"Even in the digital space, war has limits"

We find ourselves in a cellar. The ground trembles. In the distance, an explosion reverberates. Then a message arrives on a mobile phone: "The enemies have left the neighbourhood. You can either go back to your home where you'll be safe or join the convoy that's about to leave from the town hall." Signed, Civil Protection. This scenario introduces the Digital Dilemmas experience, an online platform of the ICRC launched and developed by Philippe Stoll, senior delegate for techplomacy at the ICRC. Techplomacy combines humanitarian work, diplomacy, technology and academic research. The platform aims to illustrate the real-world impact on civilians and humanitarian workers of the use of digital technology in armed conflicts. "We worked on different concrete examples, all inspired by real situations that I encountered in the field or that were reported to me by colleagues," explains Stoll.

In our increasingly digitalised societies, the use of digital technologies in armed conflicts by various actors is a reality. Stoll breaks down the impact into three key elements. First, the evolution of warfare tactics. "We are observing a significant shift towards digital methods in armed conflicts. This includes a rise in cyberattacks, enhanced surveillance techniques, and the use of social media platforms," Stoll explains. The second element is the impact on humanitarian work, and the third concerns how affected populations use these new technologies. Stoll provides an example: "When displaced persons arrive at a new location, one of their most urgent requests is often for internet access or a means to charge their mobile phones so they can stay in touch with loved ones."

Stoll emphatically states: "Even in the digital space, war has limits. It's our position that the Geneva Conventions, despite the fact that they were adopted 75 years ago, remain fully applicable to modern conflicts. They restrict cyber operations in armed conflicts just as much as they do conventional types of weapons and methods of warfare. This underscores the Conventions' enduring relevance. As custodians of the Geneva Conventions, we must continually analyse and apply their principles to emerging warfare contexts.

At the 34th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, which will take place from 28 to 31 October in Geneva, a resolution will be presented on the theme of protecting civilians against cyberattacks and misinformation campaigns. This critical issue is currently the subject of extensive international debate. The resolution aims to reaffirm that IHL applies in cyberspace, particularly in relation to the protection of civilian populations, and of medical and humanitarian missions. For us, this would serve as an operational tool for dialogue and discussion."

Furthermore, the ICRC is currently developing a digital emblem – much like the Red Cross, Red Crescent and Red Crystal emblems already used in the real world. These symbols are universally recognised as representing impartial and neutral humanitarian assistance, as well as protection for victims of armed conflicts, natural disasters and other emergencies. The purpose of this digital emblem is to clearly identify protected digital entities that should not be targeted in cyberspace. "If we can reach an agreement on this at the conference, it would send an important message that digital assets are as vital and deserving of protection as physical ones," emphasises Stoll. He adds that further work, especially in developing technological solutions, is still needed to fully realise this digital emblem concept.

Stoll views the use of digital technologies in armed conflicts as a double-edged sword, presenting both opportunities and risks, as solutions are sought to mitigate these risks. The first aspect is the positive impact of digital technologies, which facilitate faster and more efficient aid distribution. "They can facilitate access to certain territories or help us better understand certain situations. For example, we are working with Swiss federal institutes of technology to analyse satellite imagery more rapidly," explains Stoll.

Digital technologies bring complex challenges, raising numerous questions and risks, which become even more pronounced in conflict situations. Firstly, harmful or damaging information online, which includes disinformation and misinformation. "With the channels available today, it is very easy to spread false information. This increases people's vulnerability. Hate speech directly or indirectly contributes to endangering the life, safety and dignity of populations," explains Stoll. This harmful information can also erode trust in humanitarian workers and create additional tensions. "This can happen, for example, when a checkpoint commander reads false information about the ICRC and refuses to let a convoy pass, believing we are spies or in the pay of one party or another."

Another risk highlighted by Stoll is the use of artificial intelligence in weapons employed in conflicts. "Weapons known as autonomous could potentially kill people without human intervention. For the ICRC, this prospect is ethically and legally unacceptable."

Data protection stands out as a critical concern among the primary risks associated with digital technologies. "Our humanitarian work necessitates the collection of personal data. This information requires robust safeguards, both from technical and legal perspectives," explains Stoll. "If this data were to fall into the wrong hands, it could create additional problems for already vulnerable individuals," concludes Stoll.