ASEAN in the Digital Age: Civil society pushes for more inclusion, less corporate interests
Civil society organizations launched a report providing recommendations on digital economy, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity.
MANILA, Philippines (4 February 2026) – Civil society is coming together to safeguard the future of digital rights within ASEAN.
On 4 February 2026, Access Now, EngageMedia, FORUM-ASIA, Oxfam, and Wikimedia Foundation publicly launched “Rights at the Core – Towards a Rights-Respecting Digital Ecosystem in ASEAN,” a briefing paper that offers recommendations on how to better navigate the digital economy, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence.
The report’s official launch was held in Manila, highlighting the significance of the Philippines’ role – as the current ASEAN Chair – in promoting human rights in the regional bloc’s digital agenda.
“The launch of this report is timely considering the approval of the ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2030, where several issues that we had identified remain unaddressed. The Philippines’ ASEAN chairship is an opportunity for ASEAN regulators, civil society actors, and the private sector to work collaboratively and constructively to ‘Navigating Our Future, Together,’” said the five organizations behind the initiative.
The briefing paper was made in consultation with various civil society groups across the region, whose contributions were included through mechanisms such as the third Digital Rights Asia-Pacific Assembly in Kuala Lumpur held in August 2025.
ASEAN’s inclusive digital governance
In the past decade, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has developed several policies for strengthening the region’s competitiveness in the digital age. The ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2030, for example, guides the regional bloc’s digital development. Meanwhile, the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement is currently under negotiation.
The briefing paper assessed these policies and revealed gaps between ASEAN’s ambitious commitments to inclusivity and the realities on the ground, highlighting the limited participation of civil society actors in decision-making processes concerning digital governance.
Although non-legally binding, these innovations have been acknowledged by civil society amid the rapidly increasing cases of surveillance, censorship, and disinformation in the region and beyond.
However, a lot is yet to be done to translate policy into sustainable action.
“While ASEAN has shown strong rhetorical commitment and moderate levels of coordination, it has persistently lacked robust outcome-driven monitoring and effective implementation. To translate policy into real impact, comprehensive buy-in from all member states and relevant ministries is required, alongside the institutionalization of human rights as a foundational principle.”
Human rights and communities first
Amid technological advances, the briefing paper recommended always prioritizing human rights and community-led approaches across ASEAN’s existing and future policies on digital rights.
This requires consultations with ASEAN Member States – including civil society – throughout all stages of development and implementation.
The briefing paper emphasizes the need to protect people’s right to privacy and fundamental freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly, association, and political participation, both online and offline.
“While ASEAN’s historical context and institutional nature explain its strong focus on the digital economy, human rights must not be treated as a sideline. The notion of a ‘people-oriented, people-centred’ ASEAN cannot be realized without robust human rights safeguards. However, this is only possible when the processes and engagements shaping ASEAN are grounded in a human-centric approach, alongside meaningful civil society engagement and civic participation. Without these, ASEAN will neither improve people’s lives nor keep them safe.”
AI in ASEAN
In recent years, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become increasingly present in everyday life, sometimes in subtle or unnoticed ways.
The briefing paper recommends that the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) – in consultation with civil society – to develop a regional framework for environmentally sustainable and human rights-centred AI. In addition, there should be guidelines on people’s right to opt out of AI-powered technologies and services.
As for AI governance, the briefing paper urges the ASEAN Secretariat to adopt a multistakeholder approach that prioritizes people’s welfare over corporate interests.
“A public interest approach to AI in ASEAN means building technologies that respectfully complement human judgment and community self‑governance, so that more diverse communities can safely participate in, access, and shape the digital knowledge ecosystem,” said Rachel Judhistari, Lead Public Policy Specialist of Wikimedia Foundation.
There should be consultations with diverse civil society actors, including the youth, women, LGBTQIA+ people, people with disabilities, older people, migrants, rural communities, Indigenous Peoples, and historically marginalized and oppressed groups.
“The report is a comprehensive analysis of ASEAN policy-making and frameworks for the adoption and governance of disruptive technologies. We hope the report will be a resource for researchers and advocates to engage constructively in just and equitable public policy development for the region.”
Bridging digital divides, upholding right to opt out
Although more and more people are seemingly online, digital divides still exist across the region and within countries.
The report highlighted that despite having a growing digital economy, its benefits are not evenly distributed. Urban and rural communities have glaringly different levels of digital access, with women and other marginalized groups lagging behind.
The report added that many communities still have limited connectivity, resulting from either inadequate infrastructure or the inability to afford devices and data plans.
The briefing paper stresses the need for targeted and needs-based digital infrastructure investment to provide people with a truly inclusive and meaningful digital participation as well as to address digital illiteracy and inequality.
Equally important is for individuals and communities to retain control over their participation in digital ecosystems. The paper highlights the importance of free, informed, and meaningful choice to engage safely and voluntarily with digital technologies and services. The right to opt out is a critical dimension of digital inclusion moving forward.
“As ASEAN advances digital inclusion, it must also address the structural and socioeconomic barriers that many individuals and communities continue to face. Digital adoption cannot simply be mandated but fostered through civic participation and the protection of fundamental freedoms and rights.”
For inquiries, kindly contact Mai Lagman, Oxfam Pilipinas: communications@oxfam.org.ph
Read the full briefing paper here.