Internet Access for All
Vint Cerf, one of the “fathers of the Internet”, recently wrote an op-ed titled “Internet Access Is Not a Human Right.”
I see what Vint Cerf is saying, but it’s a semantic trick. Access to information is technically the “human right” that advocates are striving for when trying to bridge the digital divide. To create headlines like this detracts from that goal, all to make what point?
“Improving the Internet is just one means, albeit an important one, by which to improve the human condition. It must be done with an appreciation for the civil and human rights that deserve protection — without pretending that access itself is such a right.”
Yes, it’s just one means. But I don’t think those who seek more Internet access are doing so in a manner that lessens other civil and human rights movements.
Access to some essential information these days practically does require the Internet. Currently, 7 out of 10 people do not have internet access. The United Nations report Cerf references addresses this and analyzes the digital divide from both (a) lack of access to content; and, (b) lack of access to technical infrastructure.
Ultimately, the U.N. report finds that the Internet helps “enable individuals to exercise their right to freedom of opinion and expression, but also a range of other human rights, and to promote the progress of society as a whole.”
I recently attended a friend-raiser A Human Right to explore solutions to provide access to more of the 5 billion people in the world without Internet access. One of the first jobs I had out of college was working at One Economy to help leverage technology to empower underserved communities. I’m passionate about continuing to make the world more open and connected through my current role at Facebook.
Thanks to Vint for helping build this thing to connect us. Let’s make sure everybody has a fair shot at using it.
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