Guide helps companies respect human rights in an increasingly digitalised world

Virtually all major companies are now active in the digital ecosystem. Private companies are increasingly benefitting from facial recognition technologies, algorithmic decision-making and many other digital products and services. However, technological breakthroughs have their downsides. When, for example, companies sell facial recognition systems and software in countries that have no data protection laws to protect their citizens, it can lead to severe human rights abuses.

To help companies handle their digital operations responsibly, the Institute has developed guidance on conducting human rights impact assessments of digital activities. The guide offers a methodology that all companies can use if they are designing, developing, selling, or otherwise using digital projects, products, and services.

Tracking human rights harms

So far, there has been a shortage of guidance available for companies who wish to act responsibly and with respect for human rights in their digital activities. At the same time, an increasing number of civil society organisations, and academic and intra-governmental organisations are calling on companies to conduct human rights impact assessments of their digital operations.

One of these organisations is Ranking Digital Rights (RDR), an NGO that promotes freedom of expression and privacy on the internet. According to Jan Rydzak, company engagement lead of RDR, the guidance is ‘a critical instrument, not just because it is firmly grounded in human rights, but also because it is tailored to a digital world. Human rights harms are insidious and tracking them is an increasingly challenging labyrinth to navigate. The guidance illuminates many of the points that Ranking Digital Rights has made on human rights due diligence and equips civil society and companies alike with an excellent framework’.