Session
Organizer 1: Civil Society, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Organizer 2: Civil Society, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Organizer 2: Civil Society, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Speaker 1: Costanza Sciubba Caniglia, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 2: Renata Avila, Civil Society, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Speaker 3: Fabro Steibel, Civil Society, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Speaker 2: Renata Avila, Civil Society, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Speaker 3: Fabro Steibel, Civil Society, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Format
Roundtable
Duration (minutes): 60
Format description: A roundtable discussion is ideal for this session because it fosters a multifaceted analysis. Gathering experts with diverse viewpoints ensures a comprehensive exploration of the topic. This format promotes interactive dialogue and critical debate, enabling a deep dive into challenges and solutions. Furthermore, it facilitates direct engagement between experts and attendees, enriching the discussion with diverse questions and comments and creating a truly collaborative space for actionable proposals.
Duration (minutes): 60
Format description: A roundtable discussion is ideal for this session because it fosters a multifaceted analysis. Gathering experts with diverse viewpoints ensures a comprehensive exploration of the topic. This format promotes interactive dialogue and critical debate, enabling a deep dive into challenges and solutions. Furthermore, it facilitates direct engagement between experts and attendees, enriching the discussion with diverse questions and comments and creating a truly collaborative space for actionable proposals.
Policy Question(s)
A. To what extent have Big Tech’s business and political agendas negatively impacted the public sphere online?
B. Has government oversight been insufficient to maintain an open internet and safeguard user rights?
C. How can we develop policies to rectify how today’s Internet has strayed from its original vision, fostering democratic Internet governance and sustainable public interest platforms?
What will participants gain from attending this session? This session seeks to encourage participants to critically reflect on the role of large technology companies in society and politics, their challenges to democracy, and the idea of an open and free Internet. Ideas will be offered to strengthen the democratic governance of the Internet and promote open innovation. The session will inspire participants to engage in community action and policy advocacy and even develop new ideas that contribute to reconstructing the concept of a free and open Internet from their areas of action.
Description:
In this session, we will explore the growing tension between the original vision of a free and open internet and the current reality, marked by the consolidation of power in the hands of “Big Tech.” We will analyze how the evolution of the internet from a space of citizen empowerment to a geopolitical battleground poses significant challenges to democracy. We will begin by examining the unprecedented influence of Big Tech in shaping society, from mass surveillance to the manipulation of public opinion to the algorithmic amplification of content and commercialization of attention. We will discuss how their commercial and political interests are reshaping the digital landscape, often to the detriment of the public interest, especially as their sheer size and influence tend to overshadow any meaningful consideration for a public interest Internet in regulatory conversations. We will then address the erosion of the free and open internet, once a bastion of free speech and access to information. We will analyze the strategies employed by Big Tech companies to create “walled gardens” that limit competition and trap users and explore alternatives for regaining control over our online experience and personal data. Finally, we will reflect on the future of the Internet and the need to build a more open, fairer, and more equitable digital ecosystem. We will discuss proposals to strengthen the Internet's democratic governance, promote open innovation, and ensure meaningful access to information for all.
In this session, we will explore the growing tension between the original vision of a free and open internet and the current reality, marked by the consolidation of power in the hands of “Big Tech.” We will analyze how the evolution of the internet from a space of citizen empowerment to a geopolitical battleground poses significant challenges to democracy. We will begin by examining the unprecedented influence of Big Tech in shaping society, from mass surveillance to the manipulation of public opinion to the algorithmic amplification of content and commercialization of attention. We will discuss how their commercial and political interests are reshaping the digital landscape, often to the detriment of the public interest, especially as their sheer size and influence tend to overshadow any meaningful consideration for a public interest Internet in regulatory conversations. We will then address the erosion of the free and open internet, once a bastion of free speech and access to information. We will analyze the strategies employed by Big Tech companies to create “walled gardens” that limit competition and trap users and explore alternatives for regaining control over our online experience and personal data. Finally, we will reflect on the future of the Internet and the need to build a more open, fairer, and more equitable digital ecosystem. We will discuss proposals to strengthen the Internet's democratic governance, promote open innovation, and ensure meaningful access to information for all.
Expected Outcomes
This session aims to deliver three key outcomes: informed awareness, inspired action, and enriched public discourse. Participants will reflect on Big Tech’s impact on democracy, freedom of expression, and participation, fostering a sense of responsibility to protect the free and open internet. We intend to spark engagement in digital rights advocacy at all levels. The session will contribute to a more robust public debate on Internet governance, generating innovative ideas for building the future of the Internet. These insights and recommendations will be compiled into an online publication.
Hybrid Format: Designate onsite and online moderators will make sure to manage hybrid interactions. These persons will monitor onsite and online chat/Q&A. Ensure online speakers and attendees are heard and seen. Finally, they’ll manage the flow of questions and comments from both groups. A dedicated Q&A section will allow onsite and online attendees to ask questions to ensure everyone is heard and seen. The moderators will ensure that online speakers and attendees are not considered secondary participants. We will also explore using online polling tools to simultaneously engage onsite and online attendees to gather opinions on the topics discussed.