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The Militarization of Technology: Preventing Diversion and Misuse Through Export Controls
Processes associated with the militarization of technology are leading to a blurring of distinctions in the way civilian technologies and military and security equipment are developed and produced. As a result, technologies and systems that would previously have been classed as ‘civilian’ may need to be reclassified as ‘dual-use items’. This SIPRI Research Policy Paper examines some of the diversion and misuse risks generated by these developments and assesses potential policy responses through an analysis of facial recognition technologies and their incorporation into military and security equipment. Export controls could be used to address or mitigate the risks that are being created but would need to be complemented by additional policy tools, including human rights due diligence.
Table of contents
I. Introduction
II. Civilian technologies, the production of military and security
III. The role of export controls and other relevant instruments in regulating the trade in FRTs
IV. Conclusions and recommendations
ABOUT THE AUTHOR(S)/EDITORS
Dr Mark Bromley is the Director of the SIPRI Dual-Use and Arms Trade Control Programme.
Giovanna Maletta is a Senior Researcher in the SIPRI Dual-Use and Arms Trade Control Programme.