Amnesty International has raised concerns over a critical moment for international law as governments and corporate entities blatantly violate established rules. The organization highlights how various political actors are increasingly targeting women, LGBTI individuals, and marginalized communities for political gain.
Utilizing new and existing technologies, these repressive forces are spreading disinformation, inciting division among communities, and discriminating against minorities. For instance, facial recognition technologies are being misused in countries such as Argentina, Brazil, India, and the UK to monitor public events and discriminate against vulnerable groups like migrants and refugees.
In conflict zones like the West Bank, Israel is leveraging facial recognition to enforce apartheid and restrict freedom of movement. Additionally, the introduction of automated social welfare systems in countries like Serbia has resulted in marginalized communities, including Roma populations and individuals with disabilities, losing access to crucial assistance, underscoring how automation can deepen existing inequalities.
Moreover, as millions of people flee conflicts worldwide, abusive technologies are being deployed for migration governance and border control. This includes digital monitoring, biometrics, and algorithm-driven decision-making systems, perpetuating discrimination and racism against racialized individuals.
Despite continued human rights violations associated with spyware, little regulation exists in this area. Amnesty International uncovered the use of Pegasus spyware in countries like Armenia, the Dominican Republic, India, and Serbia, highlighting the urgent need for oversight.
In light of the growing challenges posed by technology, European policymakers recently implemented the Digital Services Act, sparking global conversations about regulating artificial intelligence. These advancements have the potential to exacerbate existing threats, such as the weaponization of social media algorithms to fuel discord and spread hate speech during elections.
As the US and India gear up for significant elections, social media platforms face increasing abuse and discrimination against marginalized groups, including the LGBTI community and religious minorities. Amidst these challenges, politicians continue to exploit divisive narratives to secure votes, while unregulated technologies like facial recognition perpetuate discrimination.
In conclusion, the unchecked proliferation of technology poses a grave threat to human rights and democracy worldwide. Without robust regulation and accountability measures, these tools can be manipulated to consolidate power, amplify dangerous narratives, and undermine the fabric of society.
