EDRi-gram, 22 September 2021
In this EDRi-gram, we challenge the technical ‘debiasing’ as the main solution to AI-driven structural inequality and call on policymakers to tackle the root causes of the power imbalances caused by the pervasive use of AI systems. We also look at how Big Tech platforms are harming users and join forces with EDRi's member Panoptykon Foundation, along with 49 civil rights organisations, to urge the EU to empower users and ensure effective oversight of algorithms in their amendments to the Digital Services Act.
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If AI is the problem, is debiasing the solution?
The development and deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) in all areas of public life have raised many concerns about the harmful consequences on society, in particular the impact...
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Big Tech platforms are hurting us. 50 organisations urge the EU to #FixAlgorithms
The list of negative consequences of how dominant online platforms shape our experience online is neither short nor trivial. From exploiting users’ vulnerabilities, triggering psychological trauma, depriving people...
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Building a coalition for Digital Dignity
In 2020 EDRi started to build the ‘Digital Dignity Coalition’, a group of organisations and activists active at the EU level dedicated to upholding rights in digital spaces...
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Website blocking: No copyright liability for DNS services!
EDRi's member Society for Civil Rights (GFF) supports the independent DNS resolver Quad9 in a court case against an interim injunction ordering Quad9 to set up network blocks....
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Total surveillance law proposed in Serbia
The public debate on the Draft Law on Internal Affairs has officially introduced into legal procedure provisions for the use of mass biometric surveillance in public spaces in...
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What’s up with WhatsApp encrypted backups
WhatsApp is rolling out an option for users to encrypt their message backups, and that is a big win for user privacy and security. The new feature is...
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Biometric ‘permission to travel’ scheme in Borders Bill will affect tens of millions of people
The attack on the asylum system proposed by the UK government in the Nationality and Borders Bill has provoked outrage. However, the Bill also includes proposals to introduce...
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Register research turned privacy disaster. Epicenter.works nominates Sebastian Kurz for a Big Brother Award
Research is important. Using research as a cover to obtain unchecked access to sensitive official data is not. At the beginning of July, the Austrian chancellor, Sebastian Kurz,...
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Eurodac: Council seeks swift agreement on expanded migrant biometric database
The Slovenian Presidency of the Council is planning to accelerate negotiations on a vast expansion of the Eurodac database, which will hold sensitive data on millions of asylum...
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Digital Dignity Document Pool
Digital technologies can have a profound effect on our societies, but sufficient attention is rarely given to how certain applications differentiate between, target and experiment on communities at...
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Human rights focus missing in the State of the Union 2021 address
On 15 September, the yearly State of the Union 2021 address took place. The address is the event where the European Commission evaluates the preceding year and the...
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Events
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Summit “The future of our digital world”
Covid-19 forced us all to rethink our digital presence. What did we learn about our dependence on online platforms? Who makes the rules of our digital realm? And...
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Fundamental Rights Forum 2021
The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights has launched their call for proposals to host a session at the Fundamental Rights Forum 2021 (RightsForum21). This year they are...
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“Cultural Flow (s) and Mobility in the Age of Media Convergence”
EDRi's member Alternatif Bilişim hopes to come together with you around the following or other themes at the 5th New Media Studies National Congress, which will be held...
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FIfF Conference 2021 – Self-determination in digital spaces
Because you only see those in the light, you can't see those in the dark. Self-determination in digital spaces, Munich, 12.-14. November 2021
Jobs
Digital Freedom Fund | Internal Decolonising Processes Consultancy | Remote | 01.10.2021
EDRi | Policy Adviser | Brussels | 03.10.2021
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The Engine Room | Responsible Data Community Manager consultancy | Remote | 01.10.2021
NOYB | Mid-level and senior lawyers; Full Stack Developer; Legal Trainees | Vienna | various
Ranking Digital Rights | Technology Manager | Remote | until filled
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Wikimedia Foundation | Manager, Trust and Safety, Movement Communications, Movement Advocacy Community Manager & more | Remote | until filled
Mozilla | Media and Graphics Engineering Manager, Senior Project Manager & more | multiple locations | until filled