The COVID-19 pandemic is having an unprecedented impact on societies across the globe. Not only is it causing a significant loss of life and illness, it also has severe repercussions for human rights. As more individuals are required to practice social distancing, work or attend school from home, access social welfare online, and receive information and news through the internet, the impact of government responses to COVID-19 on digital rights is particularly pressing.
The Digital Freedom Fund is issuing a call for applications for strategic cases challenging the gravest digital rights violations committed in the context of the COVID-19 situation that are either a direct result of responses to the pandemic or are demonstrably linked to and exacerbated by it. Litigation challenging existing digital rights issues which have only seen limited impact from the pandemic fall outside the scope of this call. Furthermore, DFF will prioritise applications that focus on addressing the negative impact felt by the most vulnerable groups in society, who generally will have limited access to justice and experience particular hardship due to the already existing ‘digital divide’.