Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
As HIV and social services move online, protecting privacy and addressing the digital divide have become urgent priorities, according to Daria Ocheret of the United Nations HIV/AIDS programme. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the digital transformation of HIV testing and treatment, but revealed significant disparities in digital access among affected populations.
For example, in Zimbabwe, many people living with HIV could only access social media and messaging apps due to limited mobile data, restricting access to essential online health information during lockdowns. In Kazakhstan, some clients lacked the devices or knowledge to use digital systems like QR codes required for health facility entry, as highlighted by a local women's organization supporting people living with HIV.
The digital divide exists not only between countries but also within communities, depending on connectivity, device access, internet reliability, and digital skills. Groups such as people living with HIV, LGBTQI individuals, sex workers, and people who use drugs face varying levels of access, which may create greater barriers without systemic interventions.
According to UNAIDS, digital threats once considered theoretical have become real challenges. A 2025 survey across 17 countries found that most of 21 LGBTI organizations faced repeated cyberattacks, with limited capacity to respond. Digital violence is closely linked with offline violence, including attacks on LGBTI offices and shelters.
The report emphasizes that digital technologies have not increased violence, but rather offer additional venues where harm can occur against key populations and supportive organizations. This challenge is compounded by ongoing criminalization of same-sex relationships in about 64 countries, roughly a third of the world, which UNAIDS aims to substantially reduce.
UNAIDS advocates for strong digital security measures and systemic solutions to ensure equitable access and safety in online HIV services, highlighting these as critical components of the global response to HIV/AIDS.