IGF 2019 WS #294 Accountability Mechanisms and Next Generation Technologies
Organizer 1: Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 1: Kamberi Arvin, Civil Society, Eastern European Group
Speaker 2: Hanane Boujemi, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 3: Renata Aquino Ribeiro, ,
1) What are the pillars of an accountability framework companies should abide by?
2) How to build a system of values to ensure emerging tech complement policy processes and users’ rights and is it sufficient??
3) Define the main challenge to deploying a standard accountability mechanism of data driven tech companies?
Relevance to Theme: The concept of accountability is central to deploying emerging technologies. The current trend suggests that there is a disconnect between these technologies, their use and the policies that should frame them. On the other hand, identifying their impact is inherent to reinforcing accountability mechanisms to define the obligations of the companies who own or control them.This is the only route to ensure users' rights protection is integral to technological innovation linked to economic development. This framing relates to the theme of data governance specifically the policy challenges of how emerging technologies revolutionise data to contribute to an inclusive economic development but still lag in protecting the rights of people. The session will contribute to identifying best approaches to ensure the development of human-centric data governance frameworks at national, regional and international levels.
Relevance to Internet Governance: This session is aligned with the definition of Internet Governance since it tackles the policies applicable to emerging technologies and how they potentially affect users' rights. This combination requires interaction among the three stakeholders: the private sector as the incubator of emerging tech, the government as the body responsible for developing policy and civil society as a safeguarding party of public interest.
Birds of a Feather - Classroom - 30 Min
Description: This session builds on a lightening session tackling 'emerging technologies and rights future' organised at IGF Paris 2018. the main outcome placed the accountability discussion at the heart of the issue of how data driven tech companies and their products affect users' rights. The session will start by framing the discussion to focus on the importance of setting up an accountability mechanism that tech companies ought to comply with before handing the floor to the speakers to elaborate alternatively on the three specified policy questions on: the pillars of an accountability framework, how to build a system of values and defining the main challenge to deploying a standard accountability mechanism. The interaction with audience on the same questions will form the outcome by providing concrete suggestions on the feasibility of implementing policies that can influence a robust accountability mechanism. This latter can be adopted by tech companies while developing their technology. An accountability mechanism could also inform tech companies on how to set up a system of values taking into account the challenges than can stand against making it a reality.
The session will wrap up by consolidating feedback on any other pending aspects that we could develop in future sessions.
Expected Outcomes: 1)Common understanding and defining the pillars of accountability in the digital age
2)The main criteria of a system of values, policy considerations, and how users can be involved in technological development and policy processes to influence decisions in both fora
3)Crystalise standardising accountability concept and explore options to the main challenges to deploy it
2 min Moderator introduction & setting the scene
5 min contributor 1
5 min contributor 2
5 min Interaction with the audience
8 min Q&A Session and wrap up
Usage of IGF Tool
GOAL 4: Quality Education
GOAL 5: Gender Equality
GOAL 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
GOAL 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
GOAL 10: Reduced Inequalities