‘Remain vigilant’ against malicious technologies that could imperil future generations

During a UN Security Council meeting, the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) head Izumi Nakamitsu underscored the potential harm of digital technologies on human life and how ‘we must remain vigilant’ in the face of malicious technologies that ‘could imperil the security of future generations.’ ‘Digital technologies are increasingly straining existing legal, humanitarian and ethical norms, non-proliferation, international stability, and peace and security,’ she warned the audience.  Some of these threats include online violent extremism and trafficking which have different impacts on women, men, and children, and hence ‘equal, full, and effective participation of both women and men is critical. She further referenced the disarmament agenda and underlined the readiness of the UN to support states among other actors in promoting a peaceful information and communication technology (ICT) environment. ‘Perspectives from the private sector, civil society, and academia contribute a unique and important part of the collective solution to cybersecurity that the international community is seeking,’ she noted.