The rapid evolution of advanced technologies has transformed the function, communication and governance of societies fundamentally. The boundaries of human rights are being constantly redrawn in this shifting landscape. Through the advancements, the human rights are sometimes strengthened, sometimes threatened and often reshaped in ways that challenge traditional legal frameworks. Technological innovations like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Biometric Systems and Digital Platforms have become embedded in our everyday life. These innovations not only redefine how rights are exercised but also how they are restricted, protected or violated.
Surveillance technologies are one of the most notable advancements of this generation that has created a dilemma as to whether this advancement is crossing the threshold and ultimately violating human rights. Facial recognition systems, mass CCTV networks and biometric tracking allow states and corporations to monitor individuals at an unparalleled scale. There were some investigations conducted around UK and some other places that have revealed that these facial recognition systems produce disproportionately incorrect results for people of colour and women because the AI is trained using biased training data. This leaves a serious question regarding the enforcement of certain human rights values such as equality, due process and the right to privacy. Besides these misidentification hurdles, the mass deployment of these surveillance tools creates an uneasy feeling among the people where they will subconsciously want to avoid exercising their right to protest of speak freely because they have the fear of being monitored. This ends up shifting the balance of state power and eventually alters how freedom of expression and assembly are understood in digital age.
Another frontier of human rights challenges is introduced by the use of AI-driven decision making. Many governments of technologically advanced countries are excessively relying on algorithms to make decisions on welfare distribution, policing, immigration screening and resource allocation. Even though these systems ensure efficiency, they often operate as 'black boxes' with little to no transparency. Human Rights Watch has documented cases where these automated welfare assessment tools denied vulnerable families vital support, indicating how vague algorithms can give rise to discrimination and deny socio-economic rights. Individuals who are aggrieved from these systems struggle to seek remedies because they lack clear accountability mechanisms which in itself is a violation of fundamental human rights principle.
On the bright side, technology can also empower and expand human rights if they are properly regulated. Encryption and anonymity tools protect journalists, activists and marginalized groups from being subject of surveillance or repression, which allows them to communicate safely. UNESCO and the United Nations Human Rights Council have consistently recognized encryption as an essential mechanism for safeguarding freedom of expression, privacy and democratic participation. In countries where the civic space is constantly shrinking, digital tools often provide the only platforms for dissent. However, there are always attempts being made by states to weaken these encryptions and they do it in the name of national security risk which undermines these fundamental protections.
Another emerging technology is the use of deepfakes which represent a new frontier of harm. Impersonation of individuals through AI-generated synthetic videos can distort public discourse and facilitate misinformation campaigns. This can also be used to harass women, manipulate, manipulate elections and even generate false evidence which can violate rights to dignity, security and truth. Law makers around the world are trying to find ways to combat malicious deepfakes by exploring regulatory mechanisms, but these efforts have to ensure that they are done with the intent to protect legitimate artistic, political and satirical expression.
Digital identity systems portray how technology can simultaneously improve and endanger rights. When digital IDs are well designed, they increase access to essential services, such as healthcare, education and voting. However, if biometric systems are poorly governed, they risk exclusion, misuse of personal data and surveillance. International organizations and governments are urged by advocacy groups to halt or redesign digital ID projects that does not have proper human rights impact assessments. If digital IDs are not safeguarded, they can become tools for discrimination or political targeting, particularly in countries like Bangladesh with weak rule of law.
Since the unfolding of these issues, many regulatory frameworks are also being created. The European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is one of those influential frameworks to protect personal data.However, enforcing such laws remains challenging due to cross-border data flows and the dominance of global technology companies. Ultimately, technology is not neutral, it reflects the values, biases, and interests of those who design and regulate it. The redrawing of human-rights boundaries depends on whether societies choose to embed ethical principles, inclusivity, and accountability into technological developmentor allow unregulated innovation to determine the contours of people's rights.
The writer is a Moot Court Room Assistant, Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP)
