Access Now, a digital rights organization, releases Empowering Connectivity to Fight COVID-19: Guidance for Governments and Telecommunications Companies to help people stay connected and improve their internet connectivity based on the experiences of users at risk around the world. ...
For telecommunications companies, Access Now recommends alleviating the financial burden of customers and providing access to a free and open Internet, following the principles of network neutrality. Governments should under no circumstances turn off the Internet and make it easier for all people, especially those with low incomes.
The report presents case studies from around the world - from Pakistan to Uganda, from Canada to Argentina. They highlight both helpful and negative responses from governments and the IT industry to the internet-related COVID-19 pandemic.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has drawn attention to longstanding connectivity inequalities around the world and the damage it causes, especially to people at risk,” said Eric Null, Global Net Neutrality Specialist at Access Now. Those who have a bond can stay at home, he said, while those who don't have to go out and risk their own and others' lives to meet basic needs. The company's recommendations are aimed at stimulating the rapid and energetic response needed to save lives.
“Governments need to remove all restrictions that prevent people from immediately connecting to the Internet,” said Berhan Taye, lead global disconnect specialist at Access Now. He backed up his words with the example of the behavior of the governments of some countries. In Uganda, for example, citizens are taxed $ 0.05 for every day they use social media. And India, Bangladesh and Myanmar are denying the most vulnerable people access to the internet and limiting their ability to protect themselves and their loved ones from COVID-19.
For telecommunications companies, Access Now recommends alleviating the financial burden of customers and providing access to a free and open Internet, following the principles of network neutrality. Governments should under no circumstances turn off the Internet and make it easier for all people, especially those with low incomes.
The report presents case studies from around the world - from Pakistan to Uganda, from Canada to Argentina. They highlight both helpful and negative responses from governments and the IT industry to the internet-related COVID-19 pandemic.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has drawn attention to longstanding connectivity inequalities around the world and the damage it causes, especially to people at risk,” said Eric Null, Global Net Neutrality Specialist at Access Now. Those who have a bond can stay at home, he said, while those who don't have to go out and risk their own and others' lives to meet basic needs. The company's recommendations are aimed at stimulating the rapid and energetic response needed to save lives.
“Governments need to remove all restrictions that prevent people from immediately connecting to the Internet,” said Berhan Taye, lead global disconnect specialist at Access Now. He backed up his words with the example of the behavior of the governments of some countries. In Uganda, for example, citizens are taxed $ 0.05 for every day they use social media. And India, Bangladesh and Myanmar are denying the most vulnerable people access to the internet and limiting their ability to protect themselves and their loved ones from COVID-19.
