Cruz 1

Jordan Cruz
CST 300 Writing Lab
February 2019

The Internet:
Our Right or Luxury?

“​All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights…Everyone has the right

to life, liberty and security of person” (United Nations, 2019). This quote is taken straight from

articles one and three of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights or more commonly referred

to as the UDHR. This declaration has positive intent behind it, but what exactly is “the right to

life, liberty, and security of person” (United Nations, 2019)? Without specific instructions one is

lead to believe that the UDHR and its’ meaning is open to interpretation, and in there lies a true

ethical dilemma. Without a true definition of what makes something a candidate for the UDHR,

one can expect there to always be debate and division on various topics. One such topic, gaining

more attention with each year, is that of the “Right” to internet access for all human beings

regardless of where they are or who they may be.

The internet, also known as the world wide web during the original conception, was

created in 1990 by computer scientist Tim Berners-Lee (Andrews, 2019). At the time, Mr.

Berners-Lee designed the internet to inter-link different computer’s containing information

within his place of employment and make it accessible from any location. What started as a

project with the aspirations of linking people within a office, has now made it possible to provide

copious amounts of information to billions of human beings across the world. The human

population is approximately 7.68 billion, and around 4.39 billion of the total population are

active internet users (Kemp, 2019). That is roughly 57 percent of the world population who have
 Cruz 2

access to the internet, leaving around 43 percent of the human population who either choose not

to access the internet or simply do not possess the means.

Not choosing to take advantage of the internet is one thing, but lacking the means

required to access the internet is something else entirely. A quote from billionaire Richard

Branson, “It’s worrying to think more than half the world’s population lacks internet access and

therefore lacks an equal opportunity to improve their lives” (Branson, 2016). The internet was

originally viewed as a luxury, for those who could afford it were given a easier way of sharing

information and communicating. It is now something that is vital and necessary for everyday life,

having been integrated into even the simplest tasks. The biggest advantage the internet provides,

is having the ability to access infinite amounts of information at an instant. This allows the

advancement all of human life, since all this information is able to be shared any where in the

world. But, not all human beings have access to the internet and that has proved to hold

advancement back. ​In recent years, studies have shown increase in lack of education related to

lack of internet access. Countries without internet access have shown a lower rate of educated

individuals.

This is evident in Latin America, where approximately 250 millions Latin Americans are

unable to access the internet (Baca, 2019). That is more than half of the regions household,

causing a gap in social and economical status. This has made Latin America the owner’s of one

of the world’s highest levels of income inequality (Baca, 2019). That means there is an unequal

distribution of income amongst Latin Americans, due to the difference in education and its’

inability to provide internet access to all. If there were more opportunities to equal internet

access, Latin Americans would possess the tools needed to bridge that gap between the educated
 Cruz 3

and uneducated.This can all start with the reduction of the cost for internet access, making it

more affordable for even the most rural Latin Americans. Roughly 20 percent of Latin

Americans live in rural environment, and that makes internet access especially difficult (Baca,

2019). Although it is difficult, it is not impossible to provide even the most rural areas with

internet access. Where one lives should not determine whether they have the right to equal

opportunity to internet access, because as humans we all deserve the right to better ourselves.

There have been attempts made at providing internet access to all of Latin America, but have all

not succeeded. This is because telecommunication companies did not view the operation of

providing universal access to the internet as profitable (Baca, 2019). The right to access of the

internet was ignored simply because the internet providers and telecommunication companies

viewed the investment as unprofitable. A hard pill to swallow, but money and profits have

always been a determining factor in most major ethical decisions. Although we wish it was not

the case, the Latin American people’s right to internet access is being stripped away and ignored

for profitable gain.

Although there have been unsuccessful attempts at implementing universal internet

access to underprivileged nations, there are still those that look to a future where all remote

corners of the world are given equal opportunity to internet access. One such vision is being

pursued by technology powerhouse Google and social-media giant Facebook, whom are

searching for various ways of providing cost efficient internet service. Google has Project Loon,

which envisions deploying “Internet-beaming balloons” to all areas in need of internet access

(Loon, 2019). A truly ambitious vision, but one that seems obtainable, easily repairable, and cost

efficient for even the most underprivileged country or government. What is most important is the
 Cruz 4

value being placed on human beings right to access the internet, and that is what is driving these

efficient ideas. Facebook has a similar idea, but they would have a solar powered plane that

would provide the internet world wide (Internet.org, 2019). This seems a little less cost efficient,

but something that may be more reliable than a balloon. These ideas have all expanded and been

shared through the use of the internet, helping try and bridge the gap in today’s ever advancing

society. Whatever the case we as human beings are “all born free and equal in dignity and

rights”, but can there be an agreement reached that internet access is a human right (United

Nations, 2019).

That depends on who you are asking, because there is still opposition to providing

internet access to all human beings and adding it to the UDHR. This is because even though the

internet provides endless opportunities and resources, it can be used and abused. The right to

internet access is not only being ignored in areas like Latin America, but other countries like

Russia, China, and South Africa do not believe in having a open and accessible internet (Sandle,

2016). These countries share a belief that having and open and accessible internet would not be

profitable and too troublesome to regulate. Nations like China have the largest internet market at

around 700 million people, but also have the largest percentage of none internet users in the

world at 62 percent (Downs, 2017). This is large in part due to around 43 percent of China’s

population living in a rural environment (n.d., 2016). There are no projects inplace to provide the

remaining rural population with internet access, and that is mainly due to cost. Most ideas that

involve providing universal internet access require things being done for less of a profit or for

free. To build, provide, and monitor an entire nation’s internet access would require a lot of

manpower, and that in return is not cost efficient.

