The purpose of this research is to examine the complex interplay on the Internet between the right to freedom of expression (and information), transparency, and the right to privacy, which is further complicated by the competing interests of stateholders including the State, Internet users, ICT companies, civil society organizations, the judiciary and security services. 

Commissioned by UNESCO, the research group from the University of Groningenhe in the Netherlands analysed the legal frameworks, current mechanisms for balancing rights, cases and trends and makes a series of policy recommendations. These include encouraging the use of encryption amongst citizens and focusing on improving digital literacy, promoting technical solutions to enhance privacy protection, and cooperating at the international level for sharing good practice. 

This is the seventh title in the UNESCO Series on Internet Freedom, which was officially launched by UNESCO at the 11th Internet Governance Forum in Guadalajara, Mexico, in December 2016.