#rebootthenet — Public Fediverse posts

David Souter argues that the absence of international standards for platform regulation allows authoritarians to restrict as they wish, but he adds some qualifications if UNESCO's bid to create relevant principles is to succeed. #commodon #InternetForTrust #RebootTheNet https://www.apc.org/en/blog/inside-digital-society-making-platforms-accountable

So what insights came from a panel organized by Research ICT Africa at the recent UNESCO conference on developing principles for platform regulation? A short news article here: https://researchictafrica.net/2023/02/24/ria-research-enriches-unesco-debates/ #InternetForTrust #RebootTheNet

There should be requirements for independent assessment of metrics in terms of how policy implementation is working and provide for independent monitoring and auditing of policy implementation. Working paper for UNESCO conference https://researchictafrica.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Part-2.pdf
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Platform companies can be compelled to undertake appropriate scenario planning & implement due diligence exercises into the full range of risks anticipated in upcoming trends, and to provide detail on how they will mitigate these through policy and implementation measures.
Working paper for UNESCO conference https://researchictafrica.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Part-2.pdf
#InternetForTrust #RebootTheNet

Statutory authorities should not seek to take over the direct policy formulation nor the ongoing moderation work by the companies themselves, but they can set objectives, policy standards and process benchmarks that apply to solo-, self- and co-regulatory mechanisms which can ensure more effective performance by the platforms themselves.
Working paper for UNESCO conference https://researchictafrica.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Part-2.pdf
#InternetForTrust #RebootTheNet

In regard to mechanisms for policy implementation, there is generally an absence of institutional frameworks for inter-platform co-operation. However, there are increasing reports of inter-company co-operation against influence operations.
Working paper for UNESCO conference https://researchictafrica.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Part-2.pdf
#InternetForTrust #RebootTheNet

Platforms’ weaknesses in implementing their own policies come back to the governance status quo where companies are free to choose if, how and when they might assess their performance, and the range of what should be assessed
Working paper for UNESCO conference https://researchictafrica.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Part-2.pdf
#InternetForTrust #RebootTheNet

Pre- and post- impact assessment is an area of noticeable weakness, with little being done by most companies, and poor transparency amongst the few who do.
Working paper for UNESCO conference https://researchictafrica.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Part-2.pdf
#InternetForTrust #RebootTheNet

A key problem is the problem of companies’ monitoring of their own policy implementation of policy, in which they both set the metrics themselves and do their own evaluation. The result is that monitoring is generally self-serving and patchy.
Working paper for UNESCO conference https://researchictafrica.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Part-2.pdf
#InternetForTrust #RebootTheNet

Platforms elide tensions that arise between curational design & policy objectives. Thus, a major blind spot in regard to their policies is how the company should moderate content violates their terms of service, when business-driven algorithms promote the self-same material in various ways
Working paper for UNESCO conference https://researchictafrica.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Part-2.pdf
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Large platforms like to draw attention to what they are doing in regard to their moderation efforts (human and technical) to enforce their policies. But, they are generally less forthcoming about problems linked to curation. Working paper for UNESCO conference https://researchictafrica.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Part-2.pdf
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UNESCO’s regulatory guidance principles can highlight the beacon of international human rights standards. That could also resonate with the governance of other players in the “tech stack” which can shape particular content / communicators through their gatekeeping powers.
Working paper for UNESCO conference https://researchictafrica.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Part-2.pdf
#InternetForTrust #RebootTheNet

Platforms differ a lot in how they define, recognize & treat expressions such as hate speech, misinfo & disinfo. While pluralism amongst platforms is to be valued, the high degree of heterogeneity also suggests an absence of wider & more fundamental standards that could serve as an overall reference point.
Working paper for UNESCO conference https://researchictafrica.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Part-2.pdf
#InternetForTrust #RebootTheNet

The human rights lacunae in platforms’ policies also mean that many policy sanctions do not optimally provide for proportionality when restricting content. Another consequence is that policies also often fall short in terms of elaboration about their own responsiveness & redress commitments.
Working paper for UNESCO conference https://researchictafrica.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Part-2.pdf
#InternetForTrust #RebootTheNet

OHCHR official Peggy Hicks says Twitter's change to its API offering is a step back, when other companies should have been moving towards openness #InternetForTrust #RebootTheNet

Most regulation we see is flawed, and UNESCO principles should apply to role of govts too, as well as when local laws violate international human rights standards - Ohchr's Peggy Hicks #InternetForTrust #RebootTheNet

Ohchr's Peggy Hicks signals disproportionate spend by platforms on moderation in different languages and countries #InternetForTrust #RebootTheNet

Meta human rights official Miranda Sissons says UNESCO principles on platform regulation should be proportionate and not assume bad motives amongst diverse actors #InternetForTrust #RebootTheNet

Catalina Botero: fixing platforms is not just about engineers but the institutions that just want clicks #InternetForTrust #RebootTheNet

Chris Wylie: platform engineers should have the equivalent of a building code that includes safety by design and human rights by design #InternetForTrust #RebootTheNet

Need to get human rights diligence across the tech stack companies; anonymity has trade-offs where we shd consider especially the needs of the most vulnerable who need this security, says @davidkaye
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Platforms have very long governed themselves in terms of generally respecting (US) copyright law, without need for intervention by special regulators. So, can same scenario of law (and courts) apply to other content considerations? #InternetForTrust #RebootTheNet

These are extractive industries, and they should get safety sorted, but how can they simply be allowed to collect data without restraint? Courtney Radsch #InternetForTrust #RebootTheNet

Regulating Platforms can't be equated to regulating aerospace, the issues aren't purely technical says @davidkaye #InternetForTrust #RebootTheNet

Chris Wylie, still banned from Meta platforms, says he won't appeal to the company's own 'court' ("oversight board") and why wd he want to be on Platforms causing so many problems #RebootTheNet #internetfortrust

We should look at internet for voice, not trust, meaning that restrictions must be exceptional, and under clear rules, legitimate, and necessary & proportional #InternetForTrust #RebootTheNet @davidkaye