A/HRC/RES/58/23 Recalling that the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights set out a principled approach for all companies to prevent, mitigate and address human rights harms to people from business activities, and that, for technology companies, this includes that they should anticipate and address harms related to the use of their products and services, commonly referred to as the “end-use”, Underscoring that the legal framework within which human rights defenders work peacefully to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms is that of national legislation consistent with the Charter and international human rights law, Reaffirming the importance of the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders and its full and effective implementation, and that promoting respect, support and protection for the activities of human rights defenders, including women human rights defenders, is essential to the overall enjoyment of human rights, both online and offline, Stressing that, in the exercise of the rights and freedoms referred to in the Declaration, human rights defenders, acting individually and in association with others, shall be subject only to such limitations as are in accordance with applicable international obligations and are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society, Noting civil society initiatives to mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, in particular Declaration +25, Recognizing the important and legitimate role played by human rights defenders, including women human rights defenders, in the promotion and protection of human rights, both online and offline, and in advocating for equal access to new technologies and bridging digital divides, including gender and geographic digital divides, through technological solutions, Recognizing also that new and emerging digital technologies can hold great potential for strengthening democratic institutions and the resilience of civil society, empowering civic engagement and enabling the work of human rights defenders, public participation and the open and free exchange of ideas, and for the exercise of all human rights, Recognizing further that digital technologies could be used as a tool for spreading hate speech, harmful narratives and propaganda, including through misinformation and disinformation, which can constitute an incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence and have a negative impact on the realization of human rights, Emphasizing the particular risks with regard to the safety of human rights defenders in the digital age, including their exposure to unlawful or arbitrary surveillance, unlawful or arbitrary interference with privacy, targeted interception of communications, hacking, including government-sponsored hacking, and all forms of online violence and harassment, intimidation, smear campaigns, threats and doxxing, which disproportionately target women human rights defenders, and measures that prevent or disrupt access to information and communication channels, including Internet shutdowns, Recognizing that online attacks often pave the way for physical human rights violations and abuses, including killings, beatings, enforced disappearances and arbitrary detention, which have a negative effect on the work of human rights defenders, Emphasizing the importance of digital connectivity, including in remote and rural areas, in ensuring the continuation of critical services, particularly during protests, elections, situations of crisis, armed conflict or foreign occupation, and underlining the importance of access to a free, affordable, open, interoperable, reliable, stable, safe and secure Internet, Recognizing that universal connectivity means connectivity for all and everywhere, and that meaningful connectivity allows users to have a safe, accessible and productive online experience at an affordable cost, and recognizing also that universal and meaningful connectivity is essential for the enjoyment of human rights, including for human rights defenders to conduct their work effectively and safely, both online and offline, 2