The hottest Digital Rights Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top U.S. Politics Topics

Of course it’s a coup

Thinking about... • 2652 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Democracy Coup Government Power Digital Rights
  1. A coup can be digital, not just physical. Instead of armed men storming buildings, a group can gain power through technology and access to government systems.
  2. When someone who isn't elected, like Elon Musk, gains control over important government functions, it threatens democracy. It undermines our rights and makes our votes irrelevant.
  3. Recognizing and resisting this type of coup is crucial. It's important to defend our democratic systems against any form of control that chips away at our rights.

Exposing Big Tech’s Complicity in Genocide | The Chris Hedges Report

The Chris Hedges Report • 226 implied HN points • 01 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Big Tech Censorship Data Privacy Corporate ethics Digital Rights
  1. Many big tech companies are accused of censoring information about the situation in Gaza, with some employees losing their jobs for speaking out against this censorship.
  2. Employees from companies like Meta, Microsoft, and Apple report that there are double standards when it comes to moderating content, often suppressing pro-Palestinian voices while allowing anti-Palestinian sentiments to thrive.
  3. Some tech companies are deeply involved in supporting military actions in Israel, providing necessary technology and services that could be used in the ongoing conflict.

The Internet Takes the Amazon

The Analog Family • 399 implied HN points • 05 Jun 24
🕹 Technology Internet Digital Rights Social media Cultural impact
  1. The introduction of the Internet in remote Amazon villages has both benefits, like staying in touch with family, and drawbacks, such as young people losing interest in traditional crafts and customs.
  2. Some tribe leaders are noticing that excessive screen time is hurting community interactions and daily life, prompting them to set limits on Internet usage.
  3. Reactions to this change highlight hypocrisy in our own technology use; while we express concern for Indigenous cultures, we often ignore the negative effects of screens in our own families.

Should you sell your words to AI?

In My Tribe • 516 implied HN points • 30 Nov 24
🕹 Technology AI Ethics Digital Rights Content creation Intellectual Property
  1. Selling your words to AI can be seen as a smart idea, especially if it helps share your insights with more people. It could lead to interesting discussions and a chance to educate others.
  2. Some believe that using AI this way could harm the trust between a writer and their readers. They think that real human connection is essential in writing and shouldn't be replaced by machines.
  3. Personal legacy matters a lot. For some, like older writers, having an AI that reflects their thoughts can be a way to continue sharing their ideas even after they're gone.

Star Trek or Mad Max?

Diane Francis • 619 implied HN points • 11 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Internet Virtual reality Big Tech Digital Rights
  1. Experts debate whether AI will lead to a better future like 'Star Trek' or a dystopian one like 'Mad Max.'
  2. Some say AI, like ChatGPT, doesn't really think or create but uses existing data, raising concerns about job losses and content theft.
  3. Regulation and accountability are important, as many believe tech companies should be held responsible for their actions instead of managing themselves.
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Fixing the Web Week Recap: 5/20/24

Unmoderated Insights • 99 implied HN points • 21 May 24
🕹 Technology Social media Data Privacy AI Ethics Tech regulation Digital Rights
  1. There's growing concern about deepfake videos during elections, as they can mislead voters. People can easily create fake videos that look real, making it hard for social media to verify what’s true.
  2. Tech companies are required to share their data, but many are making it harder to access it. This could lead to fines if they don't comply with new regulations.
  3. The European Union is leading the way in regulating tech companies more effectively than the US. They are gathering experts to tackle tech issues, which can teach other countries about better oversight.

Stopping Frankenstein

Diane Francis • 579 implied HN points • 08 May 23
🕹 Technology AI Ethics Copyright Law AI Regulation Digital Rights
  1. Many experts are worried that AI, like ChatGPT, may take away millions of jobs, and some countries, like Italy, have banned AI products to figure out what to do.
  2. There are ongoing lawsuits against AI companies for using copyrighted materials without permission, which makes creators feel their work is being stolen.
  3. Regulations are being considered, especially in Europe, to ensure AI development is safe and ethical, which many believe is necessary to protect society from AI becoming too powerful.

