Tech is not neutral and we need to do better
The best bookmarks I saved in Week 12, 2019.
Tech is not neutral
Canary in a Coal Mine: How Tech Provides Platforms for Hate
By Tatiana Mac on A List Apart
“We, by way of our platforms, give agency and credence to these acts of violence, then pilfer profits from them. Tech is a money-making accomplice to these hate crimes.”
Article: Canary in a Coal Mine: How Tech Provides Platforms for Hate
Trading privacy for survival is another tax on the poor
By Ciara Byrne on Fast Company
“Personal data is used to deny low-income people access to resources or opportunities, but it’s also used to target them with predatory marketing for payday loans or even straight-up scams.”
Article: Trading privacy for survival is another tax on the poor
How the tragic death of Do Not Track ruined the web for everyone
By Glenn Fleishman on Fast Company
“the prospect of federal legislation brought ad players to the table. But when that legislation didn’t materialize, “the prolonged negotiations in fact proved useful to the industry to create the illusion of a voluntary self-regulatory process, seemingly preempting the need for regulation.”
Article: How the tragic death of Do Not Track ruined the web for everyone
State websites are aiding a disgraceful silent surveillance
By Karlin Lillington on the Irish Times
“Of “special concern” is that, by cross-referencing such data to the vast trove of personally-identifying information Google also holds from services like Gmail, Android apps, and Search, Google can “easily associate web activity with the identities of real people”, the report warns.”
Article: State websites are aiding a disgraceful silent surveillance
Facebook Says It Will Use AI to Police Revenge Porn, but It Won’t Fully Explain How
By Melanie Ehrenkranz on Gizmodo
“How will this detection technology be able to discern a lingerie photo that someone uploads confidently of themselves versus a photo of a woman in lingerie that was taken in private by a former partner who is now vindictively posting it across his social media pages? Or, how will this new detection tech be able to differentiate revenge porn from a nude work of art or a historically significant photo?”
Article: Facebook Says It Will Use AI to Police Revenge Porn, but It Won’t Fully Explain How
We need to do better
About the HTML Epidemic, WebAIM “Million” Report, and Teach Access
By Dennis Lembrée on Web Axe
“This is obviously a huge problem that must be addressed. What can we do to help resolve this HTML epidemic?
Digital accessibility must be considered when hiring and training employees. Accessibility must be considered when creating a web-based product. Accessibility must be a part of ongoing training for web professionals. Accessibility needs to be taught in education.”
Article: About the HTML Epidemic, WebAIM “Million” Report, and Teach Access