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Welcome to
Global Intellectual Property and Technology Centre (G-IPTech)

Digital Human Rights

Our research focuses on the intersection of technology and human rights, with a particular emphasis on safeguarding individuals' rights in the online realm. We explore the challenges and opportunities presented by the digital age and aim to provide insights and recommendations for promoting and protecting human rights in the digital space. Our research topics encompass:

(1) Development and analysis of legal frameworks and policies that protect human rights online, including freedom of expression, privacy, access to information, freedom to conduct business, due process, and the influence of international agreements on online human rights.

(2) Examination of the impact of algorithms and AI on human rights online, addressing issues of bias, discrimination, and surveillance.

(3) Investigation of the role of social media platforms in either promoting or hindering the exercise of human rights online, with a focus on freedom of expression, privacy, and access to information.

(4) Assessment of the repercussions of internet shutdowns and digital censorship on human rights, including the right to access information and freedom of expression.

(5) Exploration of the intersection between human rights and cybersecurity, emphasizing the right to privacy and security of personal data.

(6) Evaluation of how technology affects the enjoyment of human rights by vulnerable groups, such as children, refugees, and marginalized communities.

(7) Consideration of the potential for utilizing technology to advance and safeguard human rights, including the use of digital tools for monitoring and reporting human rights abuses, as well as the development of new technologies that support human rights.

People

Dr Elizabeth Agnew

Prof Giancarlo Frosio

Dr Ciara Hackett

Prof John Morison

Prof Therese Murphy

Dr Ciarán O’Kelly

Mr Ethan Shattock

Dr Liam Sunner

Ms Sarah Zarmsky

Publications

G Frosio and C Geiger, ‘Taking Fundamental Rights Seriously in the Digital Services Act’s Platform Liability Regime’ European Law Journal (forthcoming 2023)

A-M Farrell, N Shackleton, E Agnew, S Hopkins and J Power, 'Regulating tech-sex and managing image-based sexual abuse: an Australian perspective' (2022) Information and Communications Technology Law (Early online date).

J Power, L Moor, J Anderson, A Waling, A James, N Shackleton, A-M Farrell, E Agnew and GW Dowsett, 'Traversing TechSex: benefits and risks in digitally mediated sex and relationships' (2022) 19(1) Sexual Health 55-69.

E Agnew and A-M McAlinden, 'Harmful sexual behaviour among children and young people online. Cultural and regulatory challenges' in R Killean, E Dowds and A-M McAlinden (eds.), Sexual violence on trial: Local and comparative perspectives (Taylor and Francis - Balkema, 2021) 109-121.

E Agnew and A-M McAlinden, 'Harmful Sexual Behaviours Among Children and Young People On-Line: Cultural and Regulatory Challenges' in R Killean, E Dowds and A-M McAlinden (eds.), Sexual Violence on Trial: Local and Comparative Perspectives (Routledge, 2021).

G Frosio and C Geiger, 'Taking Fundamental Rights Seriously in the Digital Services Act’s Platform Liability Regime', Study Commissioned by Copyright for Creativity (C4C) (2020).

C Geiger, G Frosio and E Izyumenko, 'Intermediary Liability and Fundamental Rights' in G Frosio (ed), The Oxford Handbook of Online Intermediary Liability 138-152 (Oxford University Press 2020).

M Senftleben, C Angelopoulos, G Frosio, V Moscon, M Peguera, and O Rognstad, 'The Recommendation on Measures to Safeguard Fundamental Rights and the Open Internet in the Framework of the EU Copyright Reform' (2018) 40(3) EIPR 149-163

G Frosio, 'Right to be Forgotten: Much Ado about Nothing' (2017) 15(2) Colorado Tech L J 307-336.

G Frosio, 'Urban Guerrilla & Piracy Surveillance: Accidental Casualties in Fighting Piracy in P2P Networks in Europe' (2011) 37 Rutgers Comp. & Tech L. J. 1-57.

C Hackett and U Connolly, ‘Privacy from Birth to Death and Beyond: European and American perspectives’ (2013) 10 Scripted.

T Murphy and O Bekou (eds), New Technologies and Human Rights: A Special Issue of the Human Rights Law Review (2012) 10 Human Rights Law Review.

T Murphy and G O Cuinn, ‘Works in Progress: New Technologies and the European Court of Human Rights’ (2010) 10 Human Rights Law Review.

T Murphy, ‘Repetition, Revolution and Resonance: An Introduction to New Technologies and Human Rights?’ in T Murphy (ed), New Technologies and Human Rights (Oxford University Press 2009).

T Murphy, ‘Taking Revolutions Seriously: Rights, Risk and New Technologies’ (2009) 16 Maastricht Journal of European and Comparative Law.

T Murphy, 'Technology, Tools and Toxic Expectations: Post-Publication Notes on "New Technologies and Human Rights"' (2009) 1(2) Law, Innovation and Technology.