Re: [nexa] Fwd: RMS available to speak in Italy

[Michele Orrù]

Marco, grazie mille!

Capisco benissimo per il modesto compenso, rispondo in inglese cosicché
possa inoltrare facilmente ai tuoi contatti e mi scuso per il ritardo!

We can provide a flight MXP - OLB for the 15th May through easyjet (U2 2909)
and have one of our colleagues (Graziano M.) pick RMS up at the airport,
with flight back on the 18th May (U2 2908). Flight is about 1hour.
We can host RMS in a hotel in the Supramonte area that in the past hosted
artists. Our budget is about 400EUR total, excluding accommodation.

-- 
Michele.

On Fri, Apr 15, 2022 at 7:01 PM M. Fioretti  wrote:

> On Fri, Apr 15, 2022 11:43:03 AM +0200, Michele Orrù wrote:
>
> > A me piacerebbe invitarlo nel supramonte di Orgosolo verso metà
> > maggio! Pensate di potercelo mandare?
>
> Buonasera Michele,
>
> Grazie per la domanda, ma non dipende affatto da me. Io ho solo
> inoltrato un messaggio che mi hanno chiesto di far circolare, ma non
> sono e non saro' coinvolto in alcun modo nel tour europeo di
> RMS. Tieni presente che per venire ha bisogno (credo dipenda dal fatto
> che non e' piu' presidente FSF, con relativi "benefit" o stipendio
> base) di rimborso spese e "modesto compenso" da parte di chi lo
> invita. Il messaggio completo originale che ho ricevuto dice:
>
> > Do you know anyone who would like to book him, and pay for modest
> > travel costs and an honorarium? He'll be in Italy, but is willing to
> > travel further.
>
> Immagino che nel tuo caso questo significhi vitto e alloggio in loco,
> piu' viaggio a/r da Milano o Roma in Sardegna, piu' "honorarium", che
> non ho idea quanto significhi. Magari e' a offerta libera, ma ne so
> quanto te. Quindi decidi tu, se avete budget e interesse per pagare
> questi costi, fammi sapere e ti mettero' in contatto diretto con
> l'amico di RMS che mi ha scritto, e poi usciro' di scena. Se non
> potete, nessun problema, come dicevo sono solo un messaggero :-)
>
> Marco
> --
> Help me write my NEXT MILLION WORDS for digital awareness:
> https://stop.zona-m.net/2021/10/funding-2021-2022/
>
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Re: [nexa] RMS available to speak in Italy

[M. Fioretti]

Hi Michele and Andy,

Michele, Andy Oram is the former editor at O'Reilly, with a long
record of FOSS advocacy: http://praxagora.com/, who asked me whether I
knew someone interested in RMS talks in Italy

Andy, Michele Orrù is a post-doc researcher from Sardinia,now at
Berkeley: https://tumbolandia.net/

This is what Michele answered when I passed your request around:

> We can provide a flight MXP - OLB for the 15th May through easyjet (U2 2909)
> and have one of our colleagues (Graziano M.) pick RMS up at the airport, with
> flight back on the 18th May (U2 2908). Flight is about 1hour.
> We can host RMS in a hotel in the Supramonte area that in the past hosted
> artists. Our budget is about 400EUR total, excluding accommodation.

I leave the discussion to you now, and of course will forward further
proposals to Andy if they come. Have fun!

 Marco
-- 
Help me write my NEXT MILLION WORDS for digital awareness:
https://stop.zona-m.net/2021/10/funding-2021-2022/
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[nexa] ‘Democracy will wither’: Barack Obama outlines perils of unregulated big tech in sweeping speech | Barack Obama | The Guardian

[Alberto Cammozzo via nexa]

Technology companies must be reined in to address the “weakening of democratic 
institutions around the world”, Barack Obama said Thursday, in a sweeping 
keynote speech on the perils of disinformation.

