Human rights principles Archives | Digital Watch Observatory

ILO highlights child protection risks amid digital transformation

The International Labour Organization (ILO), together with UNICEF and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), used a high-level roundtable in Türkiye to highlight the growing connection between digital transformation and child protection.

While the event focused primarily on eliminating child labour, discussions also examined the opportunities and risks associated with rapid technological change.

ILO Türkiye Director Yasser Hassan noted that digital transformation can support economic development, productivity growth and poverty reduction. However, he warned that rapidly evolving technologies may also expose children to new forms of exploitation, including technology-enabled commercial sexual exploitation and other online harms.

Participants stressed that child protection considerations should be incorporated into the design, deployment and governance of digital technologies from the outset. The discussion reflected growing international concern that digitalisation can create new vulnerabilities alongside economic opportunities, particularly for children and young people.

The ILO roundtable also highlighted Türkiye’s broader policy agenda, including digital transformation initiatives within the National Employment Strategy 2025–2028. Stakeholders emphasised the importance of ensuring that digital innovation is accompanied by education, social protection, labour rights protections and child safeguarding measures.

Why does it matter?

The discussion reflects an increasingly important policy debate: how digital transformation can be harnessed while protecting vulnerable groups from emerging risks.

As governments, businesses and international organisations accelerate the adoption of AI, digital platforms and connected technologies, concerns about online child exploitation, digital rights and technology governance are becoming more prominent.

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Pope Leo XIV warns AI must not replace human judgement and dignity

Pope Leo XIV has reiterated his concerns about AI, warning that technological advances should not diminish the role of human judgement, human dignity and personal relationships. Speaking before the Spanish Congress, the pope said AI offers significant opportunities but cannot replace human beings or the values that sustain society.

Referring to his recent encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, Leo XIV argued that technology reflects the choices of those who design, finance and regulate it. He stressed that policymakers and businesses must ensure that AI development continues to prioritise human dignity, labour rights, solidarity and the common good.

The pope also cautioned against excessive reliance on AI-generated responses, warning that it could weaken creativity, critical thinking and independent judgement. He further warned that AI systems designed to simulate empathy or friendship could create misleading perceptions of human connection, particularly among vulnerable users.

His remarks come amid growing global debate over AI governance and safety. Among those welcoming the pope’s intervention was Chris Olah, who praised the importance of independent voices pushing for responsible AI development and stronger safeguards as the technology becomes increasingly influential.

Why does it matter?

The pope’s intervention reflects a broader global debate over the social and ethical consequences of AI. As governments, technology firms, and international organisations consider how to govern increasingly capable AI systems, concerns are expanding beyond technical risks to include human autonomy, social cohesion, and the future of interpersonal relationships.

The remarks highlight growing calls for AI policies that balance innovation with safeguards designed to preserve human agency and trust.

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India’s human rights commission examines impact of digital arrest scams

The National Human Rights Commission of India (NHRC) held an open house discussion on safeguarding human rights against digital arrest scams, highlighting their growing impact on individual rights, dignity and personal security.

The NHRC Chairperson said cybersecurity-enabled fraud has caused significant financial losses and noted that digital arrest scams often exploit fear of law enforcement authorities to coerce victims into transferring money. Participants also highlighted the challenges victims face in recovering stolen funds and obtaining effective redress.

Speakers stressed the need for stronger protections for vulnerable groups, particularly older adults, alongside improved data protection, public awareness campaigns and faster support mechanisms for victims. Participants also reviewed existing government measures, AI-powered detection tools and industry initiatives aimed at preventing and detecting fraud.

Key recommendations included recognising digital arrest scams as a distinct criminal offence, strengthening measures against mule accounts and the fraudulent misuse of official identities, improving compensation and recovery mechanisms, and enhancing cooperation among government agencies, industry and other stakeholders in India.

Why does it matter?

Digital arrest scams have emerged as a growing form of cyber-enabled fraud, combining social engineering techniques with the impersonation of law enforcement and government authorities. By exploiting fear and urgency, such scams can cause significant financial losses and psychological harm, particularly among vulnerable groups.

The discussion highlights the increasing intersection between cybersecurity, consumer protection and human rights. As digital fraud becomes more sophisticated, policymakers are placing greater emphasis on prevention, victim support, data protection and coordinated responses involving government agencies, technology providers and financial institutions.

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Google highlights rising online scam threats

Google has warned that online scams remain a major global challenge, citing estimates that fraud losses could reach nearly $580 billion in 2025.

In its latest fraud and scams advisory, the company said phishing attacks are becoming more sophisticated, with criminals using adversary-in-the-middle techniques and QR code phishing, also known as quishing, to steal credentials and bypass security measures.

The advisory also highlighted risks linked to cryptocurrency investment scams, malicious finance applications and police impersonation schemes. According to Google, scammers are using AI, social engineering and trusted digital services to deceive users, obtain money and collect sensitive information.

