The UN has established new rules for communicating with extraterrestrial civilizations

The International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) has updated its “Declaration of Principles for the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI),” imposing a strict ban on sending response signals to extraterrestrials until extensive international consultations have been held under the auspices of the United Nations. The document, revised for the first time since 2010, aims to ensure that humanity acts responsibly in the event of the discovery of extraterrestrial intelligence.

According to the updated principles, if a potential signal is detected, scientists are required to undergo a procedure for independent verification of the discovery, after which they must publicly notify the scientific community and the UN Secretary-General. Until international consultations are completed—the procedures for which are to be set forth in a separate agreement—sending any response is strictly prohibited.

The document places particular emphasis on combating misinformation. The authors of the recommendations urge researchers to refrain from making hasty statements, to strictly distinguish between confirmed facts and speculation, and to consider the risks of fake news spreading on social media. The new protocols are designed to minimize threats and ensure global coordination of human actions.

At the same time, experts note the existence of various approaches to interpreting unexplained phenomena: for example, former U.S. Vice President James David Vance previously expressed the view that the UFO phenomenon may be religious rather than extraterrestrial in nature, characterizing such objects as “demonic.”