Speaking at Stanford University in Silicon Valley, the former president made 
his most extensive remarks yet about the technology landscape, which he said is 
“turbo-charging some of humanity’s worst impulses”.
Barack and Michelle Obama to end exclusive podcasting deal with Spotify, 
reports say
Read more

“One of the biggest reasons for the weakening of democracy is the profound 
change that’s taken place in how we communicate and consume information,” he 
said.

The address came as Obama has increasingly focused his post-presidential 
messaging on misinformation and what should be done about the largely unchecked 
power wielded by big tech. On Thursday, he solidified those calls, endorsing 
specific legislation.

“Do we allow our democracy to wither, or do we make it better?” Obama asked. 
“That is the choice.”
‘People are dying because of disinformation’

Obama’s speech called attention to the grave impacts of disinformation and 
misinformation – including manipulation of the 2016 and 2020 elections and the 
rise of anti-vaccination sentiments.

He was candid about regrets he had surrounding Donald Trump’s election, saying 
his administration had long known that Russia had incentive to manipulate US 
democracy but he underestimated the effectiveness of the efforts.

“What still nags at me is my failure to appreciate at the time just how 
susceptible we had become to lies and conspiracy theories,” Obama said.

A Senate panel report in 2020 found conclusively that Russia had interfered in 
the 2016 elections to sway votes in favor of Trump, echoing findings from a 
prior report published by the Department of Justice.

In addition to impacting the results of those elections, disinformation and 
misinformation has also caused many Americans to reject the results of 
democratically sound elections, Obama said – noting that the majority of 
Republicans doubt the legitimacy of Biden’s 2020 win.

Much of these issues can be attributed to a decline in media literacy, the 
erosion of local news sources, and an “information overload” as we come into 
contact with limitless content each day.

“The sheer proliferation of conflict and the splintering of information and 
audiences has made democracy more complicated,” Obama said.
‘Need another north star’

Obama took aim at the business models at the heart of big tech firms, noting 
that “inflammatory content attracts engagement” and that “the veil of anonymity 
platforms provide” make it easier to spread misinformation.

He said while rising industry standards are helpful, solid regulation is needed 
to address social media companies’ business models and the way they design 
their products.

“These companies need to have some other north star other than just making 
money and increasing market share,” Obama said.

In particular, Obama addressed the frequent refrain of tech companies that 
their algorithms are proprietary business secrets, saying they have become “too 
guarded” and “need to be subject to some level of public oversight and 
regulation”.

To do so, Obama endorsed the Platform Accountability and Transparency Act, a 
bill introduced by US Senators Chris Coons, Amy Klobuchar and Rob Portman that 
would require social media companies to share certain platform data and allow 
vetting from independent researchers.

He also called for reform of Section 230, a law that shields platforms from 
legal liability for content posted on their sites, saying that “wholesale 
repeal is not the answer” but “we need to consider reforms” to the measure.

“As the world’s leading democracy, we have to set a better example. We should 
be at the lead on these discussions internationally, not in the rear.”
‘Yes we can’ for the age of disinformation

Despite dire warnings about the imminent crumbling of democracy under the 
disinformation epidemic, Obama called for a return to the hope present in the 
early days of big tech.

“Today’s social media has a grimness to it,” he said. “We’re so fatalistic 
about the steady stream of bile and vitriol that’s on there. But it doesn’t 
have to be that way. In fact, if we’re going to succeed, it can’t be that way.”

Obama’s tone harkens back to an age of tech before the 2016 elections shook the 
world’s faith in companies like Facebook. His own presidency took place at a 
time when social media was still thought of as a force for good – stoking 
democratic revolutions like the Arab Spring.

His election in 2008 is also largely thought of as one of the first to be 
fueled by grassroots social media campaigns – with supporters of Obama having 
been significantly more engaged online than those of McCain. Obama said at the 
time there was “a certain joy of finding

[nexa] CFP: Special Issue on Cyber(in)security || Review of Digital Politics

[Mauro SANTANIELLO]

Dear colleagues,

A new call for papers has been issued by the Review of Digital Politics for
a special issue on
cyber(in)security.

