Impact of Digital Platforms on Individual Rights
摘要
In today’s era of advanced digital technology, the concept of fundamental rights is undergoing a significant transformation, leading to the emergence of what is called “a new generation of rights within digital constitutionalism.” This new field of study explores the interaction between technology and constitutional principles, assessing how digital tools and the online environment affect governance, individual rights, and political structures. In this chapter, the author explores in detail the impact of digital platforms on individual rights, its influences on society, and the challenges it poses. Traditionally, constitutionalism is the fundamental idea that power should be limited and regulated by a constitution, which encompasses the rights and obligations of citizens. In the digital context, these principles extend into the online sphere, where people’s interactions and government institutions are mediated through technology. Digitalization brings with it a number of challenges and opportunities: access to information and participation in the political process have been significantly expanded through digital platforms. This gives citizens the opportunity to voice their opinion, mobilize, and influence decisions in an unprecedented way. At the same time, there is a risk that personal data could be used for unauthorized purposes or that governments could use technology to excessively surveil citizens. At the same time, freedom of expression is one fundamental freedom that should not be infringed. A major challenge in digital constitutionalism is the regulation of digital platforms, where social and political interactions take place to a large extent. While these platforms provide opportunities for free expression and mobilization, they are also able to censor content and influence public discourse. This raises questions about the balance between private control and public regulation. To preserve the integrity of digital constitutionalism, transparency and accountability in the development and deployment of technologies are essential. Decisions on algorithms, artificial intelligence, and content filtering must be considered in the context of democratic values and fundamental rights.