Source · Select Committees · Foreign Affairs Committee
Third report - Encoding values: Putting tech at the heart of UK foreign policy
Foreign Affairs Committee
HC 170
Published 8 July 2022
Recommendations
1
Accepted
Para 11
The growing influence of private companies in global technology governance, and on the norms and...
Recommendation
The growing influence of private companies in global technology governance, and on the norms and rules that shape our societies, has profound implications for the future role and identity of the nation-state. The Government has yet to demonstrate that it …
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Government Response Summary
The Government accepts the need to engage with non-government entities and recognises the important role that tech companies play in our society. The FCDO will engage with private companies and relevant multinational bodies and Minister Norman is the FCDO Minister responsible for Technology.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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4
Accepted
We recommend that the FCDO prioritises engaging with product teams and technologists, rather than only...
Recommendation
We recommend that the FCDO prioritises engaging with product teams and technologists, rather than only policy teams, to gain a clearer understanding of the activities of companies that are developing and implementing new technologies, as well as helping to influence …
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Government Response Summary
The FCDO will engage further with the technology sector, upskill staff, and leverage expertise from other departments like DCMS. It will expand its Tech Envoy network in priority locations to engage with companies and establish a secondment programme with the tech sector.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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5
Accepted
Para 33
The UK’s position on technology standards vis-à-vis the US and EU remains unclear and the...
Recommendation
The UK’s position on technology standards vis-à-vis the US and EU remains unclear and the Government’s stance on many elements of the Transatlantic Trade and Technology Partnership remain ambiguous. The UK therefore risks becoming Encoding values: Putting tech at the …
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Government Response Summary
The UK Government has articulated its position on data protection, privacy, and data sharing through the National Data Strategy and the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill. The International Technology Strategy will be a key document which builds on existing strategies and policy by setting out the UK’s approach for technology leadership on the global stage.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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6
Acknowledged
Para 34
We cannot meaningfully influence the global order without the cooperation and support of our partners.
Recommendation
We cannot meaningfully influence the global order without the cooperation and support of our partners. While there is an opportunity for the UK to exercise thought leadership, we cannot go it alone and should not seek to carve out a …
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Government Response Summary
The UK will leverage its position and strengths in technology to ensure that the global technology ecosystem aligns with our values and shape global decisions. The International Technology Strategy makes having a values-based approach to technology governance and regulation a strategic priority.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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7
Accepted
There is a strong case for the Government to establish deeper partnerships with “digital deciders”...
Recommendation
There is a strong case for the Government to establish deeper partnerships with “digital deciders” such as India, Singapore and Brazil. There is scope for the FCDO to have more dialogue with these countries and to form partnerships around the …
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Government Response Summary
The government states that partnerships and collaborations are central to their approach, and they will continue to seek new partnerships that foster cooperation and greater alignment with our values. They highlight existing cyber dialogues and capacity building efforts with various countries, including India, Singapore, and Brazil.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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9
Acknowledged
The FCDO’s forthcoming International Technology Strategy should set out clear objectives and targeted actions for...
Recommendation
The FCDO’s forthcoming International Technology Strategy should set out clear objectives and targeted actions for achieving them, to be used as a blueprint or framework that diplomats can easily use to guide their decisions and activities at Post level and …
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Government Response Summary
The International Technology Strategy provides a framework and sets out the UK's top international priority actions to deliver the UK's technology ambitions and will guide the development of more detailed actions across the diplomatic network via an internal implementation plan.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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10
Accepted in Part
We recommend that the FCDO designs and publishes in its forthcoming International Technology Strategy metrics...
Recommendation
We recommend that the FCDO designs and publishes in its forthcoming International Technology Strategy metrics on how it is supporting the Integrated Review’s goal of establishing the UK as a science & tech superpower. Performance against these metrics should be …
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Government Response Summary
The FCDO will publish data and information on international technology partnerships in its annual report and accounts but refers to an internal Government implementation plan for agreed metrics and milestones.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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Conclusions (3)
2
Conclusion
Para 12
The UK’s global technology leadership ambitions should be Government-led but will need to pull in significant support from the private sector as well as academia. There is an opportunity for the FCDO to exemplify the values articulated in the Integrated Review by leading on collaboration with the private sector and …
3
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 13
The UK should work with allies to ensure global practice in frameworks designed to protect data, and to prevent our adversaries exporting data from around the world to build the massive data sets needed to develop algorithms to automate surveillance systems, military systems and disinformation systems. We need to think …
Government Response Summary
The government agrees that global challenges around data collection, aggregation and access are a national security liability, and that the upcoming International Technology Strategy will cover this area. However, they do not advocate export controls on data, instead preferring free flows of data where there is trust and appropriate protection.
8
Conclusion
Accepted
The integration of technology within UK foreign policy should reflect the intrinsic links between the UK’s domestic capabilities and its global influence. The Government’s recent measures to encourage growth and support start-ups within the UK technology sector are welcome, but they have been undermined by the Government’s previous reticence to …
Government Response Summary
The government states it is clear on intent to grow the UK’s Science and Technology ecosystem and describes the National Security and Investment Act (NSI) which allows the government to identify and intervene in acquisitions.