As AI governance becomes increasingly central to global policymaking, ensuring robust digital rights frameworks is essential to fostering public trust, equitable access, and regulatory effectiveness.
Historically, policymakers have struggled to balance protecting citizens’ rights with enabling a thriving technology sector to drive economic growth and innovation. Yet, new tools are now at their disposal. While divergent priorities have emerged between China, the USA, and Europe, we are witnessing a broader evolution in human rights norms and digital rights discourse.
In recent years, digital rights have been formalized through national and regional instruments, including the European Union’s Declaration of Digital Rights and Principles and South Korea’s Digital Bill of Rights. These frameworks provide a comprehensive foundation to guide legislative, policy, and technological development. In 2024, as the United Nations commits to a Global Digital Compact, there is renewed hope for more forward-thinking, globally coordinated policymaking that safeguards citizens’ rights in the digital age.
In this context, this report—produced in collaboration with Demos and supported by the Government of the Republic of Korea—examines the evolving digital rights landscape in the UK, the EU, and beyond. Through a literature review, expert interviews, a roundtable, and a policy workshop with digital rights organizations, academics, and policymakers, it assesses the current challenges and new approaches to advancing digital rights governance.
This report provides the backdrop for a united call for the UK government to develop and adopt a UK Declaration of Digital Rights & Principles.
Read the open letter in full.
