The United Nations (UN) has called on Big Tech companies to “take responsibility” for the damages caused by their digital products to information integrity and put adequate and effective measures in place to counter threats persisting from misleading and potentially harmful content.
At a press conference this week, the UN Secretary General António Guterres asked tech conglomerates to acknowledge and take action against the harms their systems are inflicting on “people and communities” with regards to the spread of mis-and-disinformation.
“First, to the big tech companies — take responsibility,” said Guterres on Monday. “Acknowledge the damage your products are inflicting on people and communities.”
The secretary-general made these remarks at the launch of the UN’s Global Principles for Information Integrity — a framework of recommendations aimed at promoting “a more humane information system”.
“The spread of hatred and lies online is causing grave harm to our world,” said Guterres. “Misinformation, disinformation and hate speech are fueling prejudice and violence; exacerbating divisions and conflicts; demonizing minorities; and compromising the integrity of elections.”
Shedding light on the Global Principles for Information Integrity, the UN’s secretary-general stated that the recommendations are based on five primary pillars: societal trust and resilience; independent, free, and pluralistic media; healthy incentives; transparency and research; and public empowerment. The recommendations can be used around the world to promote a healthy information ecosystem, he said.
The Global Principles for Information Integrity comprises 26 recommendations for tech and artificial intelligence (AI) firms. They include incorporation of transparency in business models based on online advertising system that profits from potentially harmful content, including hate and disinformation, and the labelling of content generated through AI tools.
“No one should be at the mercy of an algorithm they don’t control, which was not designed to safeguard their interests, and which tracks their behaviour to collect personal data and keep them hooked,” the secretary-general said.
Coordinated disinformation campaigns are seeking to undermine climate action, which is a cause of particular concern, Guterres added.
Addressing the governments around the world, the secretary-general called for a free, viable and independent media, protections for journalists, regulations to uphold human rights, and refraining from imposing “drastic measures”, including blanket internet shutdowns.
