LGBTQ+ Digital Privacy: A Prerequisite for Aid and Trade in the Middle East and North Africa
Around the globe, individuals are increasingly vulnerable to digital surveillance, with those in marginalized communities — such as the LGBTQ+ community — experiencing the direst of consequences. Countries in the Middle East and North Africa have seen a significant rise in such surveillance, often leading to persecution and discrimination. This policy brief proposes a targeted strategy to address this issue: condition the provision of international aid and trade on the establishment of robust digital privacy protections.
Digital surveillance is a universal issue
The Human Rights Campaign, in its report “All This Terror Because of a Photo”: Digital Targeting and Its Offline Consequences for LGBT People in the Middle East and North Africa details the use of digital surveillance to target LGBTQ+ individuals in countries where homosexuality is criminalized, such as Egypt, Iran, and Saudi Arabia.
This surveillance often results in arrests, torture, and even death.
However, the threat of digital surveillance is not limited to LGBTQ+ individuals. The lack of robust data privacy laws places all citizens at risk, making digital privacy protection a universal issue.
For example, according to the report, the Egyptian government was caught using digital surveillance to track and detain protesters in 2018. In 2020, the Moroccan government was found to be using digital surveillance to target journalists and human rights defenders.
A strategy for change
The central recommendation of this brief is to make the establishment of digital privacy protections a prerequisite for the provision of international aid and trade. Stakeholders, particularly within the United States, have a crucial role to play in this strategy.
The U.S. government, through entities such as the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Department of State, is a significant provider of aid to many countries in the Middle East and North Africa (Figure 1). This aid can and should be conditioned on the establishment and enforcement of digital privacy laws. Similarly, the U.S. Trade Representative, responsible for negotiating international trade agreements, can make such agreements contingent upon demonstrable commitment to digital privacy from the trade partner.
This strategy would ensure that nations wanting to benefit from aid or trade with the U.S. must first commit to protecting the digital privacy of their citizens. This would provide a robust incentive for these nations to implement and uphold strong data privacy laws.
Digital privacy laws promote sustainable development
Robust digital privacy laws yield benefits extending beyond human rights protection to significant economic advantages. Consumers value privacy and are more likely to share data when strong privacy policies are in place. This increased data sharing provides a wealth of information for firms, enhancing their competitiveness and decision-making capabilities.
Additionally, stringent data privacy laws attract investments, especially from digital sector firms, due to reduced risks of data breaches and consequent reputational damage. Thus, improved digital privacy protection not only safeguards citizens but also promotes a cycle of sustainable economic development through enhanced data sharing and attracting investment (Figure 2).
Conclusion
Protecting the digital privacy of all citizens is not just a human rights issue — it is a matter of national and international security. By conditioning aid and trade on the establishment of robust digital privacy laws, the United States can leverage its international influence to effect meaningful policy change. This strategy would benefit not only marginalized communities like LGBTQ+ individuals but all citizens who are under threat from digital surveillance. By implementing this strategy, stakeholders can help promote a safer, freer digital environment for all.