Google said its Trust & Safety teams are using AI tools, predictive analytics and policy enforcement to detect and disrupt fraudulent activity across its services. The company also pointed to measures such as stronger protections for session cookies, enforcement against deceptive crypto ads, monitoring of post-installation app behaviour and developer identity verification for apps installed on certified Android devices.

The company urged users to be cautious of unsolicited communications, unrealistic investment promises, unexpected QR codes and requests for personal or financial information.

Why does it matter?

The advisory shows how online fraud is becoming a cross-platform governance problem rather than a narrow cybersecurity issue. Scams now rely on trusted cloud services, mobile apps, messaging platforms, crypto infrastructure and impersonation of public authorities. That creates pressure on major technology companies to strengthen detection, app accountability and policy enforcement, while raising broader questions about consumer protection, platform responsibility and digital trust.

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EY Malta expands AI in audit services

EY Malta has introduced enterprise-scale agentic AI across its Assurance services, integrating the technology into EY Canvas, the firm’s global audit platform.

The rollout forms part of EY’s wider global strategy to embed AI into audit workflows and support audit quality, risk assessment, and client insights.

EY said the AI-enabled framework helps auditors analyse large volumes of data, assess risks, and access updated auditing and accounting guidance in real time. The firm said the technology is designed to support, not replace, auditors, with professional judgement and human oversight remaining central to the audit process.

The system is integrated with Microsoft Azure, Microsoft Foundry, and Microsoft Fabric, reflecting EY’s broader global partnership with Microsoft on the secure and scalable deployment of AI.

EY said the rollout follows global testing and is part of its long-term investment in audit quality, technology, and workforce development. The firm added that further AI enhancements are planned over the coming years as audit teams use the tools across more stages of the audit process.

EY Malta also highlighted related assurance and advisory services linked to AI readiness, governance, and risk management. The firm said the technology would allow teams in Malta to focus more on risk and audit quality while reducing administrative work.

Why does it matter?

The rollout shows how agentic AI is moving into regulated professional services, including audit, where accuracy, accountability, and human judgement remain central. AI could help auditors analyse larger datasets and focus on higher-risk areas. Still, it also raises questions about oversight, explainability, skills, liability, and how regulators assess AI-supported audit work.

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Researchers develop AI governance tools for public health across the Global Majority

A research team led by Professor Jude Kong from the University of Toronto is developing new tools to monitor, assess, and govern the use of AI in public health across the Global Majority, with a particular focus on Africa.

The team, which includes Jake Effoduh, Jim Hinton, Abbas Yazdinejad, and Maral Niaz, has begun mapping how AI is being integrated into healthcare systems and infrastructure. The work focuses on identifying key actors, technologies and use cases, providing a clearer picture of how AI is becoming embedded in public health systems.

The next phase involves developing a dynamic dashboard designed to track AI systems and support evidence-based decision-making. Rather than relying solely on top-down governance frameworks, the team aims to co-develop tools that policymakers, civil society organisations, educators and practitioners can use in their own contexts.

In practice, this means creating tools that are not only technically robust but also socially legitimate and locally relevant. While strengthening AI literacy and governance capacity across the Global Majority, the initiative aims to empower policymakers with evidence-based insights, support civil society in understanding AI systems, and enable more informed and inclusive decision-making processes.

By bringing together expertise in technology, law, public policy and social impact, the project reflects the multidisciplinary nature of AI governance. The team will present its findings at the AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva, during ITU’s Kaleidoscope sessions on Thursday, 9 July 2026, from 15:30 to 16:30.

Why does this matter in AI world?

AI for the Global Majority (AI4GM) is a joint initiative of the Geneva Graduate Institute, Microsoft and the International Telecommunication Union. The initiative supports research on how AI can benefit majority populations in areas including governance, education, health, finance, and digital innovation.

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Australia welcomes Apple child online safety tools

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has welcomed Apple’s new online safety controls for children, saying Apple CEO Tim Cook briefed him on the announcement.

According to Albanese, Cook said the changes were partly inspired by Australia’s under-16 social media age restrictions and by Apple’s continuing research into the impact of social media on children.

Albanese said Australia was proud of its work to support a safer online environment for children and argued that other countries are now developing similar social media age restrictions.

Cook invited Albanese to visit Apple during his next trip to the United States to see the technology in action. Albanese said he intended to accept the invitation as Australia continues to consider how best to protect children online.

The Prime Minister said Australian parents had led the push for stronger protections and that the government was backing their efforts. He said more than 5 million under-16 accounts had already been removed, deactivated, or restricted.

Albanese said social media companies have a social responsibility and that Australia would continue holding them to account to help keep children safe.

Why does it matter?

