Digital technologies are developing rapidly in the region and have a significant impact on human rights. They can be used to better promote human rights, but also to undermine the protection and implementation of these rights. According to the UNDP Digital Strategy (2022-25), human rights are at the heart of UNDP's approach to people-centred digital transformation. This is an important approach that needs to be implemented more effectively in development practice. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to understand the real impact of the increasing use of digital technologies and AI on the realisation of human rights.

The study pursues this goal and identifies the dynamic impact of digital technologies on human rights in the ECIS region, including how technologies are being deployed, used, and regulated, with a particular focus on data protection, privacy and AI governance frameworks. The scoping study explores:

1. Trends in digital technology and AI and their impact on data protection, privacy and human rights

2. Legislative and institutional frameworks regulating digital technologies and human rights concerns

3. Digital transformation and governance of AI

4. Specific sectors at higher risk of human rights impacts: application of a human rights-based approach

5. Recommendations for the adoption and governance of digital technologies and AI based on human rights