IGF 2019 Reports

The discussion started with presentations exploring the role that of communication strategies based on the use of algorithms to distribute content had in the dissemination of disinformation, mainly through social networks platforms, in electoral processes. Both presentations supported the connection between digital platforms and the emergence of an advertising industry that benefits from the spread of disinformation. However, one of the speakers proposed that the evidences on the influence that this strategies played during 2016 presidential election in USA is inconclusive. The open debate brought the social impact of algorithms beyond the issue of electoral processes. As a counterpoint, one participant exposed the influence of different aspects of the political contexts influencing democratic processes. This questioning led the discussion to an important point of disagreement where from one side participants where exposing illegal practices conducted during political campaigns - many of them based on the use of algorithms and the massive collection of personal data -, and from the other, researchers were trying to draw attention to other important elements of the electoral contexts, stating that an unnecessary effort is being made to regulate algorithms.

The discussion unpacked multiple facets of modern work, including technological advances such as automation, and the emergence of digital platforms; preparedness to take advantage of online opportunities; legal protections and rights to ensure that gig workers are treated fairly; and unique challenges faced by women from the Global South in accessing fair work.  Panellists agreed that the benefits of online and gig work were less achievable in the developing world because of disparate determinants to successful gig work when compared with the developed world, including: low Internet and digital skills penetration rates; precariousness in employer-employee relations (legal classification of workers as opposed to service providers, unsafe work, low accountability of platforms, etc.); incongruity between traditional educational offer and modern-work needs (preparing for jobs that have not been invented as yet); and challenges in enforcing laws (e.g. labour and taxation) for new work models. Legal challenges are significant -  ambiguity surrounding the classification of gig workers as employees or freelancers/independent businesses means that the gig workers are at risk of being exploited by some platform companies and corporations. Panellists also agreed that current challenges have led to the creation of a digital underclass in some cases, as opportunities are slanted towards specific population segments while the digitally excluded and vulnerable groups become further disadvantaged in future work. 

This Open Forum was jointly hosted by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and UN Global Pulse. BMZ unveiled its new project “FAIR Forward. It strives for a more open, inclusive and sustainable approach to AI. A speaker from Ruanda showed, how better open access to African language data can enable the development of AI-based voice interaction in local languages. The aim is to empower marginalized groups and enable local innovation. UNGP presented its work in Africa: Supporting political frameworks for a value-based AI and better data protection e.g. in Ghana and Uganda. There was broad support for the initiative, in particular on creating open datasets of marginalized languages. It was added that attention has to be paid to the choice of languages, particularly the amount of people who speak the language as well as the state of digital development of communities and accountability of AI systems.

The workshop's six panelists were grouped in groups of two. Each pair addressed one of three main elements: 1) data-enabled digital transformation of SMEs, 2) data flows connecting SMEs in a global supply chain, 3) privacy and data protection considerations.

The workshop provided an improved understanding of both the practical and policy elements necessary to support cross-border data flows to enable participation of SMEs in global trade. Speakers discussed the potential impact that digital transformation is and can have on SMEs. They discussed the right policy environment that can enable SMEs to engage in international trade, as well as highlighted some examples of SMEs that are using ICTs to grow and expand their business across borders. They also grappled with the challenges SMEs are facing trying to navigate the complex regulatory environment arising from data protection and privacy concerns.

Some of the main takeaways were:

• SMEs comprise a huge part of the global labor force, make up half of businesses globally, and have enormous potential for bringing new avenues of economic opportunity, through e-commerce for example.
• Cross-border e-commerce is important for SMEs and ICT is a critical enabler of that activity by providing connections to business counterparts and customers up and down the supply chain.
• Navigating complex regulatory frameworks is a significant challenge for SMEs. International regulations around data protection and privacy are complex and increasingly fragmented.

The discussion focused on Ghana's chairmanship of the coalition and the the  priorities under the FOC's Program of Action 2019-2020, including digital inclusion, disinformation, artifical intelligence and cybersecurity and human rights. The current Chair provided an update and overview of the upcming Annual Freedom Online Conference. 

The focus of the FO Conference 2020, Achieving a Common Vision for Internet Freedom, recognises the significance of convening key actors to renew commitments and pathways towards a rights-respecting framework for Internet freedom through achieving certain key goals.  

