Technology companies must take responsibility and mitigate harm to society, UN Secretary General António Guterres said on Monday, as he launched a set of global principles to combat online hate.

The principles form a framework for coordinated international action to make information spaces safer and more humane, “one of the most urgent tasks of our time,” the UN said in a statement.

According to the UN, misinformation, disinformation, hate speech and other risks to the information ecosystem were fuelling conflict, threatening democracy and human rights and undermining public health and climate action.

It stated, “Their proliferation is now being supercharged by the rapid rise of readily available Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies, increasing the threat to groups often targeted in information spaces, including children.”

Mr Guterres said that the principles would empower people to demand their rights.

“At a time when billions of people are exposed to false narratives, distortions and lies, these principles lay out a clear path forward, firmly rooted in human rights, including the rights to freedom of expression and opinion,” he stressed.

The principles, however, called on governments, tech companies, advertisers, and industry to take responsibility for spreading and monetising content that causes harm.

“Government, tech companies, AI developers and advertisers should take special measures to protect and empower children,” the UN said.

Those involved in AI development are urged to ensure that applications are designed, deployed, and used safely, securely, responsibly, and ethically and that human rights are upheld.

The principles also call for a free and independent media and strong protections for journalists, researchers, and civil society.

(dpa/NAN)