The Swedish National Pension Funds Council on Ethics and the Big Tech & Human Rights investor collaboration have updated the framework for engaging with major ‘big tech’ companies on human rights issues.

The council and investor group revised the framework to put greater emphasis on embedding human rights into business models and strategic decision making.

Its changes, which were based on the experience and learnings from the collaboration, also focused on strengthening governance and culture, and ensuring robust human rights due diligence.

The council and investor group are aiming to support the development of human rights systems that deliver tangible, rights-based outcomes, not solely policies.

The framework looks to highlight what ‘good’ looks like for each relevant criteria to help those engaging with big tech firms.

“Big tech companies shape how people communicate, access information, and participate in society, and can contribute positively to connectivity and economic opportunity,” the council stated.

“Yet many of the most material human rights risks in the sector are driven by core incentives in the business model, including engagement-based revenue models and rapid product deployment.”

It noted that a “substantial” body of research and reporting had connected major tech companies and platforms to various harms, which are often worsened by addictive design features and biased algorithms.

“Children and other vulnerable groups face elevated risks of mental health impacts and physical harm, while the broader population and social cohesion can also be adversely affected by digital technologies that are not designed with respect for human rights in mind,” the council added.

The Big Tech & Human Rights investor collaboration was launched in March 2023 and consists of over 30 investors with more than €7trn in combined assets under management.

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