UN: encryption and anonymity on the Internet are considered human rights

While the governments of many countries are striving to access the personal data of their citizens, the United Nations in its last report ranked encryption and anonymity on the Internet to human rights.

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In the new report of the UN, data encryption and anonymity on the Internet are declared the necessary component of human rights, and the so -called “black moves” of the government, thanks to which it can receive personal information of users, are considered as a direct threat to these human rights.

“Encryption and anonymity on the Internet allow each person to exercise their right to freedom of opinion and expression in the digital era and need reliable protection,” said David Kay, a special speaker for human rights on freedom of opinions in his report at the 29th meeting.

This document has become a UN reaction to the ongoing debates of the US government and other countries that law enforcement agencies should have access to encrypted personal data, which only authorized users have access to.

After Edward Snowden declassified information about the total monitoring of American special services between citizens, many technological companies began to encrypt more of their products to protect their users. So, for example, Apple and Google agreed to introduce the default encryption funds into their future mobile products.

But the governments of many countries have pressure on such companies, forcing them to create “black moves” in the software, with which the government will be able to access encrypted data.

The US government explains the “black moves” with the need to protect against terrorism and attackers, but since the creation of a mechanism that would give access to personal information and does not violate human rights, it is impossible, the UN strongly recommends that the government not to build “black moves” into the software and not violate the rights of a large number of people.

Encryption and anonymity, the basis of digital security in the modern world, gives people the opportunity to protect their personal information, learn the opinion of others and freely express their point of view.

If this right is violated, then journalists, civilian organizations, members of ethnic and religious groups, activists, scientists, artists and many others may be in a vulnerable position due to their views and beliefs.

The report also warns that the government should not prohibit such anonymous tools as Tor , which millions of people use to protect their communication and search for the information they need.

Image: yuri samoilov .