Protecting Freedom of Thought in the Digital Age

CIGI Policy Brief No. 165

May 31, 2021

As digital technology plays an ever-increasing role in our lives, the need for regulations to protect our rights to freedom of thought and opinion is becoming more apparent, especially with regard to social media platforms’ relentless mission to get inside people’s heads using their personal data. International human rights law protects our right to freedom of thought, which includes the right to keep our thoughts and opinions private, the right not to have our thoughts and opinions manipulated, and the right not to be penalized for our thoughts and opinions. This policy brief will explore strategies to protect these rights in digital spaces.

About the Author

Susie Alegre is a CIGI senior fellow and an international human rights lawyer.