Countering the Computational Propaganda

[mozfest-bot]

[ UUID ] cf46852d-70c3-49c5-8c97-2580f3982411

[ Session Name ] Countering the Computational Propaganda [ Primary Space ] Decentralization [ Secondary Space ] Open Innovation

[ Submitter's Name ] Piyush Aggarwal [ Submitter's Affiliated Organisation ] Hindustan Times Media Limited [ Submitter's Github ] @mepiyush

What will happen in your session?

As our online life is becoming our real life, internet is becoming vitriolic by people using it for cyberbullying (revenge-porn, google-dorking); spreading hatred/ misinformation/ manipulating public opinion; conversation hijacking (hashtag hijacking); and abuse/ harass people (threats, trolling) especially women or minorities or anyone who doesn’t align with their views or holds the courage to express their opinion. And due to this many people are leaving internet without expressing their views because of fear of reprisal.

I want to propose an interactive session on the above problem we all have faced or know someone who has gone through to discuss/deliberate with other participants the possible counter strategies and to debate the role technology, design, and policy can play to curb this menace.

What is the goal or outcome of your session?

There has been much research on qualitative aspects of the above issue however not much on quantitative aspects, except the work by Computational-Propaganda-Project at Oxford-Internet-Institute among others which points the role bots, sock-puppets, troll armies etc. are playing.

Above problem cannot be solved using the technology alone, we need to combine design thinking and policy framework as well to dig deeper to analyse the parameters involved. The goal of the session is to come up with an outline of possible strategies which can be put in place based on the learnings and experiences of fellow participants which can help in maintaining the civility of the medium and conversation and make the web more accessible, open, safe and secure for everyone.

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

Session proposed is an interactive discussion, so do not need any special electronics or additional materials for the session.

Time needed

60 mins

[dvigneshwer]

@MePiyush thanks for the proposal. I feel the session would be a better fit in the open innovation space. I am curious to learn why you selected decentralization?

Looping in @phillipadsmith

[MePiyush]

@vigneshwerd @phillipadsmith Thanks for the note, don't know how I missed this earlier. I selected decentralization as the primary space for the session to talk about the possibility of building algorithms & AI of the future using the combination of design, policy, and technology which can put in place a system to prevent anyone from gaming them to spread misinformation, abuse, harassment and manipulation to silence others. And to talk about how can we design algorithms to make everyone feel safe on the internet. I also selected open innovation as the secondary space.

[mozfest-bot]

Thank you for taking the time to submit a session to MozFest. Due to the high level of submissions, we’re unable to accept all proposals and unfortunately, your session was not part of the final group.

Thank you for taking the time to submit and we will follow up on email very soon.