The Tech Policy Press Podcast

Joris van Hoboken, a Professor of Information Law at the University of Amsterdam and a key player in the Digital Services Act Observatory, joins to discuss the EU's €120 million fine on Elon Musk’s X. They dive into the implications of this landmark enforcement against digital non-compliance. Joris explores the ongoing investigations, the political responses from Musk and U.S. officials, and the broader landscape of digital regulation in Europe. He wraps up with insights into the future of enforcement actions and his personal passion for punk rock.

Calum Lister Matheson, an associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh and author of Post-Weird, delves into the psychology behind community beliefs in a fractured digital age. He discusses how fantasy shapes our understanding of reality amidst declining consensus and the evolving role of technology in heightening division. Matheson highlights case studies like Sandy Hook conspiracism and the dynamics within pro-anorexia groups, emphasizing the need for nuanced rhetoric and the dangers of fringe beliefs gaining political traction.

Danielle Keats Citron, a law professor and cyberstalking scholar, Ari Ezra Waldman, a socio-legal expert on privacy, and Jeff Allen, former Meta data scientist, delve into the evolution of trust and safety in tech. They explore the shift from ad hoc moderation to formal policies, highlighting significant events like Gamergate. Their discussion touches on the impact of organizational dynamics, the challenges of compliance governance, and a hopeful note about seasoned professionals moving to regulatory roles. An enlightening look into the complex world of digital safety!

In this discussion, Julia Smakman, a Senior Researcher at the Ada Lovelace Institute, and Leevi Saari, an EU Policy Fellow at the AI Now Institute, dive into the EU's ambitious Digital Omnibus. They explore how the omnibus aims to simplify compliance with the AI Act and GDPR while raising concerns about digital rights. The guests dissect the true nature of digital sovereignty, questioning whether the initiative favors large tech firms over smaller ones. They also discuss advocacy strategies to influence the omnibus and the mixed reactions from member states.

Chris Gilliard, co-director of the Critical Internet Studies Institute and author of the upcoming book Luxury Surveillance, discusses pivotal privacy matters. He critiques the normalization of surveillance during the pandemic, especially with online proctoring and home visibility. Gilliard explains digital redlining and how luxury devices like smart wearables can perpetuate surveillance. He posits an abolitionist view on harmful technologies and foresees a future free from extractive capitalism, advocating for collective resistance for a privacy-positive world.

Adam Fivenson, a nonresident fellow at American University and expert on information integrity, joins Samantha Bradshaw, assistant professor and CSINT director focusing on misinformation. They discuss reframing the 'information war' as a matter of social transformation rather than military loss. The duo explores the effects of disinformation on democratic deliberation, the importance of evidence-based information, and the societal risks posed by low-integrity content. They also emphasize innovative strategies for rebuilding trust through community-based journalism and engaging new media platforms.

This discussion features Ryan Cummings, Chief of Staff at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research; Sarah West, Co-director of the AI Now Institute; and journalist Brian Merchant. They explore whether the AI investment surge indicates a bubble poised to burst. Topics include the financing behind AI developments, potential economic repercussions, and how such a crash could impact narratives around AI and geopolitics. They suggest possible policy responses, including stronger social safety nets and antitrust measures, emphasizing the need for public-interest frameworks.

Peter Chapman, Associate Director at the Knight-Georgetown Institute, Brandi Geurkink, Executive Director of the Coalition for Independent Technology Research, and Elka Seiling, a researcher at the Weizenbaum Institute, dive into the vital need for independent researchers to have better access to technology platform data. They discuss the power dynamics of data access, the challenges posed by the EU's Digital Services Act, and the potential for a more accountable tech landscape. Their insights highlight the crucial link between research access and civic empowerment.

Mimi Ọnụọha, a visual artist known for exploring the intersections of data, technology, and societal power dynamics, shares her thought-provoking insights. She discusses the evolution of data terminology and reveals how art can bear witness to the realities of authoritarianism. With fascinating examples like her Catcalling Intervention, Mimi highlights the importance of recognizing missing data sets. She advocates for deeper collaboration between artists and policy practitioners to imagine a more just future, emphasizing the need to question whose interests technology truly serves.

Ryan Calo, a law professor and information scientist at the University of Washington, explores the intersection of law and technology. He discusses how the Amish approach to technology challenges assumptions about technological inevitability. Calo critiques the current fetishization of innovation, highlighting its hidden failures. He advocates for a proactive legal approach that aligns technology with societal values and outlines a four-step method for legal scholars. With a nod to the importance of technology assessment, he emphasizes the need for balance between innovation and regulation.