Tech Mirror

The Social and Moral Imperative to Act

Johanna speaks with Alice Dawkins, Executive Director of Reset.Tech Australia, an independent, non-partisan policy initiative wrestling with questions about online harms & safety, digital information markets, democracy and tech accountability. 

In a wide-ranging conversation, the pair discuss topics including:

• Alice’s experience in Myanmar working with public interest lawyers involved in that country’s pro-democracy movement
• Reset’s research on young people and privacy online in Australia 
• Social media platform monitoring during the Voice referendum campaign
• Truth in political advertising 
• The federal government’s plans to introduce new laws to provide the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) with powers to combat online misinformation and disinformation
• The limitation of co-regulatory approaches to tech policymaking 
• Tech exceptionalism and accountability 
• The importance of securing access to platform data for researchers and civil society experts

 

 

Relevant Links:

Reset.Tech Australia https://au.reset.tech/

Reset’s report on Young People and Online Privacy https://au.reset.tech/news/report-realising-young-people-s-rights-in-the-digital-environment/

 

Exposure draft of the Communications Legislation Amendment (Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill 2023 https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/department/media/publications/communications-legislation-amendment-combatting-misinformation-and-disinformation-bill-2023 

John Naughton’s columns (professor of the public understanding of technology at the Open University and author of From Gutenberg to Zuckerberg: What You Really Need to Know About the Internet) https://www.theguardian.com/profile/johnnaughton 

 

Logic(s) magazine https://logicmag.io/ 

 

Follow:

Alice Dawkins Twitter https://twitter.com/adawko 

Alice Dawkins Linkedin https://au.linkedin.com/in/alicedawkins

Everything is Content Moderation

Johanna speaks with Evelyn Douek, assistant Professor at Stanford Law School (and former corporate lawyer in Australia), about the public and private regulation of speech online. The pair discusses:

• the private and public regulation of speech online

• why 'everything is content moderation' and what it might mean to take a systems thinking approach

• the importance of platform transparency

• the history, significance, and politics of Section 230

• institutional competence and the role of courts

• the state of trust and safety

• the value of a functioning parliament and the differences between Australia and the U.S. in making tech policy

At 21:11, Johanna refers to the Foreign Interference Committee. For clarification, this reference was made in relation to the Big Tech Inquiry of the Senate Economics References Committee, chaired by Senator Bragg (colloquially referred to as the social media foreign interference committee). This is not to be confused with the Select Committee on Foreign Interference through Social Media, chaired by Senator Paterson.

 

Relevant Links:

Evelyn Douek: https://www.evelyndouek.com/

Moderated Content podcast: https://law.stanford.edu/directory/evelyn-douek/moderated-content/

Content Moderation as Systems Thinking, by Evelyn Douek, Harvard Law Review: https://harvardlawreview.org/print/vol-136/content-moderation-as-systems-thinking/

Casey Newton’s Platformer newsletter: https://www.platformer.news/

The Washington Post’s technology newsletter: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/the-202-newsletters/the-technology-202/

Rest of World: https://restofworld.org/

 

Follow:

Evelyn Douek on Twitter: @evelyndouek 

Stanford Law School on Twitter: @StanfordLaw

Stanford Law School on LinkedIn: Stanford Law School (SLS)

Man-Made: How the bias of the past is being built into the future

In this episode Johanna speaks with author and journalist Tracey Spicer about her new book, Man-made: how the bias of the past is being built into the future. The book explores the history of discrimination in technology and the importance of diversity and inclusion in today's tech ecosystem. Spicer makes a case for a new social contract, one that would see people holding the power over machines.  

 

Relevant Links:

Tracey Spicer website: https://traceyspicer.com.au/ 

Tracey Spicer new book, Man-made: https://www.simonandschuster.com.au/books/Man-Made/Tracey-Spicer/9781761106378 

Dr. Joy Buolamwini: https://www.poetofcode.com/ 

Dr. Joy Buolamwini TED Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/joy_buolamwini_how_i_m_fighting_bias_in_algorithms 

Algorithmic Justice League: https://www.ajl.org/ 

Coded Bias, Netflix documentary: https://www.netflix.com/au/title/81328723 

Professor Yolande Strengers: https://research.monash.edu/en/persons/yolande-strengers 

 

Follow: 

Tracey Spicer on Twitter: @TraceySpicer 

Tracey Spicer on LinkedIn: Tracey Spicer AM GAICD

Dr. Joy Buolamwini on Twitter: @jovialjoy

Yolande Strengers  on Twitter: @YolandeStreng

Keeping Pace: The Case for Digital Regulation

In this episode of Tech Mirror, Johanna is in conversation with Gina Cass-Gottlieb, Chair of the ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission), one of Australia’s lead regulators in the area of technology and digital platforms.  