This issue will investigate the political dimension of cybersecurity,
including public policy
making, relationships between public institutions and private actors,
political controversies
emerging in different national contexts, and the processes of negotiation,
cooperation and
conflict resolution occurring in international arenas as well as in
multistakeholder global fora.

Articles may be written in English or Italian.

The full call for papers is available at:
https://www.digitalpolitics.it/call-for-paper-n6/#cfp3-english

Further information about the Review of Digital Politics is available at:
https://www.digitalpolitics.it/rivista/#en

*Key dates:*
Abstract submission deadline: 19 May 2022
Notification of acceptance: 26 May 2022
Full contribution deadline: 1 October 2022

We look forward to receiving your submissions.
Best wishes,

Mauro Santaniello (PhD)

*Professor, Internet Governance and Digital PolicyDirector, Internet &
Communication Policy Centre (ICPC)*
*Scientific Coordinator, Salerno Winter School on Internet Governance
(SWING)*

*Department of Business, Management and Information Systems *
*Università degli Studi di Salerno *
*Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132 84084 Fisciano (SA) - Italy *

*E. msantanie...@unisa.it  *
*W. http://docenti.unisa.it/mauro.santaniello
*
*Skype: internetpolicy *
*T. twitter.com/webvoodoo *

*Recent publications*

M.Santaniello (2021) "From Governance Denial to State Regulation: A
Controversy-Based Typology of Internet Governance Models." In Haggart B.,
Tusikov N., Scholte J.A. (eds.) *Power and Authority in Internet
Governance. Return of the State? *Routledge.

N.Palladino, M.Santaniello (2021).* Legitimacy, Power, and Inequalities in
the Multistakeholder Internet Governance. **Analyzing IANA
Transition*. Palgrave
Macmillan.

*Pubblicazioni recenti in italiano*

M. Santaniello (2021) "Fortezza Internet. L’incastellamento del cyberspazio
e il regime feudale della cyber security." In Amoretti F.* Per una cultura
della sicurezza democratica* Pag.131-148 Soveria Mannelli Rubbettino.

F. Amoretti, M. Santaniello (2021) "Sovranità (con)tese. Le digital
corporation nello spazio pubblico globale." In F.Tuccari; G. Borgognone *La
sovranità* Pag.175-194

M. Santaniello (2021) "Sunburst. La grande eclissi della cybersecurity Usa."
*Rivista di Digital Politics*. Vol. 1/2021. Pag.179-194.

F. Amoretti, M. Santaniello (2021), "Partecipazione politica e opinione
pubblica online in tempo di crisi." *Iride* Vol. 92. Pag.57-67.

F. Amoretti, R. Fittipaldi, M. Santaniello (2021), "Poteri monocratici e
comunicazione politica ai tempi della pandemia. Dal governo Conte II al
governo Draghi". *Comunicazione politica, n. *3/2021, pp. 333-356.
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[nexa] lettera dell'EDRi ai membri del Parlamento Europeo sulla proposta di riforma dell'Europol

[Enrico Nardelli]

This is an email template created by European Digital Rights (EDRi) and relates 
to the upcoming vote on the new Europol Regulation in the European Parliament’s 
plenary.

The vote will take place between 2 and 5 May 2022, most probably on 3 May 
afternoon. Ideally you would send this email during the two weeks before: 18 
April-2 May.

The main message of this email is to ask for the rejection of the entire text 
as the reform aims at expanding the law enforcement agency’s powers without any 
accountability and with as little fundamental rights safeguards as possible. We 
have included a list of resources at the end of this document should you want 
to explore the topic further.

The email template is designed in a way that you can pick and choose the 
paragraphs that are most relevant to your organisation’s missions and that you 
would want to stress in particular. Feel free to adapt any wording in these 
optional paragraphs to better match your usual framing. However the main 
message (the parts in blue) should ideally remain the same.

...

