CARD joins Access Now, HRW, AI and 100+ others to ask Governments STOP Use of Coronavirus Pandemic as Pretext for Expanding Digital Surveillance

CARD signed a joint statement with more than 100 civil society organisations who are concerned about the growing digital surveillance in the name of fighting the pandemic of COVID-19.

"Technology can and should play an important role during this effort to save lives, such as to spread public health messages and increase access to health care. However, an increase in state digital surveillance powers, such as obtaining access to mobile phone location data, threatens privacy, freedom of expression and freedom of association, in ways that could violate rights and degrade trust in public authorities – undermining the effectiveness of any public health response. Such measures also pose a risk of discrimination and may disproportionately harm already marginalized communities" reads the joint statement.

It is also stated that, "these are extraordinary times, but human rights law still applies. Indeed, the human rights framework is designed to ensure that different rights can be carefully balanced to protect individuals and wider societies. States cannot simply disregard rights such as privacy and freedom of expression in the name of tackling a public health crisis. On the contrary, protecting human rights also promotes public health. Now more than ever, governments must rigorously ensure that any restrictions to these rights is in line with long-established human rights safeguards."

Please read the full statement here.

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