Villains and Heroes in Times of Crisis
May 6, 2020 | Bastiaan Vanacker
During times of crisis, we need heroes and villains. We separate the good guys from the bad ones to make sense of a complex reality and to redirect our emotions about the capriciousness of a deadly virus. It is a human reflex, but one that often focuses on punishment and reward at the expense of justice. This process is often more pronounced in digital realms.
Surveilling the Sick: Technology and the COVID-19 Pandemic
April 21, 2020 | Ailis Yaeger
As we are in the midst of the worst pandemic in modern times, the use of technology in order to track citizens has become not just a key method in controlling the spread of the virus, but also has attracted increasing scrutiny about the nature of surveillance.
#JeSuisMila opens debate about the right to blaspheme in France.
February 28, 2020 | Bastiaan Vanacker
After two radicalized Muslim assailants killed twelve people in their attack on Charlie Hebdo five years ago, the #jesuischarlie hashtag took over France and much of the Western world. The #jesuis*insert name* has become a catch phrase ever since for social media users expressing support to those who have been victimized. Earlier this year, for example, #jesuismila trended in France, in support of a young girl who had criticized Islam in an Instagram post. However, support has been far less unanimous than was the case five years ago, opening debate about the limits of online speech in France.
AMAZON’S RING DOORBELL RINGS IN NEW PRIVACY VIOLATIONS
February 21, 2020 | Ailis Yaeger
Amazon has bolstered from the internet sensation of sharing plots to deceive porch pirates by planting exploding boxes of glitter by explaining that the goal of purchasing a Ring Doorbell is to ensure safety. Yet, the company has not promised the protection of basic civil liberties with its ability to stream live audio and HD video.
Is OOH advertising contributing to digital fraud?
February 12, 2020 | Ailis Yaeger
The digital transformation of out-of-home advertising, also known as OOH, has advanced beyond traditional copywriting and leaped into interactive entertainment that is threatening consumer privacy and data mining.
