The Right to Privacy in the Digital Age

Completed in May 2016

The digital age offers unique opportunities to strengthen human rights implementation and monitoring and has transformed the means through which human rights are exercised. Equally, the digital age poses unique challenges in ensuring that states and businesses respect and protect our rights in the digital forum. The full extent of the human rights implications of the digital age remains unknown.

This project aimed at examining the international human rights law framework in relation to the right to privacy, and identifying challenges raised by modern communication technologies; examining the extent to which domestic and extraterritorial surveillance may infringe an individual’s right to privacy; and identifying ways forward to ensure the protection and promotion of the right to privacy.

Research Team

This research project was carried out by Alice Priddy, former researcher at the Academy.

OUTPUT

In 2014, in partnership with the Permanent Missions of Austria, Brazil, Germany, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Norway, and Switzerland, the Geneva Academy hosted the experts meeting ‘The Right to Privacy in the Digital Age’.

The meeting was held to: examine the international human rights law framework in relation to the right to privacy, and identify challenges raised by modern communication technologies; foster understanding of how the right to privacy is implemented by governments, as well as the private sector and civil society; examine the extent to which domestic and extraterritorial surveillance may infringe an individual’s right to privacy; and identify ways forward to ensure the protection and promotion of the right to privacy.

 

Past Events

Right On: Contact Tracing and Challenges to Privacy

6 May 2020, 15:00-16:30

Read more >

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

Red Square News

New Research Brief Highlights Complexitites of Engaging Russia in a Fractured Multilateral Order

16 September 2024

In our latest research brief, Beyond Power and Politics: Engaging Russia in a Fractured Multilateral Order, examines the role of and pathways towards accountability for Russia’s human rights violations.

Read more

TransMonEE Database and Dashboard Logo News

In Highlight: TransMonEE Database and Dashboard

25 April 2024

Via its DHRTTDs Directory, the Geneva Human Rights Platform provides a comprehensive list and description of such key tools and databases. But how to navigate them? Which tool should be used for what, and by whom? This interview helps us understand better the specificities of the April highlight of the directory: TransMonEE Database and Dashboard

Read more

LGBTI Law Handbook Event

Freedom of Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation - Book Launch and Symposium

10-11 October 2024

The aim of the book launch/symposium is to present a selection of chapters from the Oxford Handbook on LGBTI Law, and to bring together some of the world's leading academic experts in this field.

Read more

A general view of participants during of the 33nd ordinary session of the Human Rights Council. Training

The Universal Periodic Review and the UN Human Rights System: Raising the Bar on Accountability

11-15 November 2024

This training course will explore the origin and evolution of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and its functioning in Geneva and will focus on the nature of implementation of the UPR recommendations at the national level.

Read more

Plastic pollution on an Italian shore Project

Unpacking the Human Right to a Healthy Environment: Definition, Implementation and Impact

Started in January 2022

This research aims at mainstreaming the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment and the protection it affords in the work of the UN Human Rights Council, its Special Procedures and Universal Periodic Review, as well as in the work of the UN General Assembly and UN treaty bodies.

Read more

First annual conference of the Geneva Human Rights Platform Project

The Annual Conference of the Geneva Human Rights Platform

Started in June 2019

Read more

Cover Page of Research Brief Publication

Navigating Pathways Toward Transitional Justice in Ukraine

published on October 2024

Robin van der Lugt, Chhime Namdol Sherpa

Read more

Cover Page of Research Brief Publication

Beyond Power and Politics: Engaging Russia in a Fractured Multilateral Order

published on September 2024

Robin van der Lugt, Chhime Sherpa

Read more