Citation[]
Principles of Responsible Investment, Theme 3: Covid-19, Privacy Rights and Cyber Security Risks (Sept. 7, 2020) (full-text).
Overview[]
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, governments have introduced measures around bio-surveillance, censorship and misinformation that could have significant impacts on privacy rights. Among recent initiatives, governments have passed laws relating to around the tracking of people's movements, communications and health data, leveraging telecommunications, camera footage, transport bookings, financial data, social media, facial recognition and temperature checkpoints.
In some cases, governments have deployed artificial intelligence to enable mass surveillance and social control2, often without proper oversight, regulation or checks and balances.
Governments are setting up these systems, but private businesses are providing the tools. In this context, businesses may be aiding governments in measures that violate civil and political rights. Businesses may also be adversely impacting people's human rights without the involvement of governments. Therefore, it is incumbent on businesses to think carefully about their obligations under international human rights law.
Privacy rights and cyber security-related business challenges have been amplified by the COVID pandemic, raising concerns for institutional investors. This briefing provides guidance to support investors in developing a better understanding of the scope of risks and their potential impacts on portfolio companies.