Explore our resources on digital rights

In recent years, a modest advance began to be observed in the consensus around the need to rebalance global power relations in the field of technology. The concept of “tech sovereignty” has gained prominence in the discourses of both governmental and international authorities. At the same time, new opportunities emerged for fiscal policies aimed at compensating countries for the extraction of their data by a handful of companies. Even though some of these demands remain largely rhetorical (with countries still granting benefits to the same companies for local resource exploitation), the alliance between Big Tech and the far-right U.S. government has devoted all its efforts to pushing them back.

Sustaining a civil society organization dedicated to promoting human rights in Latin America is no easy task. This milestone deserves to be celebrated, even in a global context that seems determined to take away any brief moments of joy. On this date marking the formal founding of Derechos Digitales 20 years ago, we look back at our roots and renew our commitment to continuing the struggle for a fairer, more equitable, and more democratic future.

The recent decision by the Argentine government to place cybersecurity under the control of the State Intelligence Secretariat sets a dangerous precedent for the region. In this column, we examine how this model, rather than protecting rights, reinforces authoritarian dynamics in Latin America. The question that now looms large is: Who watches the watchers?