Online Censorship's Institutional Power

Mad at the Internet • 139 HN points • 16 May 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship Free speech Media influence Digital Rights Internet Governance
  1. There is a growing concern about powerful interests in technology and media that can control online content and silence dissent. People are worried that without organized action, the internet could become less free.
  2. The Kiwi Farms forum has shown how sharing information online can impact reputations significantly. When people share thoughts and stories freely, it can create lasting effects, especially on influential figures.
  3. The anti-censorship movements often lack coordination and resources compared to pro-censorship groups. This makes it hard for them to effectively combat censorship efforts that threaten open dialogue online.

National Association of Manufactured Consent: D.C. Group Floats Anti Right to Repair Tome

Fight to Repair • 118 implied HN points • 15 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Repairability Environment Politics Digital Rights Legislation
  1. The National Association of Manufacturers released a report against the right to repair but it recycled industry talking points and presented weak arguments.
  2. The report falsely claims that right to repair harms the environment, but in reality, creating and shipping replacement parts are more environmentally friendly than replacing entire devices.
  3. Different state right to repair laws can be burdensome, but they are a step towards a federal law that grants repair rights to all Americans, while still allowing for state-level legislation.

Artificial Intelligence Breaches the Fundamental Human Right of Choice

Theology • 11 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Ethics Digital Rights Data Privacy Human Rights
  1. Big Tech is forcing AI into our lives without giving us a choice. Instead of letting people decide if they want to use AI, companies are making it hard to opt-out.
  2. The right to choose whether we use AI is a fundamental human right. People should have clear options and be informed about how AI affects their choices.
  3. Society needs to push for laws that protect our rights related to AI. Just like privacy laws protect our data, we need rules to keep AI as a choice, not something that's forced on us.

The $800 Billion Secret Inside Your Car: Data

Fight to Repair • 59 implied HN points • 04 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Data Collection Privacy Rights Repair IOT Digital Rights
  1. California is investigating how car companies collect data, emphasizing the importance of data transparency and ownership for vehicle owners
  2. Vehicle data is projected to be worth $800 billion by 2030, highlighting the lucrative nature of data collection from cars for companies
  3. Consumers often lack awareness of the data being collected from them, leading to potential privacy concerns and issues with car companies' practices

About Fight to Repair Weekly

Fight to Repair • 19 implied HN points • 30 Dec 20
🕹 Technology Repair Cybersecurity Internet of Things Digital Rights Sustainability
  1. Repair journalism is not adequately covering the right to repair, though the topic deserves more attention and focus.
  2. The battle for a digital right to repair encompasses issues beyond just fixing broken devices, touching on areas like environmental sustainability, market consolidation, and digital rights.
  3. The Fight to Repair Weekly newsletter aims to delve deeper into the significant, overarching themes related to the right to repair, bridging the gap in media coverage and exploring the broader implications of repair rights.

What is 'The Diary of a #DataCitizen?'

The Diary of a #DataCitizen • 0 implied HN points • 28 Aug 24
🕹 Technology Data Governance AI Ethics Digital Rights Data Literacy
  1. Being a data citizen means using data to make smart business choices. It's about knowing your rights and responsibilities regarding data.
  2. Data literacy and good governance are super important with the rise of AI. Understanding data helps us navigate its challenges and benefits.
  3. There is a 'Data Citizens Bill of Rights' that outlines the rights and expectations for those involved in data decision-making.

Privacy please 🤫

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 0 implied HN points • 07 Aug 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Data Privacy Legislation Digital Rights Government Policy Technology Regulation
  1. The Indian government has taken back a law about personal data protection. They want to create a better plan for how digital data is managed.
  2. This move came after suggestions to change the law were made by a committee. The government is looking for a more comprehensive solution.
  3. It's important to keep an eye on how this will affect people's privacy online in the future.