Taking a Business and Human Rights Approach to Addressing Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence

Abstract Technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) has serious consequences for the human rights of cis-gendered and trans women and girls and other gender diverse people and sexual minorities. There is a growing recognition of the need to address tech company activity that implicates TFGBV. We argue that taking a business and human rights approach that addresses the role of tech companies in this context could contribute to the development of meaningful responses to such harm. Drawing on a critical assessment of the UNGPs and the UN B-Tech Project, we outline key elements of a ‘fortified’ BHR approach to addressing TFGBV. Finally, we evaluate a sample of EU and domestic legislative initiatives against these criteria. While the analysis shows that these initiatives fall short, they also offer starting points for law and policy reform at the international and domestic level that can better address the role tech companies play in TFGBV.