Human rights
Human rights at Vodafone
Vodafone's commitment to respecting human rights is central to how we do business. We want to make sure that we have a positive impact on people and society, which includes respecting human rights in all our operations. Our approach is educated by the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
Vodafone's purpose is to connect everyone. We believe that connectivity is a force for good; it is an essential part of our lives. If we use technology for the things that really matter, it can empower people and support the realisation of human rights, including through access to digital services such as finance, education and healthcare.
As well as the positive opportunities we create, we are conscious of the human rights risks associated with our operations. We seek to ensure that we are never complicit – directly or indirectly – in human rights abuses.
Our human rights policy mandates how our people must ensure we respect human rights, including steps to take through our other aligned policies, such as those covering artificial intelligence, ethical purchasing, responsible minerals, health and safety, human resources, privacy, business resilience and law enforcement assistance.
Our Human Rights Policy Statement sets out Vodafone’s commitment to respecting human rights, summarises our salient issues, and describes our overarching approach to identifying, preventing, mitigating, and accounting for any adverse human rights impacts caused by our operations.
We operate a whistle-blowing mechanism called "Speak Up" for all employees, suppliers and business partners to report any unethical behaviour for investigation. It’s the duty of our suppliers, contractors, business partners and employees to report any breach of our Code of Conduct, including dishonesty, corruption, fraud, labour and human rights concerns, environmental damage or any other unethical behaviour.
Speak Up can also be used by anyone who has reason to believe that Vodafone may have caused, contributed to or be linked to a breach of human rights – you do not have to be a customer, employee or supplier of Vodafone.
Our human rights impacts
As a global telecommunications provider we connect people. We focus on the most salient human rights issues which could arise from our operations.
Mobile internet enables unique ways to create, share and access information. It can allow users to access information when they need it most, to upload and share content almost instantaneously, to discuss and document events and experiences in real time, and to effectively advocate and organise.
Globally our most significant human rights risks relate to our customers’ right to privacy, freedom of expression and assembly, the rights of minority and/or vulnerable groups and decent working conditions across our supply chain.
Network Shutdowns
Network shutdowns (‘shutdowns’) refer to the intentional disruption of electronic communications mandated by a government. These can be geographically targeted and therefore affect specific communities, or implemented nationally and can apply to all communications and/or specific platforms. Under its operating licences, Vodafone must comply with shutdown orders when compelled to do so in accordance with local law. Shutdowns limit citizens’ freedom of expression and may block journalism, potentially shielding governments from scrutiny and often isolating vulnerable communities at times of their greatest need. They prevent citizens accessing emergency services and services that are essential to everyday life, such as mobile money and online education, and in times of crisis they can restrict access to critical assistance such as humanitarian relief.
Law enforcement assistance
As a licensed network operator, Vodafone is obliged to comply with lawful orders from relevant enforcement agencies, such as police, intelligence agencies and courts, in the countries where we operate. Law enforcement can help ensure the rights of the many are not undermined by the unlawful acts of the few, protecting life and property and maintaining trust in the community. Law enforcement agencies use communications data and lawful intercept to investigate serious crimes and to tackle national security threats. We also recognise the risk that certain individuals’ human rights may be breached by authorities exercising their power to require the disclosure of communications data – even where such requirements are domestically lawful. The impacts may include attempts to intimidate or suppress political opponents, minorities, or human rights activists. At the same time, refusal to comply may put our employees at risk of physical harm and legal censure. Our processes seek to minimise the risk of this happening and to ensure that any basis for challenge is exercised.
Child rights
We recognise that children can be a particularly vulnerable group in today’s digital world. We are committed to upholding the rights of the child at all stages of our business operations and seek to support children and their parents to become responsible digital citizens. We will continue to provide the knowledge, tools, controls and resources to help our customers keep pace with the rapid advances in technology, devices, apps and the ways these technologies are used.
Supply chain
At Vodafone, we rely on complex international supply chains. We collaborate with our suppliers, partners and peers to promote responsible and ethical behaviour and high standards across our supply chain. Our goal is to keep everyone in our operations safe from harm, which is integral to our commitment to operate ethically, lawfully, and with integrity.
Other salient issues
We recognise there are number of topics such as privacy and sustainability, where Vodafone’s operations may directly or indirectly impact human rights. The human rights team regularly engage with subject matter experts on these topics across the business, to ensure the human rights impacts in are appropriately managed, mitigated and remediated.
Just Transition
We are committed to a just transition to net zero, where we respect human rights while promoting sustainable development across our supply chain. You can read more about it here.
Privacy
We believe that everyone has a right to privacy, wherever they live in the world and our commitment to our customers’ privacy goes beyond legal compliance. As a result, our privacy programme applies globally, irrespective of whether there are local data protection or privacy laws. You can read more about our approach to privacy in our privacy centre here.
Discover more about Vodafone's approach to human rights
Managing human rights
Connectivity is an essential part of our lives. Through our services, Vodafone helps customers make the most of connectivity – from keeping in touch with family and friends, creating, learning and playing, through to growing businesses and transforming public services.
Memberships and collaborations
We recognise the importance of stakeholder engagement for our human rights programme. We value constructive dialogue with civil society, including human rights defenders, to advance respect for human rights.