An aerial picture can tell a thousand stories. But who gets to tell them? From above the clouds, our world is surveilled and datafied. Those who control the data, control the narratives. We explore the legacy of spatial apartheid in South Africa’s townships, and hear from people around the world who are reclaiming power over their own maps. Raesetje Sefala is mapping the legacy of spatial apartheid in South Africa as a research fellow with the Distributed AI Research Institute (DAIR) founded by Timnit Gebru. Astha Kapoor researches how communities and organizations can be ‘stewards’ of data about people and places as co-founder of the Aapti Institute in India. Michael Running Wolf is the founder of Indigenous in AI working on speech recognition and immersive spatial experiences with augmented and virtual reality in Canada. Denise McKenzie is a location data expert who works with the global mapping organization PLACE to empower governments and communities to use advanced spatial data. [...] Source: AI from Above — The Internet Health Report 2022 | Mozilla
Racial platform capitalism: Empire, migration and the making of Uber in London | SAGE Journals
The critical platform studies literature has built a compelling picture of how techniques like worker (mis)classification, algorithmic management and workforce atomisation lie at the heart of how ‘work on-demand via apps’ actively restructure labour. Much of this emerging scholarship identifies that platform workforces are predominantly comprised of migrant and racially minoritised workers. However, few studies theorise migration and race as structuring logics of the platform model and the precarity it engenders. This paper addresses this gap by exploring how the platform economy – specifically work on-demand via apps – both shapes and is shaped by historically contingent contexts of racialisation, and their constitutive processes such as embodiment and immigration policy/rhetoric. Beyond identifying the over-representation of racial minorities in the platform economy, it argues that processes of racialisation have been crucial at every stage of the platform economy's rise to dominance, and therefore constitutes a key organising principle of platform capitalism – hence the term ‘racial platform capitalism’. In doing so, this paper draws on the racial capitalism literature, to situate key platform techniques such as worker (mis)classification and algorithmic management as forms of racial practice, deployed to (re-)organise surplus urban labour-power following the 2008 financial crisis. This framework will be explored through an ethnographic study of Uber's rise in London. Through this, the paper demonstrates a co-constitutive relationship, where the conditions of minoritised workers in a global city like London post-2008, and the political economy of platform companies can be said to have co-produced one another. Source: Racial platform capitalism: Empire, migration and the making of Uber in London | SAGE Journals
To Advance Digital Security, Advocates Should Look to the Climate Movement | Tech Policy Press
The costs of events such as the SolarWinds hack, the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack, and countless other hacks and breaches continue to mount, yet cybersecurity largely remains the domain of technical experts. To make progress on the critical digital security problems of the next decade, cybersecurity will need to garner broader appeal. But where is the social movement that will reshape cybersecurity? We have a ready playbook for movement building from another complex problem: climate change. Despite frustrations and setbacks, over decades climate advocates have refined a strategy of public engagement and mobilization, demonstrably shaping climate policies and behaviors. The passage of the most significant federal investment in clean energy and climate change mitigation measures to date in the U.S. Senate just last week is a testament to the movement’s long term commitment [...] Source: To Advance Digital Security, Advocates Should Look to the Climate Movement
TechTank Podcast Episode 50: How does tech policy fall short in protecting people with disabilities? | Brookings
In the tech policy space, people with disabilities face many problems. Artificial intelligence (AI) biases have created disparate outcomes in automated hiring, while surveillance technology such as automated test proctoring software fails to accommodate students with disabilities. Emerging technologies such as augmented reality, virtual reality (AR/ VR), and automated vehicles either do not work for people with disabilities or actively put them in danger. On TechTank, guest host Samantha Lai, research analyst at the Brookings Institution, is joined by Lydia X.Z. Brown, Policy Counsel for Disability Rights and Algorithmic Fairness for the Privacy and Data Project at the Center for Democracy and Technology, and Director of Policy Advocacy, and External Affairs for the Autistic Women and Nonbinary Network; Alex Engler, a Governance Studies fellow at Brookings and adjunct professor and affiliated scholar at Georgetown’s McCourt School of Public Policy; and Henry Claypool, Technology Policy Consultant for the American Association for People with Disabilities and National Policy Expert at the Brandeis University Heller School for Social Policy and Management’s Community Living Policy Center. Together, they will discuss how people with disabilities are affected by existing technology, while looking into necessary legislation and protection to rectify these wrongs. [...] Source: TechTank Podcast Episode 50: How does tech policy fall short in protecting people with disabilities?
