Free Internet Access for All

Merten Reglitz's new book proposes a novel human right that guarantees Internet access for those who cannot afford it and shields this right from arbitrary interference by those seeking to exploit it for harm. The first section of the book justifies the claim for this new right by demonstrating the vital role of Internet access in the enjoyment of human rights around the world. In the second part, Reglitz outlines the content of this right, evaluating the current standard threats to Internet access. He recommends a minimum international standard of connectivity and explains how states have misused the Internet. He documents how private companies already manipulate both internet access and content to maximise profit, and how the lack of rights enforcement allows people to harm others online. The book establishes that a new human right to free internet access is essential to secure its role for the benefit and progress, not detriment, of humanity.

The author begins by highlighting the importance of Internet access for the enjoyment of human rights globally. He argues that the inability to access the Internet deprives individuals of the ability to exercise fundamental rights, such as the freedom of expression, the right to education, and the right to participate in cultural life. Reglitz contends that Internet access has become a necessary tool for individuals to access information, communicate, and engage in civic and political activities. Without this access, people are effectively excluded from many aspects of modern life, which undermines their ability to fully realise their human rights.

In the second part of the book, Reglitz delves into the specific content of the proposed right to free Internet access. He examines the various threats to this right, including the lack of affordable connectivity, government restrictions, and the manipulation of internet content by private companies. Reglitz recommends the establishment of a minimum international standard of connectivity, ensuring that everyone has access to a basic level of internet service. He also addresses the misuse of the Internet by states, highlighting how some governments have engaged in practices such as internet shutdowns, online censorship, and surveillance, which undermine the ability of individuals to exercise their rights.

Furthermore, Reglitz documents the ways in which private companies have already manipulated both internet access and content to maximise their profits. He argues that the lack of effective rights enforcement has allowed individuals to harm others online, such as through cyberbullying, hate speech, and the dissemination of disinformation. Reglitz contends that a new human right to free internet access is essential to safeguard the role of the Internet in promoting the benefit and progress of humanity, rather than allowing it to be used for detrimental purposes.

Overall, Merten Reglitz's book presents a compelling case for the recognition of a new human right to free Internet access. By highlighting the vital role of the Internet in the enjoyment of human rights and addressing the current threats to this access, the author demonstrates the necessity of this new right to ensure the equitable and ethical use of the Internet for the betterment of society.

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