UN Secretary General sets up panel on digital cooperation to tackle cybersecurity threats

United Nations (UN) Secretary General Antonio Guterres has established first-of-its-kind panel on digital cooperation aimed at addressing concerns of cybersecurity threats and rise in hate speech. The high-level panel on digital cooperation will be co-chaired by US philanthropist Melinda Gates and China-based Alibaba founder Jack Ma.

Key Facts

The panel will have 20 members in total and include leaders from technology, public policy, science and academia etc. Senior Indian diplomat Amandeep Singh Gill along with former diplomat Jovan Kurbalija will be executive directors of panel’s secretariat. It will map trends in digital technologies, identify gaps and opportunities and outline proposals for strengthening international cooperation. It will focus on cyber-bullying, abuse rise, fake news, cyber crime and security aspects.

Background

Digital technologies are expanding rapidly and are changing economies and societies at warp speed. At the same time, world is only beginning to address its dark side– such as cybersecurity threats, risks of cyberwarfare  magnification of hate speech and violations of privacy. Global community is also facing uncertainness about security, equity, ethics, and human rights in digital age. Fake news, poisoning of data, electoral manipulation are concerns that have been highlighted by recent developments. So there is need to seize potential of technology while safeguarding against risks and unintended consequences.

Month: Current Affairs - July, 2018