August 18, 2020 — Access Now is publishing A digital rights agenda for 2021 and beyond to inform U.S. political parties’ policy priorities as the country heads into its presidential election this November.
The U.S. government must seek to address the inequities at the intersection of public policy and technology that result in serious harm to the civil and human rights of communities of color and other underrepresented groups.
The agenda outlines four concrete calls to action:
- Raise the bar for data protection and digital privacy;
- Close the digital divide and keep people connected to a free and open internet;
- Defend encryption and protect secure communications and transactions; and
- Protect human rights and hold platforms accountable in content governance.
“In an age in which our human rights are increasingly exercised online, the significance of digital rights cannot be overlooked,” said Jennifer Brody, Legislative Manager at Access Now. “The pandemic has underscored the importance of ensuring everyone has access to the internet, just as the Black Lives Matter protests have highlighted the heightened surveillance of communities of color and lack of privacy protections. It is incumbent on the U.S. political parties to ensure digital rights are at the forefront of their policy agendas.”