Digital rights
Fundamental protections for citizens in technological contexts.
How the laws define this
Both instruments agree that digital rights center on protecting individuals' personal information and ensuring access in technological contexts, covering concepts such as privacy, control over personal information, and informational self-determination. However, they diverge significantly in scope and regulatory intent. Draft Bill No. 14 on Artificial Intelligence Regulation frames digital rights specifically as legal protections and fundamental safeguards designed to prevent harms arising directly from AI deployment and digital technologies. In contrast, the Charter on the Values and Principles for a Digital Society of Mutual Prosperity (Digital Bill of Rights) defines digital rights much more broadly as foundational principles meant to guide sectoral law and policy across all digital life. This latter framework extends beyond mitigating AI harms to encompass participation in digital society, explicitly including access to infrastructure and services, online freedom of expression, protection of digital labour conditions, and safeguards for personal autonomy and dignity.
Synthesised from the 2 statutory definitions below. Each one is quoted in full, with its source.
How jurisdictions differ
What is distinctive in each definition, binding law in force first.
| Jurisdiction | Instrument | Status | What is distinctive |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Korea | Charter on the Values and Principles for a Digital Society of Mutual Prosperity | Adopted | Adds entitlements for access to digital infrastructure and services, freedom of expression online, protection of digital labour conditions, and safeguards for personal autonomy and dignity beyond AI-specific protections. |
| Panama | Draft Bill No. 14 on Artificial Intelligence Regulation | Under Review | Limits digital rights specifically to protections against harms from AI deployment, focusing on privacy, access, non-discrimination, and informational self-determination. |
What it triggers
- The Charter on the Values and Principles for a Digital Society of Mutual Prosperity sets out five core principles to guide South Korean public and private actors in establishing a safe digital order.source
- Panama's Draft Bill No. 14 on Artificial Intelligence Regulation would establish digital rights, citizen protections, and a legal framework for AI governance.source
Definitions (2)
Legal protections for individuals' rights and freedoms as they relate to digital technologies and AI, including privacy, access, non-discrimination, and informational self-determination; the bill frames these rights as fundamental safeguards against harms arising from AI deployment.
A broad set of entitlements and protections relating to individuals' participation in digital life, including access to digital infrastructure and services, control over personal information, freedom of expression online, protection of digital labour conditions, and safeguards for personal autonomy and dignity. The Charter frames these as foundational principles to guide sectoral law and policy.
Not to be confused with
Fundamental Rights and Freedoms focuses on protection of dignity, privacy and non-discrimination specifically in AI, while digital rights cover broader entitlements in digital life or AI harms.
Questions and answers
What principles does South Korea's Digital Bill of Rights include?
It sets out five core principles to guide public and private actors in establishing a safe digital order. These cover participation in digital life, access to infrastructure, control over personal information, online expression, digital labour, and personal autonomy.
What does Panama's AI bill say about digital rights?
The draft bill frames digital rights as legal protections for privacy, access, non-discrimination, and informational self-determination against AI harms. It aims to create a comprehensive framework for AI governance.
How do digital rights apply in non-AI contexts?
South Korea's Charter includes broad entitlements for digital participation, access, expression, labour conditions, and autonomy not limited to AI.
Related Terms
Fundamental Rights and Freedoms
Protection of dignity, privacy and non-discrimination in AI....
AI users
Individuals or entities interacting with AI outputs....
Legal personhood (for AI)
Status conferring legal rights or duties to an AI system....
Education assisted by AI
AI uses that complement or enhance teaching and learning....
Automated decisions
Decisions produced by algorithms without direct human involvement....