Human Rights in a Wired World

Sixty years after the proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the world finds itself a very different place, where almost anyone, anywhere, has the potential to access an endless source of information and communicate directly with the rest of the world.

One of the most powerful influencers of change on our global society has been information and communications technology (ICT), and there are many examples of how ICT has provided opportunities and risks for human rights.

The human rights implications of ICT for company strategy can be understood from three different perspectives:

1. Companies creating ICT: How can companies design, develop, and promote the use of their ICT products in a manner that is aligned with human rights?
2. Companies using ICT: How can companies use ICT in a way that protects and advances human rights?
3. Companies responding to a society that uses ICT: How can companies operate in a society that is evolving its use of ICT while considering the human rights implications?

This series of snapshots looks at ICT impacts on human rights, each one featuring an article in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and highlighting examples of companies and organizations that have acted in this space. We hope that this series helps your company better understand the potential role of technology as a tool to protect and advance human rights.