Cyber-surveillance (surveillance) technologies are fundamentally reshaping our societies. While certain technologies within the surveillance sector can serve legitimate law-enforcement and national security purposes with appropriate government oversight and accountability, many are being used to systematically violate a range of human rights. This includes reinforcing discrimination, promoting censorship of the media, violating individuals’ right to privacy, facilitating detention and forced labour, and enabling attacks against human rights defenders.

As shareholders in companies with activities or investments in the surveillance technology ecosystem, investors have a critical role to play in promoting human rights and helping to uphold the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). Investors also have a fiduciary duty to their clients, which has evolved to include environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria as key indicators of a company’s long-term value and performance. Human rights risks are material risks, accompanied by legal, reputational, and financial consequences for companies and their investors.

Grounded in the perspectives of digital rights advocates, HRDD modelling experts, and investors, this Guide seeks to assist investors of all sizes, types, and geographies to navigate the surveillance technology ecosystem and strengthen their human rights due diligence. The Guide includes:

• An examination of how surveillance technologies create human rights risks for individuals and communities
• An explanation of material risks for investors
• Questions to identify severity of risk
• A framework for investment decision making