Just Numbers

[mozfest-bot]

[ UUID ] b45ac696-8667-4084-af34-1fc6291c8c69

[ Session Name ] Just Numbers [ Primary Space ] Decentralization [ Secondary Space ] Digital Inclusion

[ Submitter's Name ] Nasser Eledroos [ Submitter's Affiliated Organisation ] ACLU, Media Mobilizing Project, Article19, Demand Progress, Media Democracy Fund [ Submitter's Github ] eledroos

[ Additional facilitators ] Di Luong,Pierce Stanley,Paulina Bustos Arellano,Benjamin Dean

What will happen in your session?

Machine learning and face recognition software are being increasingly used by police and law enforcement in the US for surveillance and censorship of political rally participants, civil liberty advocates, and citizens. This is an introduction to how police collect data from citizens through surveillance equipment. Session will discuss how to analyze open records and surveillance data.

Participants will discuss real case studies, like recent case of ACLU obtaining social media data collected by police to track activists online. Participants will work in small groups to develop a community solution to current surveillance tactics. Workshop is intended for both non-technical and technical solutions for fixing bias data collected from predictive policing practices.

What is the goal or outcome of your session?

Participants will learn how to use dataset as a storytelling tool. We want to transform spreadsheets and police records into human stories. Law enforcement agencies are using flawed data as the basis for their algorithmic equations, calculations that are determining who gets arrested or go to prison in America.

Our session will provide participants with 1) increase understanding of surveillance technology is used within neighborhoods across the United States and online, 2) examples of community efforts to combat invasive law enforcement tactics through legislation and advocacy, and 3) tools for documenting and organizing against surveillance and predictive policing practices that encroach our civil liberties, human rights, and Internet privacy.

If your session requires additional materials or electronic equipment, please outline your needs.

Projector, Markerboard/markers.

Time needed

90 mins

[cubicgarden]

Wow nice! Do you need 90mins?

[eledroos]

90 would be lovely! There is quite a lot we could do with that time.

[eledroos]

@cubicgarden Another facilitator to add: Enrique Piraces with Open Technology Institute/Carnegie Mellon University

[eledroos]

@cubicgarden Hi! Could we get an update please? Thanks!

[cubicgarden]

This is a yes - its accepted... but will will need to talk about 90mins

[eledroos]

@cubicgarden Great, thanks! Sure. We're open to other options, if that would be better suited for MozFest. Let me know.

[dvigneshwer]

Hi @eledroos & team,

As MozFest is approaching we require the following information from your end to better support your session in the Decentralization learning forum space. You can get back to us by replying to this issue or emailing us directly, whichever communication channel is convenient to you.

1. Please confirm that you will be able to attend Mozfest 17
2. Provide us a brief outline of your session topics and time estimates
3. Does your session require any additional materials or electronic equipment other than a projector and general office stationery?
4. Please let us know if you want to make any modification to your session proposal

Thank you! Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any queries.

[eledroos]

Hi there @vigneshwerd

Sorry, I've received your emails but have been busy in the planning stages of our workshop. I will have a formal reply by the end of the day on Friday.

Thanks, Nasser

[dvigneshwer]

@eledroos Thanks for the update.