Human rights in the digital era

In the digital era, Viet Nam has identified strengthening mechanisms for the protection of human rights in the digital environment as a top priority. This is reflected in efforts to develop and refine institutions and policies that strike a balance between technological development and the protection of citizens’ fundamental rights.

Compared with earlier periods, the protection of human rights has undergone profound changes, shifting from a traditional conceptual framework centred on civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights to a more “dynamic” system of rights that adapts to the virtual environment.

Previously, human rights were exercised mainly in the physical space. However, the rapid expansion of digital technologies, from artificial intelligence (AI) and big data to the Internet of Things (IoT), has extended the boundaries of these rights while also giving rise to new ones that did not previously exist.

For example, the right to the protection of digital personal data is now recognised as a core human right. The 2025 Law on Personal Data Protection stipulates that the protection of personal data is associated with the protection of national interests, serving socio-economic development, ensuring national defence, security and foreign affairs, and ensuring harmony between the protection of personal data and the protection of the lawful rights and interests of agencies, organisations and individuals.

Digital technology has brought undeniable benefits to society, such as enhancing transparency in state governance. The national population database system enables citizens to access their legitimate rights more easily.

In recent years, the Government Portal and the online public service system have helped millions of people access administrative services without the need to travel, marking significant progress compared with previous periods.

Meanwhile, AI and data analytics can help predict social risks and support the protection of vulnerable groups, for instance through community health monitoring or online education applications.

These changes not only expand the scope of human rights but also lay the foundations for a more equitable society, where technology becomes a tool to safeguard rights and interests for the community, creating opportunities for people to enjoy their fundamental human rights to the fullest.

However, in the context of the fourth industrial revolution, technologies such as AI and big data, while generating substantial socio-economic value, have also contributed to a rise in increasingly complex forms of cybercrime, posing threats to national security and human rights. One of the most prominent challenges is the protection of data privacy.

In the first six months of 2025 alone, Viettel Threat Intelligence recorded nearly 8.5 million user accounts in Viet Nam being compromised, accounting for 1.7% of all leaked accounts globally, along with 4,500 phishing domains and 1,067 fake websites.

Notably, many of these accounts were linked to sensitive systems such as corporate email, VPNs, SSO and administrator accounts. As a result, the damage extends beyond the loss of login credentials to include the risk of unauthorised access, internal asset theft and disruption to system operations.

In addition, smart surveillance technologies, such as facial recognition, can enhance public security but also raise the risk of abuse for tracking individuals, infringing upon the freedom of movement and expression, and posing challenges in balancing national interests with individual privacy.

At the same time, digital inequality stemming from disparities between regions and ethnic groups in access to technology also requires attention. These challenges demand timely adjustments in approaches to human rights to ensure adaptation to the requirements of the new era.

Associate Professor Tuong Duy Kien, Director of the Institute of Human Rights at the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, said: “Protecting human rights in the digital era requires not only addressing current challenges but also shaping global legal and governance frameworks for the future. New approaches must balance technological innovation with core democratic and human rights principles.”

Protecting human rights in the digital era requires not only addressing current challenges but also shaping global legal and governance frameworks for the future. New approaches must balance technological innovation with core democratic and human rights principles.

Associate Professor Tuong Duy Kien, Director of the Institute of Human Rights at the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics

Viet Nam has taken proactive steps to safeguard human rights in the digital environment, including the promulgation of the 2018 Law on Cybersecurity, the 2024 Law on Data, and the 2025 Law on Personal Data Protection. These legal instruments not only establish a framework for protecting personal information and community interests but also align with international standards, laying the foundation for transparent and equitable governance.

Most recently, Viet Nam’s hosting of the signing ceremony for the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime underscored its commitment to protecting citizens’ rights in cyberspace.

Amid increasingly complex developments and emerging challenges, ensuring effective protection of human rights in the digital era requires a comprehensive strategy.

First and foremost, building and refining the legal system must remain a top priority, ensuring harmony between national legislation and international commitments.

Many experts and researchers argue that building a law on AI, amending the Penal Code and perfecting regulations on handling violations in the digital environment are essential to ensure fairness and legal accountability, creating a viable legal framework that helps keep citizens safe online.

Second, it is necessary to continue strengthening state management capacity and the digital capabilities of competent authorities.

Governing cyberspace, monitoring harmful content, ensuring network security, and managing data-related risks require personnel with deep expertise in both technology and law, as well as robust technical systems capable of timely detection and prevention of attacks and violations.

The government should promote public-private partnership mechanisms and engage experts and research institutes in developing standards, technical guidelines and ethical frameworks for the design and deployment of AI systems and digital platforms.

Consideration should be given to establishing human rights impact assessment mechanisms for all major technology projects, from smart cities to population data systems. At the same time, sufficiently deterrent sanctions and greater transparency in defining the responsibilities of technology enterprises in data collection, processing and sharing are essential.

Third, education and public awareness-raising efforts should be intensified, especially for vulnerable groups, to form an internal protective shield. Citizens need to be equipped with knowledge of their rights in the digital space, such as the right to control their data, the right to lodge complaints, and ways to protect themselves from online risks.

Digital citizenship education and communication should be integrated into school curricula, vocational training programmes and community communication strategies, encouraging the informed and responsible use of technology.

Finally, strengthening international cooperation and mobilising the participation of society as a whole are key to protecting people in the digital environment.

Coordination among the state, businesses, social organisations and the community will help build a strong cybersecurity ecosystem through measures such as human resource training, infrastructure investment and cross-sector dialogue.

The digital era offers vast opportunities and calls for collective effort and responsibility to build a fair and humane society.

With the strong determination of the Party, the State and society as a whole, Viet Nam is fully capable of building a civilised and healthy digital space in which every individual is respected, protected and empowered, laying a solid foundation for the country’s sustainable development.