 Cruz 5

Another view as to why internet access would not fit in the UDHR, is that technology and

the internet are ways to exercise our rights and not a right in itself (Cerf, 2012). The internet is

used for a vast array of things like sharing pictures of family trips, school projects, and

connecting with long lost friends. All are examples of exercising our “rights” of freedom of

speech and freedom of access to information, but because these are accomplished through the

use of the internet does not make it our “right”. A tough thing to distinguish, the internet is being

viewed as a means of expressing and practicing our rights and not actually something that is

necessary for human happiness and self-preservation. Even the United Nations, the organization

who provided the UDHR, believes the internet is a “means to and end” but not “an end in itself”

(Cerf, 2012). That means the United Nations, at the time, viewed the internet a something very

useful but not entirely important. The internet allows us to get things accomplished and learn

new methods, but it is not how we learn or the only way we can get something accomplished.

That is why is it so difficult for universal internet access to be achieved, and the ethical dilemma

sees no end with various opposing views about this arguments ethical framework.

This ethical debate follows the framework of “Rights”, and that is because the decision of

whether or not universal internet access should be in the UDHR is based upon it. The “Rights”

framework deals in what is “right” for a human and their being. There are arguments that the

internet is simply an environment in which we practice and express our human rights, and not a

human right in itself (Cerf, 2012). Although, that is true it is not entirely the case because we as

human beings are entitled to the right to happiness and the access of information. How can

happiness be obtained if one cannot better their self through education, get a good paying job, or

connect with long lost family? This can all be obtained through the access of internet, and if the
 Cruz 6

internet is required to make the pursuit of these goals happen then it is our right. The main reason

for not providing universal internet access is cost and control. These should not be the key

determining factors for whether or not a the internet is a human being’s “right” or not. Money is

needed to invest in anything, and the internet should not be seen as something with no profitable

gain. The ability to share information and learn from one another, present great opportunity for

advancement and collaboration which in return is profitable. The government should not dictate

the weight of importance the internet carries, because as times change so does everything else

along with it. That is why, from an ethical standpoint, this is simply based on whether it is right

or wrong to have internet access as a basic human right in our UDHR. It is wrong to deprive

anyone from obtaining and practicing their human rights, and since the internet allows that it too

has become our right as human beings.

The importance of the internet can be felt everywhere, all across the globe in today’s

society. It has become the foundation to advancement in all major cities and countries, but has

become the “achilles heel” in the more underdeveloped areas in the world. This should not stop

us from making universal internet access our basic human right in the UDHR, because we all

need the internet to survive in today’s world. We need the various amounts of information,

readily available to help provide better ways of living for all human beings willing to take

advantage of the internet. There are bad sides to all things, and the internet is no different. To get

these underdeveloped countries caught up with the rest of the world would cost more money, and

would require much regulation. That cannot be the determining factors for why someone will

have access to the internet and another who will not. We humans are all born equal, and that

should extend to all technology or mediums that allow us to express our rights as human beings.
 Cruz 7

That is why companies like Google and Facebook are developing ground breaking ways to

provide internet access even to the most remote locations. We must not forget our ethical

responsibilities, and remember we know what is right and what is wrong. Internet access

provides a gateway to endless opportunities, advancement, and connectivity. That is why

universal internet access must be seriously considered a basic human right in the UDHR, because

we all have the ethical responsibility to do what is “right” for the betterment of humankind.
 Cruz 8

Reference

Baca, C., Belli, L., Huerta, E., & Velasco, K. (2018, December 11). Community Networks in

Latin America. Retrieved January 29, 2019, from

www.internetsociety.org/resources/doc/2018/community-networks-in-latin-america/

Branson, R. (2016, June 30). TOP 25 INTERNET ACCESS QUOTES. Retrieved February 14,

2019, from https://www.azquotes.com/quotes/topics/internet-access.html

Cerf, V. G. (2012, January 04). Internet Access Is Not a Human Right. Retrieved February 14,

2019, from

https://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/05/opinion/internet-access-is-not-a-human-right.html

China - Rural population. (n.d.). Retrieved February 14, 2019, from

https://tradingeconomics.com/china/rural-population-percent-of-total-population-wb-data.html

Fitzsimons, T. (2014, October 02). Why 4.4 Billion People Still Don't Have Internet Access.

Retrieved February 10, 2019, from

https://www.npr.org/sections/alltechconsidered/2014/10/02/353288711/why-4-4-billion-peopl

e-still-dont-have-internet-access

History of the Web. (n.d.). Retrieved February 10, 2019, from

https://webfoundation.org/about/vision/history-of-the-web/
 Cruz 9

Journal, D. (2016, July 22). UN thinks internet access is a human right. Retrieved February 4,

2019 from

https://www.businessinsider.com/un-says-internet-access-is-a-human-right-2016-7

Kemp, S. (2019, January 30). Digital 2019: Global Digital Overview. Retrieved February 10,

2019, from https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2019-global-digital-overview

Loon. (n.d.). Retrieved February 10, 2019, from https://loon.co/

Our Approach – English. (2017, March 29). Retrieved February 10, 2019, from

https://info.internet.org/en/approach/

UN: Majority of world's population lacks internet access. (2017, September 19). Retrieved

February 14, 2019, from

https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2017/09/18/UN-Majority-of-worlds-population

-lacks-internet-access/6571505782626/

Universal Declaration of Human Rights. (n.d.). Retrieved February 10, 2019, from

http://www.un.org/en/universal-declaration-human-rights/