DIGITAL LEGITIMACY: TOWARDS A LEGITIMATE USE OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES BY INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATIONS

Abstract

The conduct of international organizations during humanitarian crises has undergone a significant transformation in recent years. Traditional humanitarianism is generally understood to provide short-term relief in urgent situations without imposing a change on the social-political structures of affected populations. However, the prolonged nature of armed conflicts and the continuous influx of refugees have altered crisis-response mechanisms. Through the usage of digital technologies, humanitarian organizations are shaping new norms of humanitarianism and global governance. This dissertation questions the legitimacy of the use of new technologies in times of emergency – a practice increasingly used by big tech companies and surveillance-oriented governments to monitor and influence behavior of individuals by collecting personal data. The dissertation uses the legitimacy framework to undertake a critical interdisciplinary examination of digital humanitarianism, arguing that the deployment of technologies in humanitarianism, as it is practiced currently, is illegitimate. It asserts that technological advancements are unlikely to enhance the legitimacy of humanitarian organizations (legitimacy through technology); rather, technology deepens the legitimacy crisis of international organizations, fueling criticism of humanitarianism and creating unexpected challenges (legitimacy for technology), which is the primary focus of the current research. This dissertation argues that legitimizing the use of digital technology in humanitarian contexts involves decolonizing digital technologies; this suggests using them as tools of resistance rather than tools of surveillance and control. It further advocates, in light of digital developments, returning to the basic principles of humanitarian work, such as humanity, non-discrimination, and adherence to the duty of ‘do no harm’. It also calls for the implementation of humanitarian principles where the default is non-digital, such as the right to be disconnected and the principle of non-interoperability.

Date of Award	2027
Original language	American English
Awarding Institution	HBKU College of Law