The Sunday Show

Inga K. Trauthig, an expert in encrypted messaging and political manipulation, joins Mariana Olaizola Rosenblat, a technology and law policy advisor. They share insights on how political actors exploit encrypted platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram for voter manipulation. The discussion highlights the complexities of balancing election integrity with user privacy, while addressing innovative tactics used by propagandists. They suggest improvements for user reporting systems that preserve anonymity and delve into the future challenges posed by generative AI in messaging apps.

Allie Funk and Kian Vesteinsson from Freedom House share their insights on the troubling decline of internet freedom for 14 consecutive years, emphasizing the adverse effects on democracy. They discuss the stark contrast between oppressive regimes and more democratic nations regarding internet controls during elections. The guests highlight the role of generative AI in political campaigns, its potential harms, and regulatory challenges. They also address global variations in internet freedom, including harsh crackdowns in Kyrgyzstan versus protections in Chile.

Brandi Gerkink, the Director of the Coalition for Independent Tech Research, discusses the profound impact of CrowdTangle's shutdown on journalists and researchers. She highlights the emotional toll of losing a key tool for social media insights. The conversation reveals frustrations over accessing data from social media companies, stifling research and journalistic efforts. Gerkink also addresses algorithmic transparency, exploring how recent regulations may offer a glimmer of hope. Ultimately, the discussion underscores the pressing need for collective action to advocate for data accessibility.

Barry Lynn, executive director of the Open Markets Institute and author of a thought-provoking Harper's essay, dives into the complexities of antitrust in our digital age. He discusses the historical parallels between monarchies and modern tech monopolies, shedding light on the importance of protecting democracy. Lynn critiques past neoliberal policies and emphasizes the Biden administration's shift towards equitable competition. Engagingly, he explores the latest developments in the Google antitrust case and anticipates the future of antitrust in the face of the 2024 presidential election.

Sam Jeffers, cofounder of Who Targets Me, discusses the pressing need for transparency in online political advertising. He highlights the projected $3.5 billion surge in digital ad spending for the upcoming U.S. elections and the tools designed to track campaign strategies. The conversation delves into systemic risks posed by online ads, the contrasting approaches of the Trump campaign and Democrats, and the ethical challenges of targeted messaging, especially among Latino audiences. Jeffers advocates for improved regulations to safeguard democracy in the digital age.

Jeff Horwitz, a Wall Street Journal technology reporter, teams up with Raúl Torrez, New Mexico's Attorney General, to delve into a pressing legal challenge against Snap Inc. They discuss allegations that Snapchat's features may facilitate child exploitation and the company's lackluster safety measures. The conversation highlights the critical legal and ethical dilemmas surrounding sextortion among minors, and reveals innovative initiatives like Operation Metaphile aimed at enhancing online safety. Together, they call for stronger accountability from tech companies.

Gabby Miller, a staff writer at Tech Policy Press, leads a discussion with Jason Pielemeier, executive director of the Global Network Initiative; David Sullivan, executive director of the Digital Trust & Safety Partnership; and Chantal Joris, senior legal officer at Article 19. They dive into Europe's Digital Services Act, focusing on systemic risk related to illegal content. Insightful debates unfold about compliance best practices, transparency challenges, and the need for effective risk assessments that protect fundamental rights in the digital landscape.

Arvind Narayanan, a Princeton computer science professor, and Sayash Kapoor, a PhD candidate, dive into the misconceptions surrounding AI in their discussion on their book. They explore the origins of 'snake oil' in AI claims, stressing the importance of human oversight in content moderation challenges. The duo also tackles the misinformation crisis, emphasizing that a loss of trust in media is at its core. Their insights encourage optimism and highlight corporate responsibilities to address the societal impacts of AI technology.

The Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) recently assessed social media platforms’ policies, public commitments, and product interventions related to election integrity across six major issue areas: platform integrity, violent extremism and hate speech, internal and external resourcing, transparency, political advertising and state-affiliated media. Justin Hendrix spoke to two of the report's authors: ISD's Director of Technology & Society, Isabelle Frances-Wright, and its Senior US digital Policy Manager, Ellen Jacobs. ISD's assessment included Snap, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and X.

Join Marietje Schaake, author of *The Tech Coup*, Dr. Alondra Nelson, a distinguished professor and former Biden advisor, and Nobel laureate Maria Ressa as they tackle the urgent issues surrounding technology's threat to democracy. They discuss the concept of the 'tech coup' and its implications for disinformation and governance. Schaake shares her insights from a blockchain summit, highlighting the need for regulation. The conversation also covers tech policy during election season and the complex dynamics of India's tech landscape, emphasizing the need for accountability in tech governance.