(continua nel documento allegato)


-- EN

=
Prof. Enrico Nardelli
Presidente di "Informatics Europe"
Direttore del Laboratorio Nazionale "Informatica e Scuola" del CINI
Dipartimento di Matematica - Università di Roma "Tor Vergata"
Via della Ricerca Scientifica snc - 00133 Roma
home page: http://www.mat.uniroma2.it/~nardelli
blog: http://link-and-think.blogspot.it/
tel: +39 06 7259.4204fax: +39 06 7259.4699
mobile: +39 335 590.2331 e-mail: narde...@mat.uniroma2.it
online meeting: https://blue.meet.garr.it/b/enr-y7f-t0q-ont
=
--

Email template - Europol vote.odt
Description: application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.text
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[nexa] lettera dell'EDRi ai membri del Parlamento Europeo sulla proposta di riforma dell'Europol

[maurizio lana]

caro Enrico, nella lettera allegata la prima riga recita:
We the undersigned civil society organisations ... 

la cosa è vincolante, quindi chi non è un'organizzazione non può scrivere?
parrebbe di sì, perché in più punti introduttivi si parla di 
organizzazioni, e di possibilità di modifiche solo alle parti opzionali

Maurizio

Il 22/04/22 11:43, Enrico Nardelli  ha scritto:

Date: Fri, 22 Apr 2022 11:43:11 +0200
From: Enrico Nardelli 
To: Nexa 
Subject: [nexa] lettera dell'EDRi ai membri del Parlamento Europeo sulla 
proposta di riforma dell'Europol

This is an email template created by European Digital Rights (EDRi) and relates 
to the upcoming vote on the new Europol Regulation in the European Parliament’s 
plenary.

The vote will take place between 2 and 5 May 2022, most probably on 3 May 
afternoon. Ideally you would send this email during the two weeks before: 18 
April-2 May.

The main message of this email is to ask for the rejection of the entire text 
as the reform aims at expanding the law enforcement agency’s powers without any 
accountability and with as little fundamental rights safeguards as possible. We 
have included a list of resources at the end of this document should you want 
to explore the topic further.

The email template is designed in a way that you can pick and choose the 
paragraphs that are most relevant to your organisation’s missions and that you 
would want to stress in particular. Feel free to adapt any wording in these 
optional paragraphs to better match your usual framing. However the main 
message (the parts in blue) should ideally remain the same.

...





|mural of Giulio Regeni in Mohammed Mahmoud Street, Cairo
the source is 
https://alwafd.news/images/thumbs/752/new/027f918bb62bf148193d5920ca67ded7.jpg
the meaning of the place 
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-20395260|


Maurizio Lana
Dipartimento di Studi Umanistici
Università del Piemonte Orientale
piazza Roma 36 - 13100 Vercelli
tel. +39 347 7370925
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[nexa] Nuovo libro: "Concealing for Freedom"

[Francesca Musiani]

Care colleghe e cari colleghi,

Sono felice di annunciare la pubblicazione del mio libro con Ksenia
Ermoshina, "Concealing for Freedom: The Making of Encryption, Secure
Messaging and Digital Liberties" (Mattering Press, aprile 2022, con
prefazione di Laura DeNardis).

Il libro è pubblicato in open access ed è disponibile qui in vari formati
digitali:
https://www.matteringpress.org/books/concealing-for-freedom
Vi preghiamo tuttavia di considerare l'acquisto una copia cartacea se
potete (o se puo' farlo la vostra biblioteca di riferimento!), aiuterà
Mattering Press a prosperare.

La pubblicazione è accompagnata da un blog post che riflette sul rapporto
di fenomeni ed eventi descritti nel libro con l'attualità:
https://www.matteringpress.org/blog/encryption-and-technologies-of-power-in-a-cyber-war-torn-world

Grazie a tutti/e coloro che ci hanno supportato durante questa ricerca e
durante la scrittura, e in anticipo a tutti/e coloro che considerano la
lettura e/o l'acquisto del libro.

Cari saluti,
Francesca


-- 
Francesca Musiani, Ph.D.

