Digital technologies and
human rights

Digital technologies present unique challenges and opportunities for the exercise of all human rights, notably privacy, equality and freedom of expression. The Commissioner calls for a human rights-based approach to technological advances, including with respect to private sector regulation, transparency, access to effective remedies and independent oversight.

Highly intrusive spyware threatens the essence of human rights

Over 18 months have passed since an international coalition of brave investigative journalists released the Pegasus Project. The disclosure of the leak of over 50,000 phone numbers, including those of many human rights defenders, journalists, academics, and opposition leaders, that had been identified as potential targets for surveillance through the Pegasus spyware, shocked the world. Long-standing partners of my Office, such as the Azerbaijani human rights defender Khadija Ismayilova, were among those whose phones were infected.  full article