New Zealand Investor Group Calls on Tech Companies to Strengthen Content Controls

NZ Super Fund (NZSF) is co-ordinating a collective plan to engage Facebook, Alphabet and Twitter with the sole objective of convincing the companies to strengthen their controls to prevent the live streaming and distribution of objectionable content, such as the shootings that took place in Christchurch, New Zealand,  on Friday 15 March 2019.

There has been strong support and interest from global investors since the announcement of the plan. In addition, the Prime Minister of New Zealand and President of France have announced the Christchurch call, which sets out voluntary commitments for governments, companies and wider society to work together to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online.

Currently, the team leading the work is focused on gathering domestic and international support for the initiative, bringing other major investors on board and planning the details of the engagement. As of 15 May 2019, the group of funds supporting this engagement represent over NZD5tn of assets under management. The group consists of 55 companies (28 from NZ and 27 international). A list of participants can be found here: https://nzsuperfund.nz/news-media/nz5-trillion-investor-group-supports-christchurch-call

NZSF is extending an invitation to join this initiative to other investors. If you wish to join or would like to discuss it further, please contact Katie Beith, Senior Investment Strategy - kbeith@nzsuperfund.co.nz + 64 9 366 5489