In a wide-ranging conversation the pair discuss: the ACCC’s Digital Platform Services inquiry 2020 – 2025, how regulators can develop the tech knowledge and capacity required for making good policy, the relationship between innovation and market power, unfair trading practices, in a digital context, artificial intelligence, ex-ante approaches to regulation and; the importance of thinking about the tech ecosystem as a whole. 

 

Relevant Links:

The ACCC Digital platform services inquiry 2020 – 2025: https://www.accc.gov.au/inquiries-and-consultations/digital-platform-services-inquiry-2020-25 

Gina Cass-Gottlieb's National Press Club speech (12 April 2023) on the role of the ACCC and competition in a transitioning economy: https://www.accc.gov.au/about-us/media/speeches/the-role-of-the-accc-and-competition-in-a-transitioning-economy-address-to-the-national-press-club-2023

Pivot podcast with Kara Swisher and Scott Galloway: https://podcasts.voxmedia.com/show/pivot 

Decoder podcast with Nilay Patel: https://www.theverge.com/decoder-podcast-with-nilay-patel 

The Platform Law blog: https://theplatformlaw.blog/ 

The Information: https://www.theinformation.com/ 

U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary hearing on the Oversight of A.I.: Rules for Artificial Intelligence (16 May 2023): https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/committee-activity/hearings/oversight-of-ai-rules-for-artificial-intelligence 

Tech Policy Design Centre’s Tech Policy Atlas: https://techpolicydesign.au/tech-policy-atlas

 

Follow:

ACCC Twitter: @acccgovau

ACCC LinkedIn: @ACCC

Gina Cass-Gottlieb: @Gina Cass-Gottlieb

 

Shutdowns and spyware: Human Rights in the Digital Era

Johanna speaks with Brett Solomon, co-founder and Executive Director of Access Now, about the state of digital rights in 2023. The pair discuss critical issues including internet shutdowns, the growth of the surveillance industry, and Australia’s role in defending human rights in the digital era. The conversation took place in the lead-up to the 12th edition of Access Now’s annual RightsCon summit (5 – 8 June 2023). 

Relevant Links: 
 Rights Con, 5 – 8 June 2023, online and in person (Costa Rica) June: https://www.rightscon.org/ 

 Access Now Express weekly newsletter: https://act.accessnow.org/page/29451/subscribe/1 

Access Now report on internet shutdowns ‘Weapons of control, shields of impunity: internet shutdowns in 2022’: https://www.accessnow.org/internet-shutdowns-2022/ 

This Week in Cyberspace, Brett Solomon and Nell Schofield podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/1-24-australias-hacking-act/id1648274889?i=1000613301302

Follow: 

Brett Solomon on Twitter: @solomonbrett

Access Now on Twitter: @accessnow 

RightsCon on Twitter: @rightscon

Tech & Democracy: Brain Surgery in a Taxi

In this episode of Tech Mirror, Johanna speaks to Nitin Pai, co-founder and director of the Takshashila Institution, an independent think tank and school of public policy based in Bengaluru. In a thought-provoking conversation, the pair discuss the complex relationship between the tech industry and government, the global contest between open and closed information orders, hacking of minds, and how we can use technology to strengthen 21 century democracy.  

Relevant Links: 

The Takshashila Institution https://takshashila.org.in/ 

Takshashila Report - An Open Tech Strategy for India (A Working Draft) https://takshashila.org.in/research/an-open-tech-strategy-for-india

Freedom to Think: The Long Struggle to Liberate Our Minds by Susie Alegre: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/60450548 

Conceptualising Information Warfare https://notes.nitinpai.in/In+no+particular+order/Conceptualising+Information+Warfare  

Technology & Policy: GCPP https://school.takshashila.org.in/gcpp-technology-policy 

Follow: 

Nitin Pai on Twitter: @acorn 

Takshashila on Twitter: @TakshashilaInst 

Tech Policy Design Centre on Twitter: @TPDesignCentre 

Digital Identify: Waking Sleeping Gorillas

In this episode of Tech Mirror, Johanna speaks to Amit Singh, a member of the expert panel appointed by the Australian Federal Government to oversee an independent audit of the government digital services platform, myGov.

The conversation covers the history, present and future of the Australian digital identity ecosystem. Johanna and Amit explore the challenges of designing smart digital identity policy and discuss the roles for government (described by Singh as ‘the sleeping gorilla waking up to the digital party’) in this complex ecosystem.

