Signaling legal protection in a digitalizing world: a new era for the distinctive emblems?

ICRC Humanitarian Law and Policy Blog · Sep 16, 2021 · 12m

The use of digital technology in armed conflict is rising sharply. Such developments come with risks, but they may also provide opportunities. For example, could new technologies help digitally signal that certain infrastructure and assets enjoy protection under international humanitarian law? For 150 years, the red cross and red crescent, and more recently the red crystal, have performed this function in the physical world. Would it be feasible, and advisable from a cyber-security point of view, to mark the digital assets of protected entities in times of armed conflict? In this post, Tilman…