Southeast Asian Digital Rights Framework

Presented By Praf Furman

This Movement Is Currently
In The Fundraising Stage.

🌏 DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION WITHOUT DIGITAL RIGHTS 🌏

Southeast Asia’s digital economy is growing at unprecedented speed: • Internet users increased from 260 to 400 million in just five years • Digital economy projected to reach $300 billion by 2025 • Governments rapidly deploying digital ID systems and smart city technologies • AI and automated decision systems being adopted across public and private sectors

Yet digital rights protections remain fragmented and inadequate: • Only 3 of 10 ASEAN countries have comprehensive data protection laws • Digital surveillance expanding without adequate safeguards • Algorithmic decision-making deployed without transparency or accountability • Digital inclusion gaps widening along economic, gender, and urban-rural lines

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THE SOUTHEAST ASIAN DIGITAL RIGHTS FRAMEWORK

Our campaign advocates for a comprehensive regional approach with four interconnected components:

1️⃣ HARMONIZED DATA PROTECTION STANDARDS • Common definitions of personal data and sensitive information • Consistent consent requirements and data subject rights • Cross-border data flow protocols with adequate protections • Standardized breach notification requirements • Regional coordination on enforcement

2️⃣ HUMAN-CENTERED AI GOVERNANCE • Mandatory transparency for automated decision systems • Algorithmic impact assessments for high-risk applications • Right to human review of significant automated decisions • Non-discrimination requirements for AI systems • Shared testing methodologies and standards

3️⃣ INCLUSIVE DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION • Universal service policies for underserved communities • Multilingual content and interface requirements • Accessibility standards for persons with disabilities • Digital literacy programs targeting marginalized groups • Gender-responsive design principles

4️⃣ BALANCED SECURITY AND RIGHTS PROTECTIONS • Proportionality requirements for surveillance technologies • Judicial oversight of government access to digital information • Encryption protections for secure communications • Due process guarantees in content moderation • Privacy by design principles for security applications

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OUR ADVOCACY STRATEGY

Working with digital rights organizations across all ten ASEAN countries, we will:

→ Engage with the ASEAN Telecommunications Ministers Meeting → Develop model legislation adaptable to different legal systems → Build a coalition of civil society, academic, and industry stakeholders → Commission research on economic benefits of harmonized protections → Create capacity building resources for implementation

“Southeast Asia can lead in digital innovation while respecting fundamental rights. These are not opposing goals—strong digital rights frameworks create the trust needed for digital economies to flourish.” – Digital Rights Coalition

Your support will help ensure that Southeast Asia’s digital transformation respects human rights and leaves no one behind.