Internet Infrastructure and Human Rights: A Reading List

The infrastructure upon which the Internet is built determines who can be online, who they can communicate with, what they can access, and how this all works. The decisions that shape the Internet infrastructure can both advance and restrict how users communicate and how information is accessed and shared, thus having a significant effect on how the Internet can impact the public interest, especially in regards to social justice, civil liberties, and human rights.

The design and governance of the Internet infrastructure have significant political and economic implications that affect the rights of users around the globe. Knowing how the mechanisms and practices embedded in the Internet’s underlying technology work is key to understanding and advocating for societal and political developments.

This reading list is designed for civil society actors, technologists, policymakers, and users who wish to learn about the inner workings of the Internet infrastructure in order to approach its growth and the application of its governance as a site of advocacy. In addition to an introduction to the topic and a curated collection of readings, this resource also includes an index of civil society organizations that are actively advocating for a public interest Internet infrastructure, to inspire readers to further explore and engage with current and future initiatives and campaigns.