Human Rights Impact Assessment for Digital Public Infrastructure: A Framework

GPD has developed a framework to help stakeholders identify, assess, and address the human rights and rule of law impacts of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) design and implementation.

The framework offers an adaptable model and methodology for understanding how people and communities interact with DPI systems, identifying risks and designing safeguards to ensure digital transformation is rooted in accountability and public trust. It is designed to be used across the DPI initiative lifecycle, from assessment through deployment to decommissioning.

Who is it for?

The framework is designed for anyone involved in the design, deployment, governance, funding, oversight, or assessment of DPI, including: governments, technology providers, private sector partners, civil society, researchers and more.

What does it support users to do?

• Understand how a DPI initiative may affect human rights & rule of law
• Identify who may benefit from, be harmed by a DPI system
• Assess potential risks to users and communities
• Design mitigation measures
• Monitor impacts and respond to emerging risks over time.