Why Internet Access Really is a Basic Human Right

A brief history of the internet

The first working inter-connected network of computers came about in the 1960s when ARPANET (the Advanced Research Projects Agency Network) was created. This first prototype of the internet connected multiple computers, allowing them to communicate on a unified network, albeit a private one. The technology spread slowly after its inception, but it wasn’t until the 70’s when the TCP/IP protocol was invented, setting forward the standards of communication between multiple isolated networks. ARPANET adopted TCP/IP in the early 80’s, helping assemble the network of all networks, which subsequently became the internet. The rest is history.

Do we really need the Internet?

Although the internet’s humble and highly specialized beginnings initially made it exclusive to a small network of scientists, military personnel and hobbyists, today it’s hard to imagine any modern operational, finance, administrative, or legal system working without this omni-present network of servers hosting websites, applications, data, and cloud-based software (SaaS).

Although some perceive this to be an exaggerated notion perpetuated by none other than the technocrats who created it, saying that not having access to the internet can be limiting to individuals isn’t too much of an overstatement. Today, by accessing the internet we can rent and buy properties, transfer money and pay bills, book appointments and apply for jobs, check on medical test results, work remotely, and so much more.  And we’re not talking about dial-up internet speed, which is still a reality in developing nations and even remote rural parts of America – to accomplish meaningful tasks online high-speed internet provided by cable or DSL at the lower end and fiber optics or LTE at the higher end, is often needed.

A legitimate human right

In a world dominated by technology and computers, the right to internet access has recently been labelled the latest of basic human rights by none other than the United Nations. In their non-binding resolution, the UN states that, next to freedom of thought and expression, unfettered internet access is a basic right of all humans.

This premise is based on the principle that the internet, as such, has become an essential source of information, commerce, and freedom of expression – so much so that all citizens should be able to partake at their volition. Subsequently, the rights and responsibilities of individuals offline must apply to them online, too. Although access to the internet might be taken for granted in developed nations, in many others it isn’t the norm just yet. Protecting the freedom of expression in those nations is still an ongoing challenge.

What’s net neutrality got to do with it?

Most proponents of the belief that the internet is a basic human right are also in favor of net neutrality. The latter refers to the notion that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) should not prioritize any internet communications based on financial incentives, and that all packets should be treated equally, regardless of the content, platform, type of equipment or communication method used. At this time, much of the internet’s fast lane traffic is dedicated to corporations able to afford preferential treatment by ISPs.

The UN’s resolution on the internet supports the principles of net neutrality and establishes access to it as a critical resource that must be made public to all, despite the fact that much of the infrastructure which allows it to function is owned by private parties.

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