Brief #99 – Technology Policy Brief
by Steve Piazza
Campaign ads are not in and of themselves policy, but their message reflects a candidate’s or party’s policy of sorts, namely on how far it is willing to go to get what it wants.
Technology
A Clash of Titans: FTC Chair Lina Kahn Takes on Amazon
Brief #98 – Technology Policy Brief
by Mindy Spatt
As a law student Lina Kahn authored a widely respected critique of Amazon’s market power. Now that she’s chair of the Federal Trade Commission will she be able to do something about it?
Google Cloud’s AI Conference Draws Protestors
Brief #97 – