Office of the Ombudsman creates office to protect citizens' rights on the internet

Microsoft's Digital Civility Index (ICD) reports that Colombia is one of the three countries with the worst digital practices in the world. In South America, more than 80% of netizens commit online offenses and another 66% consider themselves victims in digital media.

Against this background, the Office of the Ombudsman decided to set up a new office dedicated to these issues. It is a Delegate Ombudsman's Office for the Protection of Rights in Digital Environments and Freedom of Expression.

The official points out that Colombians, on average, use the internet on any device for 9 hours and 38 minutes a day, which is about three hours above the world average. In addition, there are 32 million Facebook accounts, 12 million Instagram accounts, more than 3 million on Twitter and 409,000 on TikTok, of which 26.9% are minors.

Added to this is the ICD and figures from the National Police in which it is warned that every four hours a Colombian person is a victim of extortion on social networks. Likewise, the entity points out that website impersonation in Colombia increased by 358% during the pandemic and every year more than 35,000 Colombians are victims of cybercrime.

Advocate Camargo points out that technology is currently at the hands of almost everyone and has made available scenarios where this interaction takes place on a daily and massive basis. It ensures that just as the tool is positive, since it allows certain rights to be exercised and strengthened and freedoms are practiced, there are also violations of them. The official points out that among the most attacked are privacy, privacy and data protection.

The Office of the Ombudsman assured that it will develop pedagogical campaigns aimed at the prevention and reparation of victims of rights violated in digital contexts. It was indicated that the entity's objective is to tune in with those millions of Colombians who remain part of their lives in digital environments and need to be accompanied and guaranteed their rights.

Keys to Preventing Internet Risks

1. Do not respond to or click on links you receive from unknown senders; first make sure it is a reliable source.

2. Change your passwords periodically and use a different one for each of your accounts.

3. Don't leave your accounts open on public computers; avoid accepting people you don't know on your social networks, even if you have a lot of mutual friends.

4. Be aware of the privacy ratings that social networks offer for posting content.

5. Don't post everything you do, or all the places you go. Keep in mind that this is information that criminals can use.

6. Avoid exchanging photos, videos, or intimate messages over the Internet. Remember that it can become content for other risks such as cyberbullying or grooming.

7. Avoid encounters with people you have met in digital environments; keep in mind that there is always the possibility that it is a fake profile.

8. Control the browsing time of children and adolescents on the Internet, applying parental control tools.

9. Be aware of the pages and instant messaging platforms used by children and adolescents.

10. Report and report any situation that violates its integrity in digital environments through line 141 of the National Police; the National Virtual Complaint System (https://adenunciar.policia.gov.co/adenunciar), and the Virtual CAI of the National Police at ( https://caivirtual.policia.gov.co/).

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