UN: Online Anonymity, Encryption Protect Rights
(Geneva) – Governments should promote the use of strong encryption and protect anonymous expression online. In an era of unprecedentedly broad and intrusive government surveillance, these tools often offer the only safe way for people in repressive environments to express themselves freely.
On June 17, 2015, the United Nations special rapporteur on freedom of expression presented his report on the use of encryption and anonymity in digital communication to the UN Human Rights Council. The special rapporteur recognized that encryption and anonymity, as leading instruments for online security, enable people to exercise their rights to freedom of opinion and expression and the right to privacy in the digital age. The report urged countries to ensure that people are free to protect the privacy of digital communications by using strong encryption and anonymity tools.
“Strong encryption and anonymity are critical for protecting human rights defenders, journalists, and ordinary users in the digital age,” said Cynthia Wong, senior Internet researcher at Human Rights Watch. “Encryption allows us to preserve a safe, private space for free expression at a time when governments are expanding invasive surveillance worldwide.”
Human Rights Watch and 25 other human rights and media freedom organizations released a joint statement on June 17 urging countries to adopt the report’s recommendations.
http://www.hrw.org/news/2015/06/17/un-online-anonymity-encryption-protect-rights