The Internet has radically transformed the way we access information and communicate – creating new opportunities for strengthening democracy. Unfortunately it can also be used to restrict human rights and to commit crimes.

The Council of Europe’s Guide to Human Rights for Internet Users was written to explain in user-friendly terms the rights and freedoms guaranteed to internet users by the European Convention on Human Rights. The guide was designed as a tool to help educate individual internet users on their online rights, as well as to encourage governments, public institutions, and corporations to assume responsibility to appropriately protect human rights online.