The Conference will provide a unique forum to re-examine the state of play of current and arising challenges to freedom online, exchange perspectives and identify possible solutions. With Ghana at the helm, the Conference will put particular emphasis on reviewing the current state of digital rights across Africa, outlining strategies for improving digital rights on the continent, and globally.

There was also discussion about the importance of multistakeholder engagement with many of the members of the FOC Advisory Network participating in the discussion. 

The discussion focused on the responsibility along the supply chain and how to create and implement standards on a B2B level. Participants were in agreement that on the extended need for global rules and standards. Equally important, all suppliers need to adhere to established baseline requirements. Some disagreements were had on the extent of mandating such requirements, or who should be implementing them. The Charter of Trust has been working on creating high-level baseline requirement recommendations that will be applicable for companies from various industries. Disagreement was had on the best implementation of these requirements across a company’s supply chain. Dr. Wolf (TÜV SÜD) expressed that non-fulfilment of these standards should possibly lead to the disqualification of a supplier. Whereas Mr. Kruse-Brandao (SGS) suggested that mandatory standards carrying concrete consequences for non-compliance should come via governmental regulation. However, ultimately  all panellists agreed that full responsibility along the supply chain can only be achieved, if all members of a company have a minimum awareness of cybersecurity hygiene. Discussing the issue of education along the supply chain, Dr Wolf (TÜV SÜD) added that many skilled workers with years of experience will have to broaden their expert knowledge and get high-level training on cybersecurity as well. As an example, he gave car mechanics certifying car safety, who will have to be trained in cybersecurity as cars continue to become more and more digitally connected devices.

There was strong agreement among everyone that the primary principles to follow are the protection of privacy, especially for marginalized groups, while at the same time allowing for the benefits of innovation for efficiency and sustainability, for example in traffic management. A less consensual and unclearer, yet important principle is that of "data sovereignty". It is also clear that individual data sovereignty may be limited by collective or public interests sometimes. Finally, transparency on the part of any data holders and users is a must, whether they are private or public, to ensure accountability and to prevent cases of corruption. These principles together function as "boundary conditions", a term introduced by one speaker, for both the development and governance of any data-driven technology. These boundaries are formalized in technical and legal standards, and while actors can and should influence these standards, they must follow them once set. There was also consensus that there should be in principle equal access to data-driven services, and some pointed out that there should be equal access to data as well. It was pointed out that intersectionality needs to be considered already in the design of services to ensure the safety and equal opportunities of all groups of people - this became apparent for example when the workshop participants considered exclusion of BIPoC, non-binary or transgendered persons, notably even at the IGF itself. Participants also noted that in order to to determine responsibilities it is vital to ask "who gets control of what data"?. There was no clear general answer to this, but it was agreed that public and private models each have advantages and disadvantages. Methodologically, it also became clear that it is important to first gain a common understanding about the types of data that are discussed.

Concerning the development of local content that drives Internet deployment and uptake, speakers had various recommendations.

1. Content in the local language is critical, not only speaking the language by supporting subtitles but addressing the relevant topics in their language.

2. It is important to look for local authors and work with local publishers to create audio books in the local language.

3. Develop synergies at the local level that generate content..

4. There is a complementary need to invest in the development of business skills so that young creators of local content can commercial it.

5. Circulation and distribution of content is critical. Unesco created a mobile app solution developed by a young woman to ensure these textbooks can gain a second or third life.

6. There's no reason to import internationally the solutions made on the ground. 

Participants agreed on the importance of legal frameworks grounded in fundamental rights for tackling hate speech online. There was broad acknowledgement of the continued challenge of addressing online hate speech while protecting freedom of expression. Participants highlighted that while technical solutions are important, they cannot replace human intervention and oversight.

Some suggested that relevant legal frameworks lack the necessary clarity and specificity. There is also a lack of enforcement of legal protections. Several participants highlighted that much discussion is focused on legal frameworks and social norms in Europe and North America, and argued for greater attention to and recognition of the situation in the Global South. They tied this to discussions concerning context, and the difficulties that automated tools designed to identify and remove content have in understanding the particular context and in detecting problematic videos and images.