Business & Human Rights

China Requires Tech Firms to Report on Logging of User Data

December 10, 2018

Al Jazeera reports that, in a move likely to reignite controversy regarding cooperation between Western technology firms and the Chinese government, the country’s Cyberspace Administration is requiring new “assessment reports” from internet platforms showing they are logging accurate details of their users.
NGO Produces “Mapping” of Women’s Issues in UNGPs

December 10, 2018

The Danish Institute for Human Rights has published a global “mapping” of gender-related issues national governments should review when considering their implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs).
Australian Government Reforms OECD Contact Point

December 10, 2018

In November, the Australian Treasury Department announced a series of reforms to the country’s National Contact Point for the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, including the creation of an “Independent Examiner” and advisory board to increase the body’s independence and reduce its accountability to government.
Ruggie: Facebook Must Do More to Comply with BHR Principles

December 10, 2018

Harvard Professor John Ruggie writes that, given the range of problems tech giant Facebook is facing, from allegations of electoral interference to allowing “murderous incitement” on its platform, the tech giant must alter its business model to work toward its pledge to comply with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (BHR).
Global Bodies Seek to Merge Corporate Reporting Standards

December 07, 2018

In November, the Global Reporting Initiative and other organizations promulgating international corporate reporting standards launched a two-year project seeking to align their standards on “sustainability” reporting to produce consistent policies for businesses to use to report on their social and environmental impacts.