Updating the Declaration of Principles for Post-Detection SETI: Global Verification, Ethics, and Coordination Ahead of IAC 2026

To the point

Michael Garrett of Jodrell Bank leads an international effort with Leslie Tennen, Kathryn Denning, and Carol Oliver to update an eight-principle framework for post-detection SETI activities, drawing on 1980s ideas and a 2010 revision, to be voted by the Permanent SETI Committee and unveiled at the IAC in Turkey in 2026, emphasizing rigorous independent verification before any discovery claim, prompt and open reporting after verification (with possible initial secrecy to avoid false alarms), safeguarded data and protected detection frequencies under international rules, a post-detection sub-committee for societal and ethical guidance and messaging, international consultation and UN agreement before replying to any ET signal, ongoing debate about keeping origin coordinates confidential, a goal of high ethical standards and a shared best-practices repository, and discussions about METI and possible ufology involvement, with a final Declaration due August 2026 and a draft available for review.

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You’ve discovered an alien signal, but before you get to the point that you’re appearing on talk shows and advising Steven Spielberg (or should it be Robert Zemeckis?) on the film adaptation, what are you supposed to do? Who do you tell that you’ve found ET? And what then? If only there was some document, some advice, to guide you through the next vital steps...