The announcement highlights how national online safety rules can shape platform design beyond a country’s borders. Australia’s under-16 social media restrictions have been closely watched internationally, and Albanese is presenting Apple’s new child safety tools as evidence that regulatory pressure can push major technology companies towards stronger child protection features. The case also shows the growing link between device-level controls, platform accountability, age assurance, and children’s digital rights.

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UK to launch national centre for AI in policing

The UK government is preparing to formally launch PoliceAI, a national centre dedicated to AI in policing, later this month. The centre began mobilising in April 2026 and will support police forces in England and Wales with the responsible adoption of AI and automation.

The government says the use of AI in policing must be lawful, ethical and transparent, supported by robust algorithmic assessments before deployment. It also emphasises that accountability for AI performance and the use of AI-generated outputs must be clearly defined through operational procedures and governance frameworks.

PoliceAI will be hosted by the College of Policing and funded through a Home Office grant under Section 57 of the Police Act 1996. The centre is expected to coordinate AI-related activity across police forces, helping to reduce duplication, improve consistency and strengthen public confidence.

PoliceAI will include an AI Lab responsible for developing, testing and evaluating AI tools, products and services for policing applications. It will assess commercial products and open-source models, benchmark their performance in a UK policing context, run sandbox testing, and support more informed procurement and deployment decisions by Chief Officers.

PoliceAI will also support forces with adoption, guidance, procurement, training, and business change. A dedicated strategy and oversight function will also maintain a public registry of AI models used in operational policing, including details of testing, governance checks and deployment safeguards.

Initial priorities include case file assistants, disclosure assistants, crime data integrity tools, rapid analysis of CCTV and digital media, image identification and classification, governance for Copilot use, transcription and translation tools, and possible AI applications for retail crime and tool theft. A Policing AI Threat Hub will support efforts to address criminal misuse of AI, including the detection of deepfakes and AI-generated false evidence.

Why does it matter?

Police forces are increasingly exploring AI tools to support investigations, administrative tasks, evidence analysis and operational decision-making. However, the use of AI in law enforcement raises important questions about transparency, accountability, bias, public trust and oversight.

PoliceAI represents an effort to create a more coordinated approach to AI adoption across policing in England and Wales. By providing testing, governance, training and public transparency mechanisms, the centre aims to help police forces deploy AI technologies more consistently while addressing concerns about their responsible use.

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Malaysian PM urges ethical AI development

Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called for AI development to be guided by humanity, ethics and moral values, arguing that technological progress should serve society and uphold human dignity.

Speaking during a special lecture at the University of Tokyo, Anwar said AI and other emerging technologies could transform economies, improve public services and enhance quality of life. However, he stressed that innovation should be shaped by strong ethical principles rather than technological capability alone.

According to Anadolu Agency, Anwar said AI development should be guided by justice, accountability and compassion. He added that governments, researchers and businesses share responsibility for ensuring that technology strengthens social cohesion and supports the common good.

The Malaysian prime minister also called for stronger international cooperation to manage the opportunities and risks linked to rapid technological change. He said countries should work together to promote inclusive and sustainable development while safeguarding ethical standards.

Why does it matter?

AI governance debates are increasingly moving beyond technical safety and economic competitiveness towards questions of values, accountability and public interest. Anwar’s remarks are not a new regulatory measure, but they reflect how governments in Asia are framing AI as a societal and diplomatic issue, with ethics, inclusion and international cooperation becoming recurring policy themes.

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EDPS debate to examine EU Omnibus data protection proposals

The European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS), Germany’s Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information, and the Bavarian Data Protection Commissioner will host a high-level debate on the European Commission’s Omnibus proposals. The event, titled ‘From Omnibus to Opportunity: Driving Data Protection and Innovation’, will take place in Brussels on 8 June.

The debate will examine the Omnibus proposals and their potential implications for the GDPR and the wider EU digital regulatory framework. The event is hosted by the Representation of the Free State of Bavaria to the European Union.

According to the EDPS, the proposals introduce targeted adjustments affecting elements of the EU digital acquis, including aspects of the GDPR and the AI Act. Their stated objective is to simplify compliance requirements and reduce administrative burdens while maintaining a high level of protection for fundamental rights.

Discussions will focus on legal certainty, regulatory coherence, preserving the GDPR’s level of protection, and identifying ways to strengthen fundamental rights, innovation and competitiveness across the EU.

Participants are expected to include representatives from the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union, the European Commission, data protection authorities, academia, civil society and the private sector.

Why does it matter?

The Omnibus proposals have become a focal point in wider debates about how the European Union can strengthen competitiveness and innovation while preserving high standards of data protection and fundamental rights.

The discussion highlights growing efforts to balance regulatory simplification with legal certainty and effective safeguards, particularly as the EU seeks to implement complex frameworks such as the GDPR and AI Act while supporting digital innovation and economic growth.

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