Intervention by the Nordic-Baltic States. 9 September 2025.
Mr. President.
I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic States.
We thank the Office of the High Commissioner for its report.
The Nordic-Baltic States believe that technology must have a human-centric approach and fully respect international human rights law. This applies equally to the collection and analysis of personal data.
Data collection must not discriminate against any individual or group on any ground. Intractable risks of data collection and processing are not merely technical but political: the potential for state surveillance, systemic exclusion of persons belonging to marginalized groups, and violations of human rights.
Safeguarding the right to privacy and other human rights in a digital environment, requires that users retain meaningful control over their own data. The possibility to opt-out must be guaranteed. Safeguards must be developed to uphold the individual’s rights vis-à-vis data holders.
Effective remedies are essential to ensure accountability. Openness, transparency, and human oversight mechanisms need to be built into the systems.
Director,
Can you share some best practices of human rights compliant risk monitoring and management systems, which ensure reliable, accurate and representative data?
Thank you.
