INTRODUCTION
Human rights violations have altered in the digital world, assuming new forms and creating new concerns. The digital era has brought both advances and issues to the area of human rights. While digital technologies have facilitated communication, information exchange, and campaigning, they have also given rise to new sorts of human rights abuses. Human rights and IT firms regularly cross paths. Every new piece of technology has the potential to revolutionize how we live. The present problem is how these disruptions influence human rights. The preceding 10 years have witnessed a growth in debate around themes including censorship, data privacy, digital security, and protection against surveillance, among others. Important human rights instruments like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights emphasize the importance of these rights as well as the fundamental freedoms of expression and privacy.
WHAT IS CSR?
An organization’s commitment to being accountable to its stakeholders, the general public, and its principles is fostered via the strategic approach known as corporate social responsibility (CSR).[1] Companies that practice corporate responsibility acknowledge their impact on a variety of societal spheres, such as economics, social welfare, and the environment. By implementing CSR practices, a business displays its commitment to conducting business in a way that benefits society and the environment rather than harming it.
IMPORTANCE OF HUMAN RIGHTS TO BE CONSIDERED BY TECH COMPANIES
Ethics: Tech businesses, as powerful worldwide organizations, have a moral responsibility to preserve and defend human rights by refusing to support or condone actions that violate these rights, such as invasions of privacy, discrimination, or censorship.
Societal obligation: The goods, services, and algorithms developed by tech businesses have the potential to have significant effects on users’ rights, freedoms, and general well-being. This is due to the technology’s ever-increasing significance in changing societies and people’s lives.[2] Human rights must be prioritized to make sure that technology serves society and produces favourable results.
Legal obligation: Tech businesses are required to abide by the rules and regulations that cover user data processing, internet safety, and the defence of human rights in many different countries to avoid legal repercussions and maintain public trust.[3]
Brand and trust: The recognition of human rights improves a digital company’s brand (reputation) and trust among users, investors, partners, and stakeholders, increasing their likelihood of luring customers and retaining a devoted user base.
Increasing productivity: Productivity and employee morale are expected to rise as a result of employers that share their employees’ ethical standards and beliefs.[4] Respect for human rights not only improves workplace morale but also attracts top talent and creates a productive environment.
CHALLENGES DEALING WITH HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE DIGITAL AGE
Transparency and privacy are two of the top ethical issues facing the Internet industry. The 2018 Facebook and Cambridge Analytica controversy serves as a prime example of this, in which loose Facebook data-sharing regulations allowed political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica to gather and utilize personal information from millions of users without their knowledge.[5] It became apparent. The event brought up important issues about user data privacy, including its possible effects on the political process, human autonomy, and freedom of choice.
Responsible businesses like Apple have adopted stringent privacy rules to guarantee that customer data is shielded from unwanted access to counteract such problems. We provide users control over their information and are clear about our data-gathering procedures.[6]
Corporate responsibility covers staff health in addition to user rights. Worker organizing efforts and rallies in Silicon Valley have brought attention to issues with pay equity, flexible scheduling, and workplace safety. Employees at Google and Amazon, for instance, desire better working conditions and regulations that uphold our ideals of inclusivity and respect. Businesses that place a high priority on employee rights and welfare not only help create a more equal work environment but also set the bar for moral behaviour in the sector. By implementing ethical work policies, these businesses demonstrate their dedication to protecting human rights both within and outside of their corporate walls.
RECOMMENDATION
For purposes like national security, law enforcement, or intelligence collection, governments may spy on both domestic residents and visitors. This may entail keeping an eye on conversations, internet surfing patterns, social media interactions, and more. Mass surveillance initiatives can stifle free speech and reduce people’s capacity to hold private talks without worrying about being watched. Strong legislative frameworks, open data practices, and increasing public knowledge of people’s rights and the dangers of engaging in online activity are all necessary for protecting online privacy and correcting abuses of online monitoring. The preservation of individual rights in the digital era should be balanced with legitimate interests, such as national security, per international human rights treaties, such as the right to privacy.
CONCLUSION
Given their power as global forces influencing societies and people’s lives, tech corporations have a significant corporate duty to protect human rights. These businesses must place a high value on diversity, accessibility, and moral ideals. Respecting human rights not only improves their standing and builds consumer, investor, and stakeholder trust, but it also secures the long-term viability of their firm. Maintaining public trust and avoiding legal repercussions requires compliance with data processing and internet safety standards. Additionally, prioritizing human rights attracts workers who share the company’s values, resulting in a happy work environment and the release of top talent, which boosts productivity. Governments and international organizations are increasingly examining non-compliance, which might result in harsher rules that influence the operations of IT businesses. Tech businesses can support sustainable development goals and close the digital divide by incorporating human rights into their business strategy. This will transform technology into a force for progress on a global scale. Tech businesses can help create a more diverse, moral, and successful future by accepting their responsibilities as corporate stewards of human rights.
Author(s) Name: Nikhil Rathore (SVKM ,NMIMS School of Law Indore)
References:
[1] Duane Windsor, “THE FUTURE OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY”,
(Emerald Insight,1 March 2001)< https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/eb028934/full/html> accessed 10 Aug 2023.
[2] Shrey Madaan, ‘Digital Rights and Human Charter’, (Cyber Peace Corps,2022)
< https://www.cyberpeacecorps.in/digital-rights-and-human-charter/> Accessed 10 August 2023.
[3] Sarah, ‘Human Rights Responsibilities of Tech Companies Operating in MENA’, (masaar, 13 February 2023)
< https://masaar.net/en/human-rights-responsibilities-of-tech-companies-operating-in-mena/> Accessed 10 august 2023.
[4] Lottie Lane, ‘Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights: Corporate Responsibility in AI Governance Initiatives’, (Nordic Journal of Human Rights,5 January 2023)
< https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/18918131.2022.2137288> Accessed 10 august 2023.
[5] Nicholas Confessore,” Cambridge Analytica and Facebook: The Scandal and the Fallout So Far,”(The New Work Times, 4 April 2018)<https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/04/us/politics/cambridge-analytica-scandal-fallout.html> Accessed 11 august 2023.
[6] Aayush Maheshwari, ‘Human rights in the digital age’, (Latest Laws, 26 April 2020)< https://www.latestlaws.com/articles/human-rights-in-digital-age-by-by-aayush-maheshwari#:~:text=Conventional%20human%20ethics%20and%20principles,%2C%20misinform%2C%20and%20cost%20lives.> Accessed 11 august 2023.