Chargée de recherche | Associate Research Professor, CNRS

Directrice adjointe | Deputy Director, Centre for Internet and Society
 (UPR 2000 & GDR 2091 CNRS)
Chercheuse associée | Associate Researcher, i3-CSI
, MINES ParisTech
Global Fellow, Internet Governance Lab ,
American University

I'm involved in: CPT-IAMCR  | Internet
Policy Review  | RESET
 | ISOC France
 | ResisTIC 

On the Web  | On Twitter

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Re: [nexa] lettera dell'EDRi ai membri del Parlamento Europeo sulla proposta di riforma dell'Europol

[Enrico Nardelli]

Ho chiesto e mi hanno detto che la possono inviare anche i singoli cambiando 
ovviamente le parti necessarie

-- sent from mobile, please forgive typos and conciseness
===
Prof. Enrico Nardelli
Univ. Roma Tor Vergata
===

> Il giorno 22 apr 2022, alle ore 12:04, maurizio lana 
>  ha scritto:
> 
> caro Enrico, nella lettera allegata la prima riga recita:
>> We the undersigned civil society organisations ... 
> la cosa è vincolante, quindi chi non è un'organizzazione non può scrivere?
> parrebbe di sì, perché in più punti introduttivi si parla di organizzazioni, 
> e di possibilità di modifiche solo alle parti opzionali
> Maurizio
> 
> Il 22/04/22 11:43, Enrico Nardelli  ha scritto:
>> Date: Fri, 22 Apr 2022 11:43:11 +0200
>> From: Enrico Nardelli 
>> To: Nexa 
>> Subject: [nexa] lettera dell'EDRi ai membri del Parlamento Europeo sulla 
>> proposta di riforma dell'Europol
>> 
>> This is an email template created by European Digital Rights (EDRi) and 
>> relates to the upcoming vote on the new Europol Regulation in the European 
>> Parliament’s plenary.
>> 
>> The vote will take place between 2 and 5 May 2022, most probably on 3 May 
>> afternoon. Ideally you would send this email during the two weeks before: 18 
>> April-2 May.
>> 
>> The main message of this email is to ask for the rejection of the entire 
>> text as the reform aims at expanding the law enforcement agency’s powers 
>> without any accountability and with as little fundamental rights safeguards 
>> as possible. We have included a list of resources at the end of this 
>> document should you want to explore the topic further.
>> 
>> The email template is designed in a way that you can pick and choose the 
>> paragraphs that are most relevant to your organisation’s missions and that 
>> you would want to stress in particular. Feel free to adapt any wording in 
>> these optional paragraphs to better match your usual framing. However the 
>> main message (the parts in blue) should ideally remain the same.
>> 
>> ...
> 
> 
> 
> 
> |mural of Giulio Regeni in Mohammed Mahmoud Street, Cairo
> the source is 
> https://alwafd.news/images/thumbs/752/new/027f918bb62bf148193d5920ca67ded7.jpg
> the meaning of the place https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-20395260|
> 
> Maurizio Lana
> Dipartimento di Studi Umanistici
> Università del Piemonte Orientale
> piazza Roma 36 - 13100 Vercelli
> tel. +39 347 7370925
> ___
> nexa mailing list
> nexa@server-nexa.polito.it
> https://server-nexa.polito.it/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/nexa
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Re: [nexa] ‘Democracy will wither’: Barack Obama outlines perils of unregulated big tech in sweeping speech | Barack Obama | The Guardian

[Maurizio Borghi]

Una reazione a caldo: il discorso mi sembra un capolavoro di doppiezza e
ipocrisia, che suggella il patto del diavolo tra democratici americani e
big tech. Con la scusa del terrapiattismo e della "disinformazione che
uccide" (non bastavano le "fake news") si chiudono sempre più gli spazi di
critica e dissenso, oltre che le voci degli avversari politici. In cambio,
si farà chiudere un occhio, anzi due, all'antitrust e agli altri regolatori
pubblici che ultimamente hanno alzato un po' troppo la cresta.

