RightsCon Toronto 2018

Security researchers have never been more important to the security of the Internet. By identifying and disclosing vulnerabilities, coders are able to improve security for every user who depends on information systems for their daily life and work. They are a crucial part of any effective security strategy. Yet vague and sweeping computer crime legislation (and bills) in the United States, Canada, and Latin America, are threatening to create legal woes for security researchers who expose security flaws, providing a strong disincentive for the disclosure of public interest security research. Coders speech is protected by Article 13 of the Inter-American Convention, which contains a broad and generous recognition of the right to freedom of expression. Several procedural and substantial guarantees protects coders as well. Latin American countries have been active writing computer-related crimes into law. However, coders in general, but security researchers in particular, are prone to be affected by some of these measures. This session is meant to discuss if the Inter-American System of Human Rights offers coders defenses against their work, and compare national laws that may directly or indirectly affect their work, and may be in violation of the Inter-american human rights standards.