UN presents global principles to combat hate online and calls for action

Technology companies must take responsibility and limit the damage to society, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Monday as he unveiled a set of global principles to combat online hate.

The principles provide a framework for coordinated international action to make information spaces safer and more humane, “one of the most urgent challenges of our time,” a UN statement said.

False and disinformation, hate speech and other risks to the information ecosystem fuel conflict, threaten democracy and human rights, and undermine public health and climate protection, the UN said in a statement.

“Their spread is now being accelerated by the rapid rise of readily available artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, increasing the threat to groups often targeted in information spaces, including children.”

The principles would “give people the power to demand their rights,” Guterres said.

“At a time when billions of people are exposed to misrepresentations, distortions and lies, these principles provide a clear path forward that is firmly anchored in human rights, including the right to freedom of expression and opinion.”

The principles call on governments, technology companies, advertisers and industry to take responsibility for the distribution and monetization of content that causes harm.

“Government, technology companies, AI developers and advertisers should take special measures to protect and empower children,” the United Nations said.

Those involved in AI development are urged to ensure that applications are designed, deployed and used safely, securely, responsibly and ethically, and that human rights are respected.

The principles also call for free and independent media and strong protection for journalists, researchers and civil society.