Buon 25 Aprile a tutti,

MB


Il giorno ven 22 apr 2022 alle ore 09:57 Alberto Cammozzo via nexa <
nexa@server-nexa.polito.it> ha scritto:

> <
> https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/apr/21/obama-stanford-speech-big-tech
> >
>
> Technology companies must be reined in to address the “weakening of
> democratic institutions around the world”, Barack Obama said Thursday, in a
> sweeping keynote speech on the perils of disinformation.
>
> Speaking at Stanford University in Silicon Valley, the former president
> made his most extensive remarks yet about the technology landscape, which
> he said is “turbo-charging some of humanity’s worst impulses”.
> Barack and Michelle Obama to end exclusive podcasting deal with Spotify,
> reports say
> Read more
>
> “One of the biggest reasons for the weakening of democracy is the profound
> change that’s taken place in how we communicate and consume information,”
> he said.
>
> The address came as Obama has increasingly focused his post-presidential
> messaging on misinformation and what should be done about the largely
> unchecked power wielded by big tech. On Thursday, he solidified those
> calls, endorsing specific legislation.
>
> “Do we allow our democracy to wither, or do we make it better?” Obama
> asked. “That is the choice.”
> ‘People are dying because of disinformation’
>
> Obama’s speech called attention to the grave impacts of disinformation and
> misinformation – including manipulation of the 2016 and 2020 elections and
> the rise of anti-vaccination sentiments.
>
> He was candid about regrets he had surrounding Donald Trump’s election,
> saying his administration had long known that Russia had incentive to
> manipulate US democracy but he underestimated the effectiveness of the
> efforts.
>
> “What still nags at me is my failure to appreciate at the time just how
> susceptible we had become to lies and conspiracy theories,” Obama said.
>
> A Senate panel report in 2020 found conclusively that Russia had
> interfered in the 2016 elections to sway votes in favor of Trump, echoing
> findings from a prior report published by the Department of Justice.
>
> In addition to impacting the results of those elections, disinformation
> and misinformation has also caused many Americans to reject the results of
> democratically sound elections, Obama said – noting that the majority of
> Republicans doubt the legitimacy of Biden’s 2020 win.
>
> Much of these issues can be attributed to a decline in media literacy, the
> erosion of local news sources, and an “information overload” as we come
> into contact with limitless content each day.
>
> “The sheer proliferation of conflict and the splintering of information
> and audiences has made democracy more complicated,” Obama said.
> ‘Need another north star’
>
> Obama took aim at the business models at the heart of big tech firms,
> noting that “inflammatory content attracts engagement” and that “the veil
> of anonymity platforms provide” make it easier to spread misinformation.
>
> He said while rising industry standards are helpful, solid regulation is
> needed to address social media companies’ business models and the way they
> design their products.
>
> “These companies need to have some other north star other than just making
> money and increasing market share,” Obama said.
>
> In particular, Obama addressed the frequent refrain of tech companies that
> their algorithms are proprietary business secrets, saying they have become
> “too guarded” and “need to be subject to some level of public oversight and
> regulation”.
>
> To do so, Obama endorsed the Platform Accountability and Transparency Act,
> a bill introduced by US Senators Chris Coons, Amy Klobuchar and Rob Portman
> that would require social media companies to share certain platform data
> and allow vetting from independent researchers.
>
> He also called for reform of Section 230, a law that shields platforms
> from legal liability for content posted on their sites, saying that
> “wholesale repeal is not the answer” but “we need to consider reforms” to
> the measure.
>
> “As the world’s leading democracy, we have to set a better example. We
> should be at the lead on these discussions internationally, not in the
> rear.”
> ‘Yes we can’ for the age of disinformation
>
> Despite dire warnings about the imminent crumbling of democracy under the
> disinformation epidemic, Obama called for a return to the hope present in
> the early days of big tech.
>
> “Today’s socia

Re: [nexa] ‘Democracy will wither’: Barack Obama outlines perils of unregulated big tech in sweeping speech | Barack Obama | The Guardian

[fabio chiusi via nexa]

 Qui la trascrizione del discorso integrale: 
https://techpolicy.press/transcript-barack-obama-speech-on-technology-and-democracy/
Buon w/e a tutti
f.
Il venerdì 22 aprile 2022, 19:18:49 CEST, Maurizio Borghi 
 ha scritto:  
 
