It is generally accepted that we are experiencing an era in which our ability to do
essential daily tasks and enjoy our fundamental human rights depends extensively on
access to the internet. In a world where digital technologies dictate the performance
of most daily activities, can an individual choose not to be online? According to
estimates from the United Nations International Telecommunication Union, 2.6 billion
people, or one-third of the world's population, do not use the Internet.1 Should we
consider this data as an exclusive reflection of the number of people who do not have
the opportunity to use the internet, or at least a small percentage is a reflection
of someone's choice to stay offline? The goal of the paper is to try to contribute
to ongoing discussion on the mentioned dilemmas from the law perspective by exploring
whether there is a right to be offline under the current human rights framework or
stated differently, is it possible for the government or private entities to force
individuals to use the internet against their will?
