A/HRC/50/56 I. Introduction 1. In its resolution 47/23 on new and emerging digital technologies and human rights, the Human Rights Council reaffirmed the importance of a holistic, inclusive and comprehensive approach and the need for all stakeholders to collaborate in a more concerted way in addressing the possible impacts, opportunities and challenges of new and emerging digital technologies with regard to the promotion and protection of human rights. It requested the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to convene an expert consultation to discuss the practical application of the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights2 to the activities of technology companies and to submit a report to the Council at its fiftieth session. The Council further requested OHCHR to seek input from and to take into account the relevant work already done by stakeholders from diverse geographic regions. 2. In accordance with the latter request, a call for submissions was sent out on 22 December 2021 to all States and other stakeholders mentioned in resolution 47/23, and 37 submissions were received.3 3. Furthermore, pursuant to the same resolution, OHCHR convened a two-day expert consultation on 7 and 8 March 2022.4 The consultation explored the normative content, as well as the practical experiences, opportunities and challenges faced, in applying the Guiding Principles to the technology sector. A detailed account of the deliberations from the consultation is included in an addendum to the present report.5 4. The aim of the present report is to demonstrate the value and practical application of the Guiding Principles in preventing and addressing adverse impacts on human rights related to technology companies. The report draws on, and is informed by, the OHCHR B-Tech Project,6 deliberations during the consultation and stakeholder submissions. II. Application of the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights to the technology sector A. Background 5. In recent years there has been an increasing focus on the interrelationship between human rights and technology. It has been well documented that new digital technologies, such as social media, cloud computing, Internet-of-things devices and artificial intelligence systems can contribute to positive social, economic and development effects, and that overall advances in digital technologies contribute to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals. However, the use of these same technologies by companies, State agencies, consumers and the wider public can also have negative impacts on people’s lives, sometimes in severe and irreparable ways. Leaks of personal information, dissemination of hate speech, the undermining of democratic processes and “algorithmic discrimination” – to name but a few of the documented risks – can all negatively affect the ability of people to enjoy their human rights.7 6. A wealth of new initiatives, including standards, analyses and recommendations emerging from the United Nations human rights mechanisms, have highlighted that the 2 3 4 5 6 7 2 Endorsed by the Human Rights Council in its resolution 17/4 of 16 June 2011. See https://www.ohchr.org/en/events/consultations/2022/ohchr-consultation-and-call-submissionpractical-application-united. See the concept note for the consultation, available at https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/202203/UNGPs-tech-consultation-CN-7_8_March_2022.pdf. A/HRC/50/56/Add.1. See https://www.ohchr.org/en/business/b-tech-project. See https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3768813.