Anonymous Communications CompactCategory: Civil Rights | Strength: Mild
The World Assembly,
Acknowledging the significant role played by internet communications in facilitating the sharing of ideas and information both within and across national borders,
Asserting that anonymity is a vital component of this process, allowing individuals to express themselves without fear of retaliation from states, private organisations or other individuals,
Celebrating the work of whistleblowers and activists who use online anonymity to hold governments and private organisations alike accountable for human rights abuses, violations of national and international law, et cetera,
Resolving to protect the right to online anonymity from being undermined at the national level,
The General Assembly,
- Defines “the internet” as the global network of interconnected servers facilitating the transfer of information via services including, but not limited to, the world wide web, email, file sharing and telephony.
- Defines “online anonymity” as using the internet while concealing one’s identity from other internet users, internet service providers, statutory bodies and miscellaneous third parties.
- Recognises online anonymity as a human right.
- Prohibits member states from seeking to undermine an individuals right to online anonymity except in the following circumstances:
- Law enforcement bodies have been issued a warrant to do so by a judge
- Doing so is necessary to address an imminent threat to the life of a specific individual
- Instructs private organisations that they may not require individuals to verify their identity to gain access to their platform, including via mobile phone verification, except:
- Where the organisation holds personal information relevant to the physical, economic or other wellbeing of the individual, such as educational or financial institutions.
- . Member states may recognise such organisations via whichever mechanism they chose, making the excepted organisations and their reason for being granted an exception publicly available and free to access for all citizens.
This definitely requires more work, but I wanted to share this germinal version because I want to hear your thoughts on the core idea.
I was considering adding a portion specifically protecting consumer-end encryption software but I'm unsure whether that would be covered by implication in the text as it currently stands.