No truth to UN Future Pact claims in viral video – Australian Associated Press

AAP FACTCHECK – A new United Nations pact outlines plans for a digital identification system and punishing people with “dissident opinions,” according to a video that has gone viral on social media.

That's wrong. The future pact adopted at a UN meeting in September 2024 does not provide for these measures.

The claim is made in a September 24 Instagram video featuring American osteopathic doctor Sherri Tenpenny, who has spoken out against vaccinations in the past.

“I would like to provide a brief update on a document called the Pact of the Future, which was adopted by the United Nations this weekend,” she begins.

“It means that … everyone is expected to have a biometric digital ID that identifies them not just as a citizen of a single country, but as a global citizen.”

“Anyone who expresses a discordant opinion will be labeled as misinformation…Those responsible for unauthorized information will be fact-checked and penalized by the system powered and enforced by artificial intelligence.”

The video is being shared widely on social media, including by users in New Zealand and the Pacific.

AAP Fact Check contacted Dr. Tenpenny and asked for evidence to support the claim, but received no response.

The Future Pact is a non-binding agreement adopted by the UN General Assembly during the Future Summit on September 22-23 in New York.

It emphasizes the importance of multilateralism and outlines 56 actions on issues such as poverty, climate change, gender equality, conflict, human rights and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The agreement includes two annex documents – the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations – that address the regulation of artificial intelligence and the consideration of the interests of the next generation in global decision-making.

Kathryn Jacobsen, a professor of health studies at the University of Richmond in the US, said AAP Fact Check Biometric digital IDs and the punishment of those who hold “dissonant” (or dissident) opinions are not mentioned anywhere in the 61 pages.

“The Pact for the Future document primarily reaffirms existing commitments to make progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals set in 2016 and scheduled to expire in 2030,” said Dr. Jacobsen.

Ronald Labonte, Professor Emeritus at the University of Ottawa, Confirmed plans for a biometric ID system are not included in the pact.

“Statements on digital technology are primarily about protecting human rights and individual identity,” he said, “while monitoring the spread of mis- or disinformation in accordance with national laws.”

Action 18 of the Pact, relating to peace efforts, addresses the risks posed by disinformation, misinformation and hate speech, while respecting freedom of expression and privacy (page 16).

Dr. Adam Kamradt-Scott, associate professor of One Health diplomacy at Tufts University in the US, said AAP Fact Check All references to misinformation contained in the pact continue to emphasize the need to protect freedom of expression, meaning that “people are still free to express their opinions – even if they are out of touch with reality – without fear of reprisal.”

It is not intended to restrict freedom of expression, said Dr. Kamradt-Scott, but shows that governments have agreed to work together to combat hate speech and promote fact-based information in accordance with national laws.

Professor Labonte noted that countries are not bound by any of the pact's statements: “It is not legally binding on member states.”

AAP Fact Check has also addressed claims that the pact undermines countries' sovereignty.

The verdict

INCORRECT – The claim is incorrect.

AAP FactCheck is an accredited member of the International Fact-Checking Network. To stay up to date with our latest fact checks, follow us on Facebook. Twitter and Instagram.