UNAIDS has warned that cyberattacks, data breaches, online harassment and other forms of technology-facilitated violence are becoming major obstacles to HIV prevention and treatment, as digital security increasingly becomes an essential part of the global response to the epidemic.
According to UNAIDS, protecting digital privacy has become just as important as expanding access to HIV prevention, testing and treatment, particularly for communities already facing stigma, discrimination and criminalisation.
Daria Ocheret, a specialist with UNAIDS, stated that the rapid digital transformation of healthcare has created both opportunities and new dangers, making cybersecurity an essential component of public health strategies.
Ocheret explained that digital security is no longer simply an information technology concern but a human rights issue with direct consequences for people living with HIV and those most at risk of infection.
The urgency of the issue became especially apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic, when lockdowns forced many HIV services to move online almost overnight. While digital platforms enabled healthcare providers to continue supporting patients, they also exposed major inequalities in internet access, digital literacy and online security.
In Zimbabwe, for example, one health clinic published detailed instructions on its website explaining how patients could continue receiving antiretroviral medicines during lockdown restrictions.
However, many people living with HIV only had access to limited mobile data packages that supported social media and messaging applications rather than standard websites, preventing them from accessing critical health information.
“The gap between our assumptions about how digital technologies could improve access to services and what people could actually access was something that really struck me.”
Daria Ocheret
Also, in Kazakhstan, another challenge emerged when an organisation established by women living with HIV helped clients obtain QR codes required to enter healthcare facilities during the pandemic. Some individuals did not own mobile phones, while others struggled to navigate the digital systems introduced to manage public health restrictions.
According to Ocheret, these examples illustrate that the digital divide extends far beyond differences between wealthy and developing nations. It also exists within communities, affecting people living with HIV, LGBTQI individuals, sex workers and people who use drugs, many of whom lack reliable internet connections, suitable devices or the digital skills needed to access online services.
“How do we make sure that digital inequality does not create even greater barriers to HIV services? That requires systemic solutions.”
Daria Ocheret
As healthcare increasingly relies on digital platforms, UNAIDS argues that ensuring equitable access must remain central to global HIV strategies.
Data Breaches, Online Violence and AI Create New Challenges for HIV Services
The growing reliance on digital technologies has also increased exposure to cyberattacks targeting organisations that provide HIV services and support vulnerable communities.
According to UNAIDS, threats that once appeared largely theoretical have become an everyday reality for many civil society organisations.
In 2020, the agency supported digital security training for women’s organisations in Kazakhstan, Belarus and Ukraine, including instruction on using virtual private networks (VPNs) to improve online safety.
Ocheret noted that, “at that time, these threats were still largely theoretical.”
Today, the situation has changed dramatically. A 2025 survey involving 21 LGBTQI organisations across 17 countries found that most had experienced cyberattacks, often repeatedly, while many lacked sufficient resources or expertise to respond effectively.
Ocheret stressed that digital violence cannot be separated from physical violence experienced by many marginalised communities.
“It would be wrong to say that digital technologies have caused an increase in violence. They have simply become another space where harm can be inflicted on key populations and on the organizations that support them.”
Daria Ocheret
The risks are particularly severe in countries where same-sex relationships, sex work or drug use remain criminalised.
UNAIDS noted that 64 countries continue to criminalise same-sex relationships, although the Global AIDS Strategy seeks to reduce that figure to just 10 percent.
Among the most serious concerns are data breaches involving sensitive personal information.
UNAIDS partners in Eastern Europe and Central Asia have reported incidents involving fake dating profiles, unlawful searches of mobile phones, social media surveillance, phishing attacks, blackmail and coordinated disinformation campaigns targeting activists and community organisations.
In one Central Asian country, repeated hacking and phishing attacks exposed an organisation’s office location and confidential lists of activists. The resulting harassment and blackmail forced the organisation to shut down before eventually restarting under a new name with stronger cybersecurity measures.
However, limited funding continues to prevent many community organisations from maintaining adequate digital protections or providing secure devices for staff.
Emerging technologies are creating additional opportunities and challenges. Artificial intelligence is increasingly supporting vaccine research, disease surveillance and health counselling, while chatbots are helping organisations reach vulnerable communities at relatively low cost.
For instance, in Brazil, a chatbot designed specifically for young transgender people has become a trusted source of information, with some users sharing concerns they would not feel comfortable discussing with healthcare workers.
Yet Ocheret warned that such trust depends entirely on maintaining confidentiality. The dangers become even greater where mobile phones are shared among family members or neighbours.
Research conducted in Kenya found that many people use shared devices, meaning chatbot notifications, browsing histories or saved messages could unintentionally reveal someone’s HIV status or sexual orientation.
To address these growing challenges, UNAIDS is encouraging organisations to strengthen both digital and physical security by regularly reviewing risks, updating cybersecurity protocols, ensuring access to legal support and allocating dedicated funding for digital protection.
Rather than imposing universal technological solutions, the agency is supporting community-led innovations that reflect local realities and can be adapted to different social and legal environments.
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