In 2013, Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg released a 10-page white paper outlining his new vision, titled “Is Connectivity a Human Right?”. It contained “a rough proposal for how we can connect the next five billion people”,  with help from a consortium of tech companies christened Internet.org. Not only did Zuckerberg’s plan include broadening access to existing telecommunications networks, it even covered developing new technologies like solar-powered drones that would loiter over remote areas, beaming data connections to the people below.

Half the world’s population lives without a reliable internet connection, which limits their access to education, financial services, political engagement, free expression, and more.

Source: BBC Future

Date: October 31st. 2019

Link: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20191025-the-fight-to-keep-the-internet-free-and-open-for-everyone

Discussion

1. What are the points for and against “connectivity being a human right?”
2. Given connectivity to the internet only really started in 1993, isn’t it a bit outrageous to suggest that it is a human right?