The UN and member states are increasingly focused on the role of emerging technology such as artificial intelligence (AI), biometric systems, and information and communications technology (ICT) to facilitate terrorism. However, they are using assumptions about such threats to justify calls for broad and unrestricted counter-terrorism responses, including the use of the very same technologies that are ripe for abuse by those same authorities. This is certainly a cause for alarm. They must pause, listen and take this opportunity to scrutinise the use and impact of such technologies, with wide and meaningful consultation of civil society, argues ECNL's Marlena Wisniak.
Proportionate approaches and meaningful engagement is possible. Read in Just Security how this could be achieved.