The meeting, the first of its kind, in Paris overnight saw all of the major technology companies, 17 countries and the European Commission sign up to the call initiated by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and French President Emmanuel Macron, in the wake of the Christchurch attack that killed 51 people.
The action plan asks tech companies to review the operation of their algorithms that are driving users towards or amplifying terrorist content online and find ways to intervene earlier.
Read the Christchurch Call agreement here:
In order to try and prevent an attack like the one at Christchurch ever happening again, tech companies have agreed to share the effects of algorithim secrets with each other.
Ms Ardern has called on them to report progress regularly to governments. At a news conference, Ms Ardern described the agreement as “day one” in the change the world needed.
“Never before have countries and tech companies come together in the wake of an horrific attack to commit to an action plan that will deliver collaboratively work in new technology built to make our communities ultimately safer.”
New Zealand and global investors worth more than $NZ5 trillion are uniting to put pressure on companies who have signed up to the Christchurch Call.
Launched alongside the summit in Paris overnight, the New Zealand Super Fund has coordinated the investor group, worth more than 15 times the GDP of the New Zealand economy.
The group wants to get Facebook, Twitter and Google – who all have social media platforms – to strengthen controls that will prevent the live streaming and distribution of objectionable content.
They plan to raise concerns with the companies’ board and management on these issues. The investor group is made up of 55 funds – 27 from New Zealand and 28 from across the globe.
New Zealand banks, ACC, and global trusts and pension funds make up the group. Super Fund chief executive Matt Whineray said the group would hold the companies to account.
“Part of our engagement with social media companies will involve monitoring and ensuring accountability for the Christchurch Call commitments made. As shareholders and investors we will use our collective leverage to raise concerns with the companies’ board and management on these issues.”