Constitutional Safeguards for Digital Rights and Privacy

Abstract

The digital rights and privacy protections are emerging human rights concerns in the digital age. Uzbekistan's newly enacted constitution provides a general framework for civil liberties, but lacks specificity regarding digital contexts. This research examines the effectiveness of Uzbekistan's constitutional safeguards for digital rights and privacy, and identifies potential areas for improvement. The aim is to ensure robust protections aligned with international norms. A qualitative methodology analyzes constitutional provisions, legislation through doctrinal review and phenomenological approaches. Results reveal significant gaps in areas like data protection, consent requirements, and oversight of state surveillance compared to frameworks like the EU's GDPR. Recommendations include constitutional amendments explicitly guaranteeing digital rights, an independent data protection authority, enhanced enforcement mechanisms, and legal reforms codifying principles of data minimization and individual control over personal information. Implementing such measures is crucial for Uzbekistan to uphold digital rights, promote trust in the digital ecosystem, and contribute to preserving human dignity and autonomy in the digital era.