The right to privacy in the digital age
A/RES/79/175
societies, economic sectors and the world of work and can also have various farreaching implications, including with regard to the right to privacy,
Noting further that the observance of the principles of transparency,
explainability and, where applicable, users’ meaningful consent in the processing of
personal data using artificial intelligence not only helps to build trust and reliability
in artificial intelligence technologies, but also contributes to the protection of human
rights, including by enabling individuals affected by artificial intelligence
technologies to be informed in a timely, comprehensive, simple and clear manner
about basic issues concerning the use of their personal information in artificial
intelligence processes or projects and the consequences thereof, and about the specific
reasons behind such use,
Noting with concern that artificial intelligence and other digital divides between
and within countries continue to widen, and developing countries face unique
challenges in keeping pace with the rapid acceleration of artificial intelligence
development, in particular in terms of the design, development, deployment and use
of artificial intelligence,
Noting with concern also that the use of artificial intelligence or machinelearning technologies, including for tools such as remote biometric identification,
facial recognition technology or automated content moderation, without proper
technical, regulatory, legal and ethical safeguards, may lead to decisions that have the
potential to affect the enjoyment of human rights, including economic, social and
cultural rights, and affect non-discrimination, and recognizing the need to apply
international human rights law and data protection frameworks in the design,
evaluation and regulation of these practices,
Recognizing that, while the use of artificial intelligence can have significant
positive economic and social impacts, it requires and allows for the processing of
large amounts of data, often relating to personal data, including biometric data and
data on an individual’s behaviour, social relationships, race or ethnicity, religion or
belief, which can pose serious risks to the enjoyment of the right to privacy, especially
when done without proper safeguards, in particular when employed for identification,
tracking, profiling, facial recognition, classification, behaviour prediction or scoring
of individuals,
Noting that the use of artificial intelligence may, without proper technical,
regulatory, legal and ethical safeguards, pose the risk of reinforcing discrimination,
including structural inequalities, and recognizing that racially and otherwise
discriminatory outcomes should be prevented in the design, development,
implementation and use of emerging digital technologies,
Recognizing that the improper or malicious design, development, deployment
and use of artificial intelligence systems, such as without adequate safeguards or in a
manner inconsistent with international law, pose risks that could hinder progress
towards the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 26 and its
Sustainable Development Goals and undermine sustainable development in its three
dimensions – economic, social and environmental; widen digital divides between and
within countries; reinforce structural inequalities and biases; lead to discrimination;
undermine information integrity and access to information; and undercut the
protection, promotion and enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms,
including the right not to be subject to unlawful or arbitrary interference with one’s
privacy,
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26
24-24216
Resolution 70/1.
5/12