Internet Access: Should it be a Human Right?

by

Alexia Kapsampeli

CyJurII Scholar

on 14 May 2026

Abstract 

Nowadays, access to the Internet has become a fundamental means of accessing information, communication, and participation in society. This paper argues whether Internet access should be a human right. On the one hand, it is a useful tool for the majority of individuals all over the world and its importance has been recognized by international institutions such as the United Nations and some governments. On the other hand, the Internet is said to be only a tool, and it should not be recognized as a human right. However, significant disparities in access continue to exclude millions of people worldwide. This paper highlights the urgent need for governments and international organizations to treat Internet access not as a luxury, but as a necessity.  

 Keywords: Internet access, human rights, digital inequality, connectivity 

 Discussion

There is no doubt that the Internet is one of the most powerful tools in our day. It reaches a large part of the globe, and it has become the fastest-growing communication medium in history since 1995. (Viladiego, 2022) The Internet has been an integral part of our daily lives, as we use it for several reasons. The Internet has transformed communication, making it faster, more reliable, and more accessible. It has revolutionized education by providing access to information, materials, and opportunities, enhancing many fields, including news, information, services, and entertainment.  

The Internet promotes social inclusion by bridging social and economic divides. It enables all learners of any age and income to acquire knowledge and skills that might otherwise be inaccessible. Moreover, it opens up employment opportunities, offering platforms for remote work and enabling individuals to attend various online training programs.  

Internet access plays a crucial role in democratic participation by facilitating communication, transparency, and citizen engagement in democratic processes. Government actions and data are more accessible due to Internet access, and authorities are more accountable. The citizens are more active by participating in online campaigns and signing petitions. This means that they are better informed and more involved in the governance of the communities.  

Under these circumstances, the question arises whether Internet access should be considered a human right. Societies have become increasingly digital, and traditional human rights such as the freedom of expression and the right to education are exercised online. International bodies and human rights organizations have acknowledged the importance of digital rights. If Internet access is recognized as a human right, all individuals will have the chance to participate in the digital world. (Dr. Yogendra Kumar Verma, 2024) 

The United Nations has already emphasized the issue. According to the non-binding Resolution of the United Nations General Assembly in 2016, Internet access is a human right. It focused on stopping governments from blocking access. Still, the Resolution derived from Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is considered soft law, meaning that nation-states are not obliged to apply it. (Barry, 2020) In addition, the United Nations Human Rights Council published the Report of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression. 

According to the Rapporteur, Article 19 ‘was drafted with foresight to include and to accommodate future technological developments through which individuals can exercise their right to freedom of expression’. The Internet has become the tool by which people can exercise their rights to freedom of opinion and expression, as stated in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. 

It is mentioned that ‘the Internet, as a medium by which the right to freedom of expression can be exercised, can only serve its purpose if States assume their commitment to develop effective policies to attain universal access to the Internet.’ And ‘given that the Internet has become an indispensable tool for realizing a range of human rights… ensuring universal access to the Internet should be a priority for all States’. In other words, the Internet is a medium through which we can enjoy freedom of expression and any restriction, except those provided by law, constitutes a violation. (Borg Psaila, 2024) Moreover, a few countries have followed this direction. The most characteristic case is that of Finland. It has become the first country in the world to make broadband a legal right for every citizen. This means that all telecommunications companies are obliged to provide all residents with broadband lines that can run at a minimum 1Mbps speed. 