 

Relevant links:

myGov user audit report (https://my.gov.au/en/audit)

Technology and History: "Kranzberg's Laws" https://www.jstor.org/stable/3105385?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents

The Power Law (https://www.penguin.com.au/books/the-power-law-9780241356531), by Sebastian Mallaby

The Digital Republic: on Freedom and Democracy in the 21^st Century (https://www.bloomsbury.com/au/digital-republic-9781526625489/), by Jamie Susskind (former Tech Mirror guest https://techpolicydesign.au/podcast/15-the-digital-republic)

Semafor tech coverage (https://www.semafor.com/vertical/tech)

Advancing Prosperity: 5-year Productivity Inquiry report, by the Productivity Commission https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/completed/productivity/report

Treasurer Jim Chalmers speech to CEDA (the Committee for Economic Development of Australia) – ‘Turning headwinds into tailwinds – Australia’s productivity challenge’ https://ministers.treasury.gov.au/ministers/jim-chalmers 2022/speeches/address-ceda-brisbane

BONUS EPISODE: Cracking the Code: IWD 2023

The theme of IWD this year is Cracking the Code: Innovation for a gender equal future. In this episode Johanna interviews leading women in tech policy in the margins of the Raisina Conference in India. Prepare to be inspired as they share their career journeys, examples of how tech is driving gender inclusion, and offer advice for women consider a career in tech.

 

Guests in order of appearance:

Dounya Boughambouz, founder of Robo Kids Academy

Rebecca Razavi, Head APAC Public Policy LinkedIn: @RebeccaJRazavi

Utsa Kaitesi, CEO Rwanda Governance Board: @UtsaNcusta

Penny Burt, Head APAC Policy and Government Engagement, Stripe:@PennyBurt

Mihoko Matsubra, Chief Cybersecurity Strategist, NTT: @M_Miho_JPN

Neira Dali Chaouch, CEO Women AI, President WomTech: @NDalichaouch

Kaja Ciglic, Head Digital Diplomacy, Microsoft: @KajaCiglic

 

Relevant links:

UN Women Australia Donate: https://unwomen.org.au/

UN Women Facts: https://unwomen.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/IWD-Key-Messages-2023-v2.pdf

Privacy is Not Dead

In this episode, Johanna brings together a group of Australian privacy experts to discuss the Federal Government’s Privacy Act Review and to share their perspectives on the reforms that have been proposed and what might happen next.

Hot topics included the meaning and importance of privacy in the digital age, the scope of the Privacy Act, meaningful consent, data minimalization, deidentification, international harmonisation.    

Guests this episode were Anna Johnston, founder and Principal of Salinger Privacy, a privacy consulting and advisory service, David Vaile, Chair of the Australian Privacy Foundation and Sunita Bose, Managing Director of DIGI, a not-for-profit industry association advocating for the digital industry. 

Relevant Links: 
UNICEF: Digital Age Assurance tools and Childrens Rights Online across the Globe – a Discussion Paper: https://c-fam.org/wp-content/uploads/Digital-Age-Assurance-Tools-and-Childrens-Rights-Online-across-the-Globe.pdf 

Salinger Privacy Reforms hub of resources: https://www.salingerprivacy.com.au/privacy-reforms/ 

Podcast: This week in digital trust – #51 The Wait is Over: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/51-the-wait-is-over/id1616386683?i=1000601017587 

Australian Privacy Foundation: https://privacy.org.au/ 

Bruce Schneier’s Newsletter Crypto-Gram: https://www.schneier.com/crypto-gram/ 

Cultivating Coordination Research Paper: https://techpolicydesign.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/TPDC_Cultivating_Coordination_2_20230221.pdf 

Follow: 

Sunita Bose on Twitter @SunitaBose 

Digital Industry Group on Twitter: @DIGIAUS 

Salinger Privacy (Anna Johnson) on Twitter @SalingerPrivacy 

Australian Privacy Foundation on Twitter @apf_oz 

Tech Policy Design Centre on Twitter: @TPDesignCentre 

Converge

Dr Catherine Ball, businesswoman, futurist, and ‘dame of drones’ sits down with Johanna Weaver in the studio to discuss her new book ‘Converge’, which takes readers on a (mostly) optimistic journey through technological breakthroughs that will shape our future.

Catherine reflects on life experiences that brought her into the world of tech futurism, and details her thoughts and inspirations for writing the book. It’s a fast-moving conversation, complete with a 90’s duet from this dynamic duo. Enjoy!

Tech Mirror is recorded on Ngunnawal land. We acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land and pay our respect to elders past, present, and emerging.

Professor Johanna Weaver is Director of the Tech Policy Design Centre at the Australian National University. This episode was produced by Jack Fox, with special thanks to Tanvi Nair for post-production support.

 

Relevant links:

Converge: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61665592-converge

The Start-up Wife: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55711675-the-startup-wife

Prof Genevieve Bell’s Ted Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/genevieve_bell_6_big_ethical_questions_about_the_future_of_ai?language=en

XPrize Wesbite: https://www.xprize.org/

 

Follow:

Catherine Ball Twitter: @DrCatherineBall

Send us your questions: techpolicydesign@anu.edu.au 

Follow us on Twitter: @TPDesignCentre