... As Director of Human Rights at Facebook, I often hear assertions that social media is an existential threat to democracy; that tech companies inherently violate privacy through their business models; that tech platforms’ algorithms inevitably spread hate speech and incitement against racial and religious minorities, women, LGBTQ+ communities, and human rights defenders.

There is no question that we, and other social media and tech companies, have been slow to recognize and address their adverse human rights impacts... [S]ince the digital environment is increasingly the space where our rights are fulfilled—or violated—it’s vital that tech companies define and demonstrate what it takes to meaningfully respect rights, as mandated by the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs).

... . In recent years, we have published our Human Rights Impact Assessments, established an independent Oversight Board, voluntarily disclosed data to the Independent Investigative Mechanism on Myanmar, and worked extensively to protect elections and minimize violent conflict. Today’s [corporate human rights] policy launch is another, real step. We have to make these efforts meaningful while moderating content, protecting human rights defenders, pushing back against repressive governments, and supporting the quest for rights-respecting regulation that won’t silence the internet. To our observers and critics: Keep up the pressure. We need your insight. Share your scrutiny. Know that we’re using the UNGPs and other frameworks to send the message: rights matter.