What happens if we detect aliens? SETI updates the rules

The new guidelines were developed by an international team led by Professor Michael Garrett of the University of Manchester, who chairs the IAA SETI Committee. They are designed to address challenges posed by today's information environment, including social media, AI-generated content, deepfakes and the rapid spread of misinformation.

According to the revised Declaration of Principles, any potential detection of extraterrestrial technology must undergo rigorous independent verification before it is announced publicly. Researchers are required to seek confirmation from separate organizations using different instruments to ensure that unusual signals or artifacts are not the result of errors, interference or false interpretations.

Garrett said the modern media landscape makes careful verification more important than ever, warning that unconfirmed claims could quickly trigger confusion or public alarm. The updated protocols emphasize transparency, evidence-based communication and coordinated risk management in the event of a credible discovery.

The rules also reflect major changes in SETI research since the previous version was adopted in 2010. Scientists are no longer focused solely on radio signals and now search for a wider range of so-called technosignatures, including optical laser emissions, infrared heat signatures that could indicate large technological structures, and other forms of electromagnetic or multi-messenger signals.

In addition, the declaration introduces provisions aimed at protecting researchers involved in a potential discovery. The document acknowledges risks such as online harassment, doxxing, misinformation campaigns and intense media scrutiny that could follow a high-profile announcement.

While the protocols establish procedures for sharing evidence of extraterrestrial intelligence, they reaffirm a long-standing principle that humanity should not immediately respond to any detected signal. The declaration states that sending a reply should only be considered after broad international consultations, including discussions through the United Nations.

The updated declaration will be formally presented to the global scientific community at the International Astronautical Congress in Türkiye later this year. The IAA SETI Committee also plans to create a permanent Post-Detection Sub-Committee bringing together experts in law, ethics and social sciences to examine the broader implications of a confirmed discovery.

Earlier, Qazinform News Agency reported that the US released its first declassified UFO files under a Trump transparency order.