Session
Organizer 1: Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 1: Irene Khan, Intergovernmental Organization, Intergovernmental Organization
Speaker 2: Younggyun Jeon, Private Sector, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 3: Nenden Sekar Arum, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 4: Liza Garcia, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 2: Younggyun Jeon, Private Sector, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 3: Nenden Sekar Arum, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 4: Liza Garcia, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Format
Theater
Duration (minutes): 60
Format description: Platform diversity is a topic that has not been discussed much. It is urgent to hear objective situations, policy status, and subjective views from stakeholders related to this topic. Afterward, opinions should be shared among each other, and it is appropriate to have a floor discussion based on this discussion. Therefore, the theater is suitable for this session.
Duration (minutes): 60
Format description: Platform diversity is a topic that has not been discussed much. It is urgent to hear objective situations, policy status, and subjective views from stakeholders related to this topic. Afterward, opinions should be shared among each other, and it is appropriate to have a floor discussion based on this discussion. Therefore, the theater is suitable for this session.
Policy Question(s)
1. How can governments create a regulatory environment that supports both platform diversity and digital rights protection?
2. With dominant global platforms like Facebook and YouTube shaping online discourse and activism, what policy measures can be taken to encourage the development of alternative platforms that are independent, rights-respecting, and locally relevant?
3. How can international human rights frameworks and technical standards be leveraged to ensure that platform regulations support diversity and inclusion rather than suppressing competition or freedom of expression? What role should governments, civil society organizations, and international bodies play in this process?
What will participants gain from attending this session? Since the advent of the Internet era, platforms have become powerful enough to mediate most of our daily lives. Because of this, when illegal information or unpleasant events occur on the Internet, the first demand is to regulate the platform. However, platform regulation has returned as a side effect of government censorship and resulting human rights violations. This session proposed platform diversity as a way to strengthen the accountability of platforms while protecting the principles and philosophy of the Internet. I hope that participants will accept this as a methodology and think of other ways to strengthen the accountability of platforms while bypassing regulations.
Description:
As platforms refine their algorithms to help users find the information they seek, they are being actively used as primary tools for deliberately spreading false information about human rights activists and civil society organization members. In response to these challenges, strengthening platform accountability has been chosen to regulate discrimination and hate. However, such efforts have led to government censorship, like the UNESCO guidelines. To overcome this dilemma, we propose platform diversity as a strategy to enhance platform accountability. Since the internet ecosystem has become centered around profit-driven platforms, users have naturally been positioned as consumers within the digital space. Under these conditions, one of the most powerful ways for users to assert their rights is through boycotts. For platform operators, whose growth and survival depend heavily on economies of scale, an organized act of users rejecting and leaving a platform can be highly threatening. We must explore various ways to protect the digital rights of marginalized groups while preserving the philosophy and principles of the internet. If efforts to enhance platform accountability are combined with and supported by initiatives to ensure platform diversity, the impact will be significant. Moreover, fostering a culture that encourages platform diversity will ultimately lead to greater platform accountability. Today, we entrust our thoughts and expressions to a handful of global platforms. Platform diversity is not only about increasing the number of alternative platforms that users can migrate to; it also involves rethinking the design and governance of platforms in alternative ways. We will be inviting panelists including Irene Khan, UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression; James Jeon of Kakao, an international platform company; Nenden Arum, CEO of Indonesian civil society organization SafeNet; and Lisa Garcia, CEO of Philippine civil society organization FMA, to delve deeper into the topic of platform diversity.
As platforms refine their algorithms to help users find the information they seek, they are being actively used as primary tools for deliberately spreading false information about human rights activists and civil society organization members. In response to these challenges, strengthening platform accountability has been chosen to regulate discrimination and hate. However, such efforts have led to government censorship, like the UNESCO guidelines. To overcome this dilemma, we propose platform diversity as a strategy to enhance platform accountability. Since the internet ecosystem has become centered around profit-driven platforms, users have naturally been positioned as consumers within the digital space. Under these conditions, one of the most powerful ways for users to assert their rights is through boycotts. For platform operators, whose growth and survival depend heavily on economies of scale, an organized act of users rejecting and leaving a platform can be highly threatening. We must explore various ways to protect the digital rights of marginalized groups while preserving the philosophy and principles of the internet. If efforts to enhance platform accountability are combined with and supported by initiatives to ensure platform diversity, the impact will be significant. Moreover, fostering a culture that encourages platform diversity will ultimately lead to greater platform accountability. Today, we entrust our thoughts and expressions to a handful of global platforms. Platform diversity is not only about increasing the number of alternative platforms that users can migrate to; it also involves rethinking the design and governance of platforms in alternative ways. We will be inviting panelists including Irene Khan, UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression; James Jeon of Kakao, an international platform company; Nenden Arum, CEO of Indonesian civil society organization SafeNet; and Lisa Garcia, CEO of Philippine civil society organization FMA, to delve deeper into the topic of platform diversity.
Expected Outcomes
1. First, we will publish a report summarizing the contents of the session.
2. After that, we will conduct research on internet-related policies, minority protection policies, and the level of internet technology education in target countries.
3. We will also establish a network with software developers, cybersecurity experts, and individuals interested in building alternative platforms to foster collaboration and conduct educational programs focused on platform development and management.
Hybrid Format: 1.
- Hybrid Q&A: Use a live Q&A tool (e.g., Slido, Mentimeter) so both online and onsite participants can submit and upvote questions in real-time.
- Moderated Chat: Assign a dedicated moderator to monitor the online chat and ensure online attendees' questions/comments are addressed.
- Live Polling & Surveys: Conduct real-time polls for all participants to engage them equally.
2.
- Interactive Agenda: Structure the session to include engagement points such as live polls, breakout discussions, and Q&A segments to keep both audiences involved.
- Dedicated Hybrid Moderator: Assign a subordinate moderator to bridge the gap between online and onsite audiences, ensuring both groups have equal opportunities to contribute.
3.
- Post-Session Engagement: Provide recordings, transcripts, and discussion forums (e.g., Slack, Discord, LinkedIn groups) to keep the conversation going.
- Networking & Community Building: Discord, Slack, LinkedIn Groups
- Post-Session Feedback & Surveys: Google Forms, Typeform, SurveyMonkey