Event information

6 May 2020, 15:00-16:30

Right On: Contact Tracing and Challenges to Privacy

Right On

The current global health crisis brings interesting dilemmas and tough choices for governments, individuals, and society. Many agree that using technology for the tracking of infections and their routes is an essential piece of information – not only to understand the virus but also to protect the population and control the pandemic. On the other hand, human rights, privacy, as well as our comfort may be challenged with surveillance of this kind.

What if the data gets leaked? What if the data is used for other purposes? Will this surveillance stay in place forever or is it just temporary? Is it legal? What should the safeguards be? How do approaches of different countries compare to each other?

In our Wednesday ‘Right On’ webchat panelists will address and discuss these issues.

Moderation

  • Tereza Horejsova, Project Development Director, DiploFoundation

Speakers

  • Joe Cannataci, UN Special Rapporteur on privacy and Head of the Department of Information Policy and Governance, University of Malta
  • Paul-Olivier Dehaye, Founder of PersonalData.IO
  • Allie Funk, Research Analyst for Technology and Democracy, Freedom House
  • Jade Nester, Director, Consumer Policy, GSMA
  • Nanjira Sambuli, Researcher, Policy Analyst, and Advocacy Strategist on information and communications technology (ICT)

Registration

To join the discussion, you need to register here.

‘Right On’: The Wednesday Web Chat

This online event series is co-coordinated by the Geneva Academy, the Geneva Human Rights Platform, the Universal Rights Group, the Essex Human Rights Centre, Diplo Foundation and the Geneva Internet Platform, in partnership with the Human Rights, Big Data and Technology Project, UNFPA, the World Jewish Congress, as well as the Permanent Missions of Denmark, Norway and the Netherlands to the United Nations in Geneva – that will keep the human rights dialogue going during these COVID-19 times.

Every Wednesday at 15:00, experts and practitioners will discuss key human rights issues related to the current health crisis.

 Video

Right On: Contact Tracing and Challenges to Privacy

What if the data gets leaked? What if the data is used for other purposes? Will this surveillance stay in place forever or is it just temporary? Is it legal? What should the safeguards be? How do approaches of different countries compare to each other? Our Right On chat will provide the answers.

Right On Partners Updated

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

GTI Logo News

In Highlight: Global Torture Index

26 June 2025

Via its DHRTTDs Directory, the Geneva Human Rights Platform provides a comprehensive list and description of such key tools and databases. But how to navigate them? Which tool should be used for what, and by whom? This interview helps us understand better the specificities of the current highlight of the directory: Global Torture Index

Read more

MENA Training GHRP News

Strengthening MENA Engagement with UN Human Rights Mechanisms: Second Edition of our Tailored Training

24 July 2025

Participants from six countries across the Middle East and North Africa region joined our customized training on the Geneva-based United Nations human rights mechanisms

Read more

A general view of participants during of the 33nd ordinary session of the Human Rights Council. Training

The Universal Periodic Review and the UN Human Rights System: Raising the Bar on Accountability

10-14 November 2025

This training course will explore the origin and evolution of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and its functioning in Geneva and will focus on the nature of implementation of the UPR recommendations at the national level.

Read more

Training

Human Rights and the Environment: Introducing Legal Regimes and Key Issues

1-8 September 2025

Participants in this training course will be introduced to the major international and regional instruments for the promotion of human rights, as well as international environmental law and its implementation and enforcement mechanisms.

Read more

View of a session of the UN Human Rights Council Project

Human Rights Conversations

Started in January 2020

A series of events aimed at discussing contemporary issues and challenges related to the promotion and protection of human rights in Geneva and beyond.

Read more

Neutrotechology Project

Neurotechnology and Human Rights

Started in August 2023

This project addresses the human rights implications stemming from the development of neurotechnology for commercial, non-therapeutic ends, and is based on a partnership between the Geneva Academy, the Geneva University Neurocentre and the UN Human Rights Council Advisory Committee. 

Read more

Cover of the 2023 Geneva Academy Annual Report Publication

Annual Report 2024

published on July 2025

Read more