HRC@20 - Side Event Models of platform regulation and HRC output on national regulation

As digital technologies continue to reshape societies, their regulation has emerged as a key priority. Different regulatory initiatives are currently emerging at the international, regional and national levels with the aim of strengthening the digital rights of users. The United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) has already begun to address the human rights implications of new and emerging digital technologies, notably through resolution 53/29 and reports such as the 'Practical application of the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights to the activities of technology companies, including activities relating to artificial intelligence' by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

At the regional level, the EU Digital Services Act is serving as a blueprint for similar initiatives globally, an influence often labelled the 'Brussels Effect'. This includes developments such as the bill on communications platforms and search engines (LPCom) put forward by the Swiss Federal Council. The Swiss Federal Council has also developed initiatives like the Digital Self-Determination Network to ensure that technological developments foster innovation while adhering to the fundamental values of a democratic society.

This side event asks to what extent these efforts can effectively protect human rights in the digital sphere and how to ensure that regulatory initiatives comply with the obligations of states to protect human rights.

Objectives

• Examine and compare different models of platform regulation.
• Highlight existing challenges and opportunities for ensuring effective human rights protection in the digital sphere.
• Put forward key recommendations for states and other actors on how to regulate online platforms.

Speakers

Opening: H.E. Riia Salsa-Audiffren, Permanent Representative of Estonia to the UN in Geneva

• Nathalie Stadelmann, Human Rights Officer, Business and Human Rights & Tech and Human Rights Section, OHCHR.
• Dr. Stefania Di Stefano, Postdoctoral Researcher and Dr. Suzanne Vergnolle, Director of the Research Chair on Online Content Moderation (Cnam).
• Chantal Joris, Interim Head of Law and Policy, ARTICLE 19.

Moderation: Felix Kirchmeier, Director, Geneva Human Rights Hub 

Organisers

Geneva Human Rights Hub (GHRH) in collaboration with the Research Chair on Online Content Moderation of the Conservatoire national des arts et métiers (CNAM), Article 19, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) and the Permanent Missions of Estonia and Switzerland.