Admin
- January 15, 2026
Civil participation is increasingly moving online. From organizing protests, sharing opinions, to accessing information and holding leaders accountable, the digital space has become a central arena for civic life. However the expansion of civic engagement into the online space also results in an increase to the threat to fundamental freedoms.
Digital rights can no longer afford to be abstract or technical concerns. They are essential to the survival of civic space, democracy and meaningful participation in public life.
In this article Digicivic explores why digital rights matter and why protecting them is a necessity for an open and inclusive civic space.
WHAT ARE DIGITAL RIGHTS?
Digital rights are the application of human rights in digital space.These are human rights and civil liberties that apply in the digital environment. They are not new rights but extensions of existing rights which include but are not limited to;
- Freedom of expression.
- Privacy and data protection.
- Access to information.
- Freedom to own property (online)
- Freedom of assembly and association in digital spaces.
- Protection from unlawful surveillance and censorship.
This right ensures that civic participation online mirrors the freedoms enjoyed by citizens offline. International human rights frameworks and digital rights advocates emphasize that online freedom must be protected consistently with universal human right standards.
THE LINK BETWEEN DIGITAL RIGHTS AND CIVIC SPACE
Civic space refers to the environment that enables citizens, civil society organizations, journalists and activists to organize, speak out and participate in public life without fear of repression. A free and open internet sustains the same freedoms and underpins democratic societies. When these rights are undermined, civil space shrinks.
For example;
- Online surveillance is capable of discouraging free speech.
- Internet shutdown disrupts access to information and stifles dissent.
- Restrictive cyber loss can be used as a tool to criminalize legitimate expression.
- Data misuse exposes activists and journalists to harassment or harm.
In this way, attacks on digital rights directly translate into restrictions on civic participation. Digital right protection is not just about technology, it’s about safeguarding human dignity, accountability and the right of every individual to participate fully in the public life of their nation.
WHY THIS MATTERS NOW?
As governments are now increasingly dependent on digital tools for governance and security, there is also an increased risk of abuse when there are weak safeguards, poor oversight or vague legal frameworks.
In many contexts, laws intended to address cybercrime or misinformation are being applied in ways that threaten free expression and civic engagement. Where there are no clear protections, digital spaces can quickly become tools of control instead of platforms for participation.
This makes advocacy for digital rights not only timely, but urgent.
ROLE OF CIVIL SOCIETY
Civil society organizations play a critical role in defending digital rights and protecting civil space by:
- Monitoring laws, policies and practices affecting digital freedom.
- Engaging policy makers to promote rights-respecting legislation.
- Educating citizens about their rights online.
- Providing support to individuals and groups whose rights have been violated.
- Building coalitions to push back against digital repression.
Groups like Access Now’s #keepiton coalition regularly track digital repression notting the growing prevalence of online shutdowns and restrictions.
But utilizing research, advocacy and public engagement, civil society helps ensure that technology serves the public interest.
At Digicivic Initiative, we believe that digital spaces must remain open, inclusive and safe for civic participation. Our work is grounded in the conviction that technology should empower people and not silence them. We are committed to;
✓ protecting citizens digital rights,
✓ advancing digital rights literacy with key stakeholders,
✓ defending minority and vulnerable groups against digital rights violation,
✓ canvassing for a safe and inclusive internet.
CONCLUSION
The future of civic space is inseparable from the future of digital rights. As participation increasingly moves online, protecting freedoms in digital spaces becomes essential to protecting democracy itself. Safeguarding digital rights is not just a technical issue – it is a civic responsibility.
Stay informed, engage responsibly and join us as we work to defend digital rights and expand civic space for all.
Sources:
- DigiCivic: Digital rights toolkit for legal professionals,civil society actors, grassroots advocates,and the general public.https://digicivic.org/digital-rights-toolkit-by-digicivi
- CIVICUS Monitor: Digital tactics of repression include internet restrictions, arrests for online speech, and censorship. https://monitor.civicus.org/globalfindings_2025/tacticsofrepression/
- Access Now – #KeepItOn: Internet shutdowns hit record levels globally and in Africa.https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/mar/09/internet-shutdowns-record-high-africa-2024-access-weaponised
- European Digital Rights (EDRi): Surveillance technology shrinks civic spaces and impacts freedom of expression.https://edri.org/our-work/digital-rights-are-a-civic-space-issue
- African Digital Rights Network Report: Studies how digital spaces open and close civic space in multiple African countries.https://www.ids.ac.uk/publications/digital-rights-in-closing-civic-space-lessons-from-ten-african-countries/
- UN Human Rights Report (OHCHR): Digital threats to civic space (surveillance, shutdowns, propaganda) have documented human rights impacts. https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/civicspace/OHCHR-TECHCS-SEA2023.pdf
Access our digital rights toolkit:https://digicivic.org/digital-rights-toolkit-by-digicivic/
