Recommendations for the U.S. National Action Plan on Responsible Business Conduct in the Technology Sector

Last year, the Biden-Harris Administration initiated a process to revitalize the United States’ National Action Plan on Responsible Business Conduct (NAP), a strategic framework the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights encourages states to develop and periodically update in order to protect against adverse human rights impacts caused by businesses. In support of this process, the Berkman Klein Center and the Global Network Initiative, together with the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy and the Edmond & Lily Safra Center for Ethics, hosted a Consultation on Ethical and Rights-Respecting Technology for the National Action Plan on Responsible Business Conduct. The consultation, which took place virtually and in-person at Harvard Law School on June 23, 2022, brought dozens of experts from industry, academia, and civil society together with representatives of the US government to discuss opportunities to support and incentivize the Internet and technology sector’s commitments to human rights. 

The day-long discussion was divided into two “challenge sessions,” each of which included opening remarks from leaders in the field followed by a roundtable discussion and questions. The first session focused on enhancing privacy, transparency, and accountability. The second session focused on achieving equity and meaningful corporate governance in the face of rising inequality. A complete summary of the consultation, as well as a detailed set of recommendations inspired by the roundtable and subsequent participant interviews, is available here.  

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