#7 Théo Jaeckel: Downstream Due Diligence - Insights from a Multinational Telecoms Company

Listen to Théo Jaeckel, Ericsson’s Business and Human Rights Director.

Freedom of speech, right to privacy, state interference and misuse of surveillance equipment are just some of the major human rights impacts a telecom company such as Ericsson has to address. Frankly Speaking has invited Théo Jaekel, Ericsson’s Business and Human Rights Director, to share lessons learnt and his expectations for a new EU law on due diligence that is currently in the making. He claims that every company will become a tech company in the future facing some of these challenges.

Key topics:

How to do responsible business globally?
What can telco companies do in terms of contractual mitigations and technical mitigations to avoid the misuse of data and surveillance equipment
The need for the EU mandatory due diligence law to raise the bar and set a level playing field.
No “business as usual” approach in high risk contexts, you have to have enhanced due diligence programs in place
What are the lessons for them to be learnt from the current major tech companies united in the Global Network Initiative on the misuse of technology human rights issues?
The interconnectedness between human rights and environmental impacts

Listen in!

“The majority of companies don't have human rights due diligence processes in place. So there is clearly a need to raise the bar and make sure that there is a level playing field and not just a few companies who choose to act responsibly.”

Théo Jaeckel in Frankly Speaking