Article Techniek en wetenschap
New Geneva Convention against digital warfare
More signals lead to a digital war. And we are in the midst of it. Hackers from different countires attack organizations and influence politics and the elections. Time for new treaties such as the Fourth Geneva Convention.
The Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 is the first to provisions on the protection of civilians in the Geneva Conventions. The conventions that are adopted before 1949 were only for combatants, not civilians. During a conference in the United States, Microsoft President Smith claimed that it is time that countries make arrangements to protect citizens against cyber warfare. In other words, make agreements on the protection of civilians so that they are not part of a digital warfare. A warfare that has already started and is not promised to bode well for the future. After all, we create a world where every house, every lamp, refrigerator and even baby monitor is connected to the web. What are the consequences in a world where countries and governments make each other miserable through digital means.
The Microsoft President has definitely a clear and relevant mark. Smith recommends the following considering the Geneva Convention.
Just as the Fourth Geneva Convention has long protected civilians in times of war, we now need a Digital Geneva Convention that will commit governments to protecting civilians from nation-state attacks in times of peace. […] The tech sector plays a unique role as the internet’s first responders, and we therefore should commit ourselves to collective action that will make the internet a safer place, affirming a role as a neutral Digital Switzerland that assists customers everywhere and retains the world’s trust.
A world where not only the confidence in institutions and governments are under pressure. Also the trust in technology got a big hit. Time to act and to make arrangements. But questions remains if it is also going to help. For now, it is important to raise awareness and make it negotiable. Yet, the digital war is already in full swing.