 In France, on 10 June 2009, the Conseil Constitutionnel (Constitutional Council),  the country's highest court, declared that internet access is not just a human right but a 'fundamental human right' in its judgement against an anti-piracy law. In particular, it mentioned (Article 12 of the decision): ‘given the generalized development of public online communication services and the importance of the latter for the participation in democracy and the expression of ideas and opinions’, the free communication of ideas and opinions enshrined in the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen of 1789 implied freedom to access such services. (Borg Psaila, 2024) On the other hand, it is said that the Internet is a tool or service, not a fundamental entitlement. Vinton Cerf, a ‘father'' of the Internet wrote his opinion in the New York Times arguing that Internet access should not be a human right, because it is a technological tool and not a fundamental freedom, such as life and liberty. Furthermore, the Internet may be replaced by other technologies in the future, which means that it is unsuitable for permanent ' ‘human right'' status. (Cerf, 2012) 

Another issue is the role of the state and the private sector. It is said that access to the Internet should be a public good, such as water and electricity, ensuring universal availability and affordability, but critics believe that the private sector is better equipped. However, significant global digital inequality persists, as billions of people still lack internet access. It is estimated that 2.6 billion people—roughly one-third of the global population—were offline in 2024, while 5.5 billion people were online.  Of the 2.6 billion offline, most of them were in developing regions, with 1.8 billion of those people living in rural areas. 

Although the Internet is a gateway for accessing basic public services, educational and economic opportunities, in the United States, more than 40 million people lack adequate access to broadband internet. In the European Union, 11 million citizens (2.4% of the EU population, rising to 7.6% among those considered at risk of poverty) have the same problem. (Tomoko Yokoi, 2024)                                                                                              

Under these circumstances, the Internet is a vital tool that enables people to have access to information, data, and news. There is no doubt that the Internet has changed our communications, our education, and other fields and generally our lives. For this reason, it is concerned if Internet access should be a human right. The United Nations has recognized its importance by its decisions, but the states are not obliged to apply them, while a few countries have followed this direction. However, digital inequity in the world is a cause for concern. Both the international community and the governments should take any kind of measure to guarantee universal Internet connectivity.  

  References  

• Barry Jack, 2020, “COVID-19 exposes why access to the Internet is a human right” https://www.openglobalrights.org/covid-19-exposes-why-access-to-internet-is-humanright/ 

• Borg Psaila Stephanie, published on 10 June 2011, updated on 5 April 2024, “UN declares Internet access a human right-did it really?” https://www.diplomacy.edu/blog/un-declares-internet-access-human-right-did-it-really

• Borg Psaila Stephanie, published on 2 May 2011, updated on 5 April 2024, “Right to access the Internet: the countries and the laws that proclaim it” https://www.diplomacy.edu/blog/right-to-access-the-internet-countries-and-laws-procl aim-it/  

• Cerf Vinton, 2012, “Internet Access is not a Human Right” https://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/05/opinion/internet-access-is-not-a-human-right.ht ml  

• Viladiego Laura 2022 “Internet access: a new human right?” https:/www.equaltimes.org/internet-access-a-new-human-right?lang=en 

• Dr. Yogendra Kumar Verma “Navigating the digital divide: Analyzing the debate on internet access as a fundamental right”  https://www.civillawjournal.com/article/80/4-1-21-466.pdf  

• “ITU launches facts and figures 2024 on global connectivity, digital inclusion and 5G coverage”, https://www.uar-aub.org/single-post/itu-launches-facts-figures-2024-on-global-connec tivity-digital-inclusion-and-5g-coverage#google_vignette 

• Press Release, 2024 “Global Internet use continues to rise but disparities remain, especially in low-income regions” https://www.itu.int/en/mediacentre/Pages/PR-2024-11-27-facts-and-figures.aspx  

• Tomoko Yokoi, 2024, “Why Internet access should be a right, not a privilege” https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomokoyokoi/2024/02/20/why-internet-access-should-b e-a-right-not-a-privilege/  

•  “8 ways the Internet improves our everyday lives” https://www.e8internet.com/blog-post/8-ways-the-internet-improves-our-everyday-liv es 

• BBC News, 2010, “Finland makes broadband a legal right” https://www.bbc.com/news/10461048#:~:text=On%20July%201%2C%202010%2C% 20Finland%20became%20the,everyone%20to%20a%20100Mbps%20connection%20 by%202015.