right to privacy to the right to freedom of expression, we are facing new threats to our fundamental freedoms online.
In this column, I will explore some of the challenges related to digital rights and deliberate how we can protect them.
One of the most pressing challenges is the rise of mass surveillance. Governments and corporations collect vast amounts of data about our online activities, including our emails, browsing history, and social media posts.
Our every move, conversation and action can be mapped out by advanced technologies now becoming more readily available.
While government surveillance might, on the surface, be justified from the so-called national security perspective, it can also be used by oppressive regimes to stifle freedom of thought and expression.
This data is also being used to track our movements, monitor our communications, and target us with unwanted advertising.
Another challenge is the spread of disinformation. Online platforms are being used to spread false information and propaganda, which can seriously impact our democracy.
For example, the spread of disinformation on social media is believed to have played a significant role in the 2016 US presidential election.
The allegations that some foreign powers were behind the disinformation campaigns were even more alarming.
It would be catastrophic for our democracy if a foreign nation tried manipulating voter opinion in a Malaysian election.
The growth of cybercrime is also a significant challenge. Hackers increasingly target individuals and businesses online, stealing personal information, financial data, and intellectual property.
Recently, yet again, I found two unauthorised transactions on my credit card. There was no OTP sent to me to approve these transactions. How were these transactions approved?
Now I have to go through a bureaucratic process of disputing the transactions and waiting for a decision for an unknown duration.
Cybercrimes can have a devastating impact on victims, both financially and emotionally.
The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) also challenges digital rights. AI can be used to automate censorship, create deepfakes, and target people with personalised propaganda.
The unethical use of AI could lead to a world where our thoughts and actions are increasingly controlled by algorithms.
In addition to these challenges, several other issues must be addressed to protect digital rights.
These include the digital divide, which refers to the gap between those who have access to digital technologies and those who do not and the lack of digital literacy.
The digital divide results in people needing to understand how to use digital technologies safely and securely, and the lack of accountability for tech companies means that they can often violate our rights without facing the consequences.
These are just a few challenges facing digital rights in the 21st century. It is essential to be aware of these challenges and to protect our online rights.
Individually, we can be more careful about what information we share online and use strong passwords and security settings. We can also support organisations that are working to protect digital rights.
We can demand that our governments pass stronger laws protecting our digital rights. We can also boycott companies that violate our rights, and we can speak out against misinformation and hate speech online. Another aspect is for more effective enforcement of current laws.
We can also ask to seek for the right to be forgotten. This entails the right to have personal information removed from search engines and other online platforms.
The challenges to digital rights are real, but they are not insurmountable. By working together, we can create a world where everyone can enjoy their digital rights without fear of censorship, surveillance, or discrimination.
On the home front, our Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has said Sarawak will become digitally developed and business-friendly by 2030.
He has assured that Sarawak will have a conducive and agile environment for businesses to invest and grow, high-speed connectivity, equitable access to opportunities for the people to improve their socio-economic status, and cyber security by 2030.
In a winding-up speech at the Sarawak assembly, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg stated that “The Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint 2030 that was launched in 2017 targets Sarawak to tap a percentage of the global digital economy through strategies to grow cross-border data flow by establishing data centres, digital services delivery, and digital foreign direct investments.”
The Premier also said that the state government will establish a dedicated cybersecurity team to implement the Cybersecurity Framework, which focuses on effective governance and management, legislation and policy, compliance and enforcement, research, innovation and technology industry, capacity and capability building, and collaboration.
Very importantly, he said regulations will be in place to ensure Sarawak has a safe, cyber-secure and vibrant environment to maximise digital value.
In the meantime, we must remain vigilant as our digital rights are under attack, and we must do more to protect them.
The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the New Sarawak Tribune.
