New Report Focuses on Digital Threats Faced by Civilians During Armed Conflicts

The continued rise in internet coverage and the rapid development of digital technologies have dramatically transformed people's life and the nature of armed conflicts, including their impact on civilians. 

"In armed conflicts, digital technologies can save lives," said Balthasar Staehelin, Personal Envoy of the ICRC President to China and Head of ICRC Regional Delegation for East Asia, during the launch event. "But what we also saw regrettably that in the battlefield there’s an increased digitalization of armed conflicts which caused massive, fast-evolving consequences on the people we try to protect and assist. " 

Mabel Lu Miao, Co-Founder and Secretary General of CCG, noted in her opening remark that the Global Data Security Initiative and the Global Cross-Border Data Flow Cooperation Initiative put forward by China align conceptually with the ICRC report, all focusing on balancing security and development, advocating for openness and multilateral cooperation. Both the initiatives and the report emphasize the importance of multilateral cooperation, jointly promoting the development and improvement of global digital security rules.

Liu Hong, CCG's Deputy Director and Senior Researcher, emphasized in his keynote speech that "digital technologies should be the life-saving means in armed conflicts, rather than perceived as the digital threats to civilians. "

The Global Advisory Board, composed of 18 leaders and experts from the legal, military, policy, technological, and security fields, was convened between 2021 and 2023 to advise the ICRC on digital threats and identify recommendations to protect civilians against them. 

Lee Xiaodong, one of the board members and founder of Fuxi Institution, emphasized that digital threats, though relevant to everyone, are often overlooked. 

"Maintaining peace in the digital or cyberspace is not just a political issue between major powers' negotiations. Everyone, every stakeholder, must recognize the threats in the digital space and play a role in mitigating them. The release of the Chinese version of this report is a key step toward raising awareness of digital threats," Lee said.

The report pointed out that the malicious use of digital technologies and the spread of harmful information are increasingly destabilizing societies, making civilians more vulnerable. 

“Cyberspace is not a 'lawless' area," said Marwa Shabbar, Head of the Legal Department of the ICRC Regional Delegation for East Asia, "The vulnerability of civilians in armed conflicts amplifies the adverse effects of digital threats on them."

Over 40 experts and representatives from government agencies, academia, media, tech companies, the Red Cross Society of China, and other humanitarian organizations and civil rescue agencies, as well as some internet influencers participated in the event.