Ethical Use of Technology evaluates how a company ensures that the digital tools, data practices and emerging technologies it deploys - or sells - are designed, developed and applied in ways that respect human rights, minimise harm and promote societal benefit. It covers:

• principles & governance – documented values (e.g., fairness, transparency, accountability, privacy, safety, inclusivity) and oversight structures (board committees, ethics councils, review boards) that guide technology decisions;
• responsible AI & algorithmic systems – bias assessments, explainability, human-in-the-loop controls and continuous monitoring to prevent discriminatory or unintended outcomes;
• data stewardship – privacy-by-design, secure handling of personal and sensitive data, and clear consent mechanisms that uphold individual autonomy;
• user well-being & safety – features and policies that protect users from manipulation, addiction, harassment or physical harm, plus mechanisms for redress and remedy;
• environmental & social impact – evaluation of lifecycle resource use (energy, e-waste) and societal implications (job displacement, digital divides) with mitigation plans;
• transparency & stakeholder engagement – public disclosure of ethics frameworks, impact assessments and incident reports, alongside consultation with affected groups, regulators and civil-society organisations.