Your Digital Rights in Brief
In the light of rapid technological evolution, the concept of digital rights has found recognition in many countries around the world. In the Republic of Moldova, digital rights are still a relatively new and poorly assimilated concept among the general population.
Unveiling the core of these rights and shedding light on their practical implementation is the task undertaken by the Independent Journalism Center (IJC).
Digital rights are an extension of human rights into the online sphere. The law does not explicitly regulate digital rights per se. However, they are primarily associated with those human rights that allow citizens to access, use, create, and publish digital content or to access and use computers or other electronic devices and telecommunications networks. Some examples of digital rights include:
Internet Access: Internet access is a factor that allows you to exercise many of your fundamental rights. The legislation of the Republic of Moldova guarantees anyone access to electronic communications services on non-discriminatory and confidential terms. This means that no one should be disconnected from the Internet except in cases expressly provided by law.
Freedom of Expression: Authorities have the obligation to guarantee the right of individuals to receive or transmit information or ideas online without imposing stricter restrictions than those applicable to freedom of expression offline. Any restriction on freedom of expression must comply with requirements established in international treaties to which the Republic of Moldova is a party. Restrictions may apply to speech that constitutes discrimination, incitement to hatred, or expressions that may harm public safety or other values protected by law.
Protection of Personal Data: People have the right not to disclose their identity online, except when national authorities confirm a legitimate interest in court to compel them to do so. The general rule is that personal data should only be processed with your consent or only in cases provided by law. Individuals have the right to exercise control over their data or request its deletion.
Over the past few years, the palette of digital rights has been marked, mainly, by two major phenomena: the COVID-19 pandemic and hybrid warfare, which has intensified in the Republic of Moldova in the context of the regional security crisis. These crises have highlighted society’s major dependence on digital tools, the need to create a well-protected cyberspace, the importance of ensuring fundamental human rights in the digital space, and the potential adverse effects on digital rights that may arise in the context of restrictions imposed by authorities concerned with state security.
To grasp the comprehensive backdrop shaping responses to hybrid threats in the security landscape of the Republic of Moldova, delve into the intricacies of the state of online freedom of expression and the potential risks posed to digital rights. Explore the nuanced insights presented in the study titled “Digital Rights in the Republic of Moldova: Opportunities and Responsibilities in Times of Hybrid Warfare.”
The campaign to promote digital rights in the Republic of Moldova is carried out by IJC under the “Greater Internet Freedom” project, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The content of this material is the responsibility of CJI and does not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.
