BRIDGE confronts rising threat to privacy in age of relentless misinformation

The BRIDGE Summit confronted the realities of the digital era and explored what it means for public figures and ordinary citizens to protect truth, dignity and personal safety in a world where visibility comes with real consequences.

It was during a wide-ranging conversation titled "In the Spotlight: Privacy, Risk and Resilience in the Age of Misinformation" led by Dr. Jamal Mohammed Obaid Al Kaabi, Vice Chairman of BRIDGE.

Cécilia Attias, Founder and President of the Cécilia Attias Foundation for Women and Advisory Board Member of the BRIDGE Alliance, gave the conversation a deep personal dimension on privacy as she spoke about family life, her children, and the dangers that some in the media can present to those who live in the spotlight.

She reflected on the importance of guarding private life with intention and creating protected moments away from public scrutiny.

Attias noted that false stories are one of the most persistent burdens faced by public figures, alongside everyday constraints such as being unable to shop freely with family due to constant cameras.

Her thoughts on family life and the impact of media led the couple to reflect on the years they lived in the UAE and the country’s continuing importance to their ongoing work, with both sharing a deep admiration and devotion to the Emirates.

“It’s one of the rare countries in the world with total objectivity, where privacy is respected,” she said. “We never had a single issue when we were living here.”

“There is a warmth in the people of this region that is so important,” she said.

Richard Attias, Strategic Advisor to the Chairman of the BRIDGE Alliance, also highlighted the UAE's overall impact on his career, stating that the country, with its cultural diversity and spirit of coexistence, has long inspired his work in creating spaces for meaningful, solutions-driven conversation. "I moved from building physical bridges to building bridges between people," he said. 

He stressed that the accelerating power of AI makes it more important than ever for humans to remain in control of their tools, not the other way around..

Held until December 10, this session forms part of a 300+ session programme that reflects BRIDGE Summit’s scale and ambition at ADNEC in Abu Dhabi.