The resolution reaffirms the UN’s position that people should have equal rights online as offline, explicitly stating that “the same rights that people have offline must also be protected online, in particular freedom of expression, which is applicable regardless of frontiers and through any media of one’s choice … “.

The resolution was passed by consensus, although some countries, including Russia, China, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and India called for the deletion of a passage that “condemns unequivocally measures to intentionally prevent or disrupt access to our dissemination of information online”. Although these type of resolutions are not legally enforceable, they put pressure on governments and support digital rights activists who advocate on such issues, The Verge notes.

Access Now welcomed the resolution, pointing out its timeliness: the organisation has recorded 20 shutdowns around the world in 2016 so far, compared to 15 in total last year.