A New Fellowship to Diversify Cybersecurity | New America
When it comes to technology and cybersecurity, the United States is at a critical moment. The White House’s recent activity, such as the Federal Cybersecurity Workforce Summit hosted by the Office of the National Cyber Director and the passage of a semiconductor bill through the Senate to reduce reliance on strategic rivals like China, are all indications of how rapidly technology is becoming more central to our futures. But with new innovations come not just new technical vulnerabilities, but also new challenges. Among these is ensuring that we don’t ignore — or even worse, amplify — existing inequities when it comes to the security of the American people. If the U.S. is to succeed in a digitized, tech-centered future, it must invest in further developing and strengthening the cybersecurity talent pipeline. And, if it is to do so successfully, then diversity, equity, and inclusion must be part of the equation. [...] Source: A New Fellowship to Diversify Cybersecurity
Report – Hidden Harms: The Misleading Promise of Monitoring Students Online | Center for Democracy and Technology
The pressure on schools to keep students safe, especially to protect them physically and support their mental health, has never been greater. The mental health crisis, which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and concerns about the increasing number of school shootings have led to questions about the role of technology in meeting these goals. From monitoring students’ public social media posts to tracking what they do in real-time on their devices, technology aimed at keeping students safe is growing in popularity. However, the harms that such technology inflicts are increasingly coming to light. [...] Source: Report – Hidden Harms: The Misleading Promise of Monitoring Students Online – Center for Democracy and Technology
Aynne Kokas on the Intersection Between Surveillance Capitalism and Chinese Sharp Power (or How Much Does the CCP Already Know About You?) | Democracy Paradox
You’ve probably noticed the title for today’s episode is super long. In case you can’t read it on your phone, it’s called “Aynne Kokas on the Intersection Between Surveillance Capitalism and Chinese Sharp Power (or How Much Does the CCP Already Know About You?).” Some of you will notice I snuck in two pieces of political science jargon near the beginning. Maybe you’re familiar with surveillance capitalism and sharp power. Aynne’s research combines those two ideas in a rather unique way. But for those unfamiliar let me put it like this: The Chinese government has access to far more data on ordinary Americans than you’re probably comfortable with. [...] Source: Aynne Kokas on the Intersection Between Surveillance Capitalism and Chinese Sharp Power (or How Much Does the CCP Already Know About You?) – Democracy Paradox
A Series on the EU Digital Services Act: Tackling Illegal Content Online | Center for Democracy and Technology
With the CDT Europe “Digital Services Act Series”, we take a deep dive into the recently adopted EU Digital Services Act, the bloc’s flagship online platforms governance Regulation. We break down key obligations, reflect on the potential impact of the legislation and pose recommendations towards the next steps in bringing the legislation to life. We hope that this series provides a more comprehensive understanding of the DSA and its implications and will support future analysis as the European Commission takes steps to supplement and implement the legislation. [...] Source: A Series on the EU Digital Services Act: Tackling Illegal Content Online – Center for Democracy and Technology
Modern Indentured Servitude in the Gig Economy | IEEE Technology and Society
In March 2018, the death of Elaine Herzberg, Tempe, AZ, USA, caused by an autonomous Uber vehicle (with a training driver behind the wheel) made headlines. Uber responded by suspending its self-driving program in Phoenix, San Francisco, Pittsburgh, and Toronto. The complexity around determining liability for that fatal accident demonstrates that self-driving cars have had an enormous impact in terms of completely changing the rules of engagement. For the most part, new rules are being established on the fly, without scenario planning or adequate anticipatory governance. [...] Source: Modern Indentured Servitude in the Gig Economy – IEEE Technology and Society
The True Meaning of Cybersecurity | Project Syndicate
As more activities move online, our understanding of cybersecurity must evolve to stay ahead of emerging threats to public health and security. The digital market for illegal recreational substances shows why longstanding law-enforcement strategies will need to be reconsidered. [...] Source: The True Meaning of Cybersecurity by Martin Ignacio Díaz Velásquez – Project Syndicate