IRL: Online Life is Real Life

This podcast explores the trade-offs of sharing personal data online, including the story of a man whose HIV status was exposed without his permission. It discusses the value of free services and the prevalence of privacy concerns in advertisements. The podcast also delves into data mining and privacy concerns with Palantir Technologies, as well as the impact of targeted ads and the GDPR. It concludes by highlighting the need for change and a new relationship with power in the digital age.

In Season 3 of IRL, we're exploring the bargains we make online every day, and how we might approach striking better deals with the powers that be. You'll find out what happened when the U.S. Army got into the video game business, what it's like to be a professional flirter on Tinder (for real), and how a super cute pig transformed a person's life one Instagram post at a time. Episode 1 launches July 2nd. Subscribe via Apple podcasts or Spotify, or wherever you get your ear candy. IRL is an original podcast from Mozilla. For more on the series go to irlpodcast.org For behind-the-scenes video of IRL Trailer production, and a bit more about why we're making this podcast, check out our blog.

Exploring the challenges of navigating the misinformation age, including the impact on personal identities. The speakers play a game to determine if headlines are real or fake. They discuss the influence of fake news and misinformation on elections, as well as the responsibility of consumers in sharing and consuming online information. The podcast concludes with personal anecdotes and an invitation for audience participation in future episodes.

Megan Phelps-Roper discusses the Westboro Baptist Church and the bubbles that form both on and offline. B.J. May shares his experience with the bubbles he encountered in his Twitter feed and how he broke free. The podcast explores filter bubbles, how social media can create and break them, and the power of mobilizing online communities. It also discusses leaving a religious group, changing beliefs, and the impact of social media.

From Google search to Facebook news, algorithms shape our online experience. But like us, algorithms are flawed. Programmers write cultural biases into code, whether they realize it or not. Author Luke Dormehl explores the impact of algorithms, on and offline. Staci Burns and James Bridle investigate the human cost when YouTube recommendations are abused. Anthropologist Nick Seaver talks about the danger of automating the status quo. Safiya Noble looks at preventing racial bias from seeping into code. And Allegheny County’s Department of Children and Family Services shows us how a well-built algorithm can help save lives. Algorithms aren’t neutral. They’re really just recipes; expressions of human intent. That means it’s up to us to build the algorithms we want. Read more on how we can make algorithms more accountable. IRL is an original podcast from Mozilla. For more on the series go to irlpodcast.org. Leave a rating or review in Apple Podcasts so we know what you think.

Guests Jonathan Hirshon, Peter Steiner, Kaamran Hafeez, Alison Macrina, and Morgan Taylor discuss the value of anonymity on the internet, maintaining privacy, the evolution of memes and digital anonymity, and what lies beneath the searchable web.

Facial recognition technology and its impact on our lives is explored in this podcast. Topics include mistaken identity, racial bias in big data, power and risks of recognition for marginalized communities, future of facial recognition technology, and its deployment in China.

Growing up online, Internet addiction rehab, apps borrowing from gambling technology, breaking up with Twitter, Internet as a lifeline, no-smartphone challenge, challenges of constant internet use, digital overload and breaking point, understanding the four steps of the Hook model, addiction vs habit, product responsibility, managing digital overload and detoxing habits.

Experts in social media bots, Lauren Kunze and Jenn Schiffer, along with researcher Lisa-Maria Neudert, political bot CEO Jack Hirsch, and bot authority Ben Nimmo discuss the influence of bots on politics and online discourse. Topics covered include the rise of social media bots, identifying and countering bot activities, the impact of bots on the 2016 election and net neutrality, and the transformative power of the internet.

The podcast discusses the battle for the open Internet and what's next in the fight for net neutrality. Topics include trolling Ajit Pai with a pay-per-pupper plan, Verizon protesters' experiences, the road ahead for net neutrality according to FCC's Mignon Clyburn, and taking the fight to court. The importance of a free and open internet, potential legal arguments, ISP precautions, and the political implications of net neutrality are also explored.