Last Thursday (2) the Plenary unanimously approved the proposed amendment to the Constitution in two rounds (PEC 47/2021), which adds to the inclusion of digital technologies among the fundamental rights and guarantees for Brazilians and foreigners living in the country.. The text was prepared by Senator Simone Tebet (MDB-MS) and the rapporteur for the proposal was Senator Fabiano Contarato (PT-ES). Now the text is sent to the Chamber of Deputies for a new analysis and vote.

If the PEC becomes law, the inclusion of digital technologies will be included in the list of 50 individual and collective rights and obligations of the 1988 Constitution.

According to Simone Tebet, the economic and social transformations facilitated by information and communication technologies affect human rights, which need to be rethought and adapted to the new reality. “To be included in the digital environment means to be able to critically analyze the content available on the web in order to form one’s own opinion, which is necessary for exercising citizenship.“, he argued in support of PEC 47/2021.

Fabiano Contarato follows the Tebet line. According to the speaker, public authorities should strive to expand the communications infrastructure, as well as offer economic incentives to reduce the cost of services and access devices such as computers and mobile phones.

“It is essential to expressly include the right to digital inclusion in the list of individual guarantees, along with the fundamental rights already enshrined. It is about ensuring the effective participation of the individual in the life of our society as an extension of the principle of human dignity.“, he decided.

“The group of people who have never accessed the Internet consists mainly of men (17%), rural residents (26%), uneducated (72%), over 60 years old (43%), family members with an income of up to one minimum wage. (24%), members of the D and E classes (28%) and outside the labor force (20%)“, Contarato concluded, referring to the statistics.

Other senators also point out that other basic rights of Brazilians are currently linked to Internet access, such as the right to health and education.

“This is a constructive PEC. Bringing technology into public schools is essential. Another thing that the pandemic has shown is that there is a big difference between who has access to information and who does not. Nothing inspires people like the right information. information is power“said Senator Zinaida Maya (Pros-RN).

…..

Via: Agencia Senado