Facebook on March 16 announced the launch of a corporate human rights policy that governs its business operations, apps and products, policies, and programming. The social media giant finally joins other tech companies like Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Amazon who already have such a policy in place. The new policy comes after Facebook has been repeatedly criticized for its handling of human rights violations in countries like Myanmar, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Brazil, Mexico and India. The new policy, based on the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and other internationally recognized human rights covenants, sets out the human rights standards that apply to the platform's overall approach to business. As part of this policy, the Board of Directors will be informed about any critical human rights issues such as risks to freedom of speech and expression. The policy also mandates the release of a public report annually that highlights how the company is addressing human rights concerns. Facebook will implement the new policy based on the approach provided by the UNGPs, which includes applying human rights policies, conducting human rights due diligence and disclosure, providing access to remedy, maintaining oversight, governance, and accountability, and protecting human rights defenders. In case there is a conflict between the domestic laws of a country and internationally recognised human rights, Facebook will seek to promote and honour the latter, the guidelines stated. Alongside the policy, Facebook also launched a new fund to support human rights defenders. This fund will give assistance to those who are…
