Relevance to Internet Governance: This session will address an important discussion that has to do with the link between internet governance and its impact in the rights discussion beyond it. Freedom of speech, access to information, open data and data privacy play a major role in the data governance discussion where internet governance is one of the key arenas to address. Digital data rights is important as two important human rights, RIght to privacy and the right to access information are now impacted on how data flows in the digital world, mostly on the internet.
Relevance to Theme: It has never been more important to protect and promote the responsible access and use of data. Used effectively, openly available data make governments more efficient and transparent and empowers citizens to hold them to account. Yet data’s role in shaping our society and economies has rightly come under the scrutiny of late. As this global pandemic has shown, there is an urgent need for data about COVID-19 - whether it’s to track the spread of the disease, identify the availability of supplies, or monitor fast-tracked emergency procurement. Governments are struggling to share consistent, up to date information, while others are doing so in highly controversial ways. The use and generation of data by artificial intelligence systems that deliver bias results have created further suspicion and unease.