ESG (+D)? Bridging the digital rights data gap

 

Open MIC | December 2023

  • For responsible tech investment to be feasible, investors need reliable information on how companies manage their impacts on digital and other human rights. Unfortunately, mainstream ESG ratings fail to adequately account for and measure the “S” and “G” risks prevalent in tech.

  • While there are initiatives attempting to standardize and measure digital rights risks, none offer investors comprehensive, decision-useful data to guide their responsible tech investment practices.

  • Foundations can bridge this digital rights data gap by supporting closer collaboration among investors and digital rights advocates and experts, campaigns seeking greater accountability from ESG raters, advocacy for greater regulation of ESG data, and the development of investor-focused digital rights standards.

 
Kristin ThomsonFinance Focused Strategies, Tech Accountability