 Una reazione a caldo: il discorso mi sembra un capolavoro di doppiezza e 
ipocrisia, che suggella il patto del diavolo tra democratici americani e big 
tech. Con la scusa del terrapiattismo e della "disinformazione che uccide" (non 
bastavano le "fake news") si chiudono sempre più gli spazi di critica e 
dissenso, oltre che le voci degli avversari politici. In cambio, si farà 
chiudere un occhio, anzi due, all'antitrust e agli altri regolatori pubblici 
che ultimamente hanno alzato un po' troppo la cresta.
Buon 25 Aprile a tutti,

MB


Il giorno ven 22 apr 2022 alle ore 09:57 Alberto Cammozzo via nexa 
 ha scritto:



Technology companies must be reined in to address the “weakening of democratic 
institutions around the world”, Barack Obama said Thursday, in a sweeping 
keynote speech on the perils of disinformation.

Speaking at Stanford University in Silicon Valley, the former president made 
his most extensive remarks yet about the technology landscape, which he said is 
“turbo-charging some of humanity’s worst impulses”.
Barack and Michelle Obama to end exclusive podcasting deal with Spotify, 
reports say
Read more

“One of the biggest reasons for the weakening of democracy is the profound 
change that’s taken place in how we communicate and consume information,” he 
said.

The address came as Obama has increasingly focused his post-presidential 
messaging on misinformation and what should be done about the largely unchecked 
power wielded by big tech. On Thursday, he solidified those calls, endorsing 
specific legislation.

“Do we allow our democracy to wither, or do we make it better?” Obama asked. 
“That is the choice.”
‘People are dying because of disinformation’

Obama’s speech called attention to the grave impacts of disinformation and 
misinformation – including manipulation of the 2016 and 2020 elections and the 
rise of anti-vaccination sentiments.

He was candid about regrets he had surrounding Donald Trump’s election, saying 
his administration had long known that Russia had incentive to manipulate US 
democracy but he underestimated the effectiveness of the efforts.

“What still nags at me is my failure to appreciate at the time just how 
susceptible we had become to lies and conspiracy theories,” Obama said.

A Senate panel report in 2020 found conclusively that Russia had interfered in 
the 2016 elections to sway votes in favor of Trump, echoing findings from a 
prior report published by the Department of Justice.

In addition to impacting the results of those elections, disinformation and 
misinformation has also caused many Americans to reject the results of 
democratically sound elections, Obama said – noting that the majority of 
Republicans doubt the legitimacy of Biden’s 2020 win.

Much of these issues can be attributed to a decline in media literacy, the 
erosion of local news sources, and an “information overload” as we come into 
contact with limitless content each day.

“The sheer proliferation of conflict and the splintering of information and 
audiences has made democracy more complicated,” Obama said.
‘Need another north star’

Obama took aim at the business models at the heart of big tech firms, noting 
that “inflammatory content attracts engagement” and that “the veil of anonymity 
platforms provide” make it easier to spread misinformation.

He said while rising industry standards are helpful, solid regulation is needed 
to address social media companies’ business models and the way they design 
their products.

“These companies need to have some other north star other than just making 
money and increasing market share,” Obama said.

In particular, Obama addressed the frequent refrain of tech companies that 
their algorithms are proprietary business secrets, saying they have become “too 
guarded” and “need to be subject to some level of public oversight and 
regulation”.

To do so, Obama endorsed the Platform Accountability and Transparency Act, a 
bill introduced by US Senators Chris Coons, Amy Klobuchar and Rob Portman that 
would require social media companies to share certain platform data and allow 
vetting from independent researchers.

He also called for reform of Section 230, a law that shields platforms from 
legal liability for content posted on their sites, saying that “wholesale 
repeal is not the answer” but “we need to consider reforms” to the measure.

“As the world’s leading democracy, we have to set a better example. We should 
be at the lead on these discussions internationally, not in the rear.”
‘Yes we can’ for the age of disinformation

Despite dire warnings about the imminent crumbling of democracy under the 
disinformation epidemic, Obama calle

Re: [nexa] ‘Democracy will wither’: Barack Obama outlines perils of unregulated big tech in sweeping speech | Barack Obama | The Guardian

[Alberto Cammozzo via nexa]

Grazie per il link al discorso integrale, per il quale condivido la 
delusione di Maurizio Borghi.


Questo passaggio mi ha colpito:

   We do expect these companies to affirm the importance of our
   democratic institutions, not dismiss them, and to work to find the
   right combination of regulation and industry standards that will
   make democracy stronger. And because companies recognize the often
   dangerous relationship between social media, nationalism, domestic
   hate groups, they do need to engage with vulnerable populations
   about how to put better safeguards in place to protect minority
   populations, ethnic populations, religious minorities, wherever they
   operate.

   So for example, in the United States, they should be working with,
   not always contrary to, those groups that are trying to prevent
   voter suppression and specifically has targeted black and brown
   communities. In other words, these companies need to have some other
   North Star other than just making money and increasing market share.
   Fix the problem that, in part, they helped create, but also to stand
   for something bigger.

Mi sorprende che un ex-presidente possa dire una serie di cose così 
ingenue, prima tra tutte che le più grosse società per azioni sul 
mercato abbiano una "stella polare" diversa dal "fare solo soldi". 
Condivisibile ma irrealistica, come pretendere che Batman risolva il 
problema.


Un altro presidente -Eisenhower- negli ultimi giorni del suo mandato 
(1961) in un celebre discorso mise in guardia il suo Paese contro il 
nuovo potere insorgente all'epoca, quello 
tecnologico-militare-industriale: in modo molto più lucido di Obama 
puntava i dito sugli stessi fattori di rischio (il "disastroso aumento 
di potere mal riposto" e di "influenza non autorizzata") e sui rischi 
derivanti per "la libertà e i processi democratici".


Obama invece distoglie la sua attenzione dalle compagnie e la dirige 
sugli individui: invita gli studenti di Stanford di "votare coi piedi" 
per spingere le compagnie a "fare la cosa giusta" e i cittadini ad 
essere "migliori consumatori di notizie", ma non menziona l'enorme 
problema della concentrazione di potere e denaro che impedisce 
esattamente di fare queste cose: quella influenza totale, economica, 
politica e perfino spirituale di cui invece parla Eisenhower [1].


Esattamente la stessa postura ipocrita che carica consumatori e 
cittadini di responsabilità per la crisi ambientale, declinando 
minuziosamente i loro comportamenti più o meno ecologici o quelli che 
mettono a rischio la propria salute, mentre scagiona (per omissione) le 
macroscopiche responsabilità dei principali attori industriali, ai quali 
ci si può limitare di raccomandare di "guardare oltre al denaro".


Ciao,

Alberto


[1]  Public 
Papers of the Presidents, Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1960, p. 1035- 1040


   [...] This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a
   large arms industry is new in the American experience. The total
   influence -- economic, political, even spiritual -- is felt in every
   city, every State house, every office of the Federal government. We
   recognize the imperative need for this development. Yet we must not
   fail to comprehend its grave implications. Our toil, resources and
   livelihood are all involved; so is the very structure of our society.

   In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition
   of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the
   militaryindustrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of
   misplaced power exists and will persist.

   We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our
   liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for
   granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the
   proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of
   defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and
   liberty may prosper together.

   Akin to, and largely responsible for the sweeping changes in our
   industrial-military posture, has been the technological revolution
   during recent decades.

   In this revolution, research has become central; it also becomes
   more formalized, complex, and costly. A steadily increasing share is
   conducted for, by, or at the direction of, the Federal government.

   Today, the solitary inventor, tinkering in his shop, has been
   overshadowed by task forces of scientists in laboratories and
   testing fields. In the same fashion, the free university,
   historically the fountainhead of free ideas and scientific
   discovery, has experienced a revolution in the conduct of research.
   Partly because of the huge costs involved, a government contract
   becomes virtually a substitute for intellectual curiosity. For every
   old blackboard there are now hundreds of new electronic computers.

   The prospect of domination of the n