Glossary

Acknowledgement

The recognition and acceptance of the complexities, challenges, and responsibilities associated with the digital domain and human rights within it. Acknowledgement involves understanding the significance of digital access, literacy, and the impact of digital technologies on society. It also includes recognizing the diverse needs and perspectives of different cultures, communities, and individuals, and the importance of addressing these in an inclusive manner.

Algorithmic Grouping

The practice of using algorithms to categorize individuals into specific groups based on their online data or behaviors. This method is commonly utilized in personalizing content, such as recommendations on streaming platforms and targeted advertisements, based on users' previous interactions and preferences.

Authentication

The act of proving, verifying, or confirming your identity to be genuine (i.e. the ability to prove that you are who you say you are).

Censorship

The regulation or suppression of content that can be accessed, published, or viewed online. It involves the restriction of speech, information, or other content on the internet, often to maintain social norms, protect against harmful content, or control political messaging

Commitment

A dedication to uphold and act in accordance with the principles and rights outlined in the declaration. Here, it refers to the ongoing responsibility of stakeholders to support and protect digital human rights. Commitment implies an active, continuous effort to adapt and respond to the evolving challenges and opportunities within the digital environment.

Critically Understand

The capability to analyze and evaluate digital information and media. It involves discerning the reliability, validity, and bias of online content; understanding the algorithms and systems that determine what information is presented; and recognizing the potential implications and consequences of digital information and interactions.

Deepfake

An image or video that has been digitally altered and/or fabricated by artificial intelligence and machine learning to produce fake content that is incredibly realistic and powerfully deceptive. Deepfakes are often based on real people, such as politicians or celebrities, to recreate them saying or doing things they did not actually say or do. They have the potential to be used for a variety of purposes, ranging from amusement to fake news, sexual exploitation, and beyond.

Digital Cohesion

The goal of making the digital world more unified and accessible for everyone. It's about ensuring that technology connects and serves all users, promoting a sense of community and ease of use across the internet. Digital cohesion focuses on creating an inclusive online environment where differences are bridged, and everyone can navigate and interact seamlessly.

Digital Infrastructure

The essential components that keep the internet and digital services functioning. This includes internet connections, internet-capable devices, cloud services, and security measures. Digital infrastructure is crucial for providing reliable access, enabling users everywhere to participate in the digital age with confidence and safety.

Digital Literacy

The ability to understand, use, and be safe online. It means knowing how to work with digital devices like computers and smartphones, find and judge the information on the internet, protect your private information, and spot false news. It's about making sure everyone can join in the digital world confidently and responsibly.

Digital Profiling

The systematic compilation of an individual's digital footprint, entailing an analysis of their online activities, transaction histories, and social media engagement to construct a comprehensive profile reflecting their preferences, behaviors, and interests. This process is utilized for various purposes, including targeted advertising and personalized content delivery.

Echo Chamber

In a technological sense, an echo chamber refers to online environments where individuals are exposed mainly to information that aligns with their existing preferences, beliefs, or interests, often facilitated by personalized algorithms. Consequently, echo chambers can lead to a reinforcement of biases and limited exposure to diverse viewpoints..

Empower

To equip people with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to make informed decisions and take control of their digital lives. In the context of digital literacy, this means providing individuals with the education and resources to navigate the digital world securely and effectively, enabling them to protect their privacy, recognize/resist misinformation, and use technology to enhance their personal and professional lives.

Ethical

Relating to moral principles that govern behavior in the digital domain. Ethical use of digital technologies involves respecting the rights and privacy of others, understanding the impact of one's actions online, and acting in ways that are fair, responsible, and considerate. It includes awareness of the ethical implications of digital content creation, consumption, sharing, and striving to contribute positively to the online community and society at large.

Filter Bubble

Refers to a personalized online ecosystem that can be created by an algorithm that selectively presents information to users based on their past behavior, preferences, and demographics. This results in users being exposed mainly to content that reinforces their existing beliefs and interests while filtering out dissenting viewpoints or diverse perspectives. .

Identifying Characteristics

Physical and/or other attributes that are unique to an individual and can easily identify them. Some examples could include facial features or voice.

Refers to the right for every person to make an informed decision about the role technology plays in their life. Technology creators are responsible for explaining the full capabilities of their product to the user. A person must freely agree to the requested use by taking an affirmative clear action without coercion, obfuscation, or diversion.

Non-Human Identity

“Bots” or automated entities that are capable of simulating human activity and interacting with people online.

Participate Fully

Refers to the ability of individuals to actively engage in all aspects of digital life, including accessing information, services, and opportunities; contributing to online communities and conversations; utilizing digital tools for education, work, entertainment, and personal development; and exercising their rights and responsibilities as digital citizens. Full participation means that no one is unwillingly excluded from the benefits of the digital world due to lack of access, skills, or knowledge.

Promotion

The active support, advancement, and respect for digital human rights. Promotion involves efforts to raise awareness, advocate for, and implement practices that support these rights. Observance refers to the adherence to and respect for the principles and rights established, ensuring that actions and policies do not infringe upon these rights. Together, they encompass the activities and behaviors required to ensure digital human rights are recognized, protected, and integrated into the digital domain.

Recognition

The ability to identify someone or something.

Safe

In the digital context, safety refers to the protection of individuals from harm or abuse online, including cyberbullying, fraud, privacy breaches, and exposure to inappropriate content. Ensuring safety involves educating individuals about online risks and the best practices for protecting themselves and others, as well as implementing policies and technologies that safeguard users.

Social Trust

Social trust refers to the confidence and belief that individuals within a community or society have in one another's reliability, honesty, and goodwill. It emphasizes the willingness to rely on and cooperate with others based on a mutual expectation of trustworthiness, fostering cooperation, collaboration, and collective action within communities.

Stakeholders

Individuals, groups, entities, corporations, and governing bodies involved in or affected by the digital domain. They are responsible for upholding and advocating for the rights and responsibilities outlined in the declaration, including ensuring equitable access to digital resources and respecting cultural diversity in the digital space.

Synthetic Media

Media that is produced by generative artificial intelligence.