This week we deconstruct the idea of social license in tech, starting with the story of a technology that Google and Facebook didn't dare release, but which is now available to everyone.

Originally coined in the context of mining and extractive industries, 'social license' refers to community acceptance of a company's business practices. For some companies, maintaining social license can be an effective check on behaviour, but for tech startups like ClearviewAI and PimEyes, well, not so much.

Links:

Kashmir Hill on how the tech giants held back on facial recognition (NYT) https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/09/technology/google-facebook-facial-recognition.html

Social license explainer (The Ethics Centre) https://ethics.org.au/ethics-explainer-social-license-to-operate/

OAIC submission on social license in AI (OAIC) https://www.oaic.gov.au/engage-with-us/submissions/developing-standards-for-artificial-intelligence-hearing-australias-voice-submission-to-standards-australia

#84 Shame! The fragile power of social license