Conference - Technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV): cooperating for a safer digital world

98% of deepfake videos posted on the internet depict non-consensual pornographic images, 99% of which target or feature women (2023: State of Deepfakes, Security Hero). While the rise of digital technology and the democratisation of artificial intelligence (AI) have fuelled hopes for a more connected world and greater autonomy for the most marginalised populations, these technologies have also amplified and facilitated online violence against women, girls and gender minorities. Mass harassment, disclosure of personal data (doxing), non-consensual distribution of intimate images (revenge porn), death or rape threats, online stalking, disinformation, identity theft and online grooming now constitute a continuum of digital violence against women with very real consequences.

The feeling of anonymity offered by certain digital spaces, the proliferation of masculinist forums and the manosphere, the lack of judicial response to cyber violences, the inadequacy of binding legal frameworks and the still limited responsibility of platforms, as well as the backlash of women's and girls' rights by anti-rights governments, have contributed to making the internet and social media particularly hostile environments for women, girls and gender minorities. This violence has lasting and dissuasive psychological effects: according to a Plan International study conducted in 22 countries, 58% of young women aged 15 to 25 report having experienced abuse or harassment online, and nearly 19% have left or restricted their presence on social media as a result of an attack. In Latin America and the Caribbean, 80% of women in public office limit their online activities for fear of abuse (UN Women). In a context of drastic budget cuts worldwide, which are forcing many feminist and human rights organisations to reduce or halt their activities, national and international cooperation appears more essential than ever to support civil society and respond to digital threats that are transnational in nature.

Since 2022, the United Nations has adopted the term ‘technology-facilitated gender-based violence’ (TFGBV), following a global consultation with experts, in order to better describe and raise awareness of these contemporary forms of violence. The emerging definition of the phenomenon is qualified by UN Women as: “any act that is committed, assisted, aggravated, or amplified by the use of information communication technologies or other digital tools that results in or is likely to result in physical, sexual, psychological, social, political, or economic harm, or other infringements of rights and freedoms.” France's International Strategy for Feminist Diplomacy (2025-2030) identifies TFGBV as one of the major global issues requiring a stronger political, diplomatic and operational response. The French legislative framework for combating online hate speech and content has also been strengthened in recent years: the recent SREN Act of 2024, for example, which aims to adapt French law to implement the European ‘Digital Services Act’ (DSA), the implementation of which is coordinated by Arcom, thus enables sanctions and obligations to be imposed on online platforms to combat the dissemination of illegal content.

Nonetheless, digital technology can also be a powerful tool in the fight against TFGBV. Technologies for detecting and removing abusive content (Disrupt for example), reporting tools and recommendations of good practices, secure platforms to support and protect survivors, digital awareness-raising campaigns, the collection of data on various forms of online violence, strengthening the digital capabilities of feminist organisations, and online advocacy for more protective legal frameworks: responsible and feminist uses of digital technology offer concrete solutions to prevent violence, protect victims and transform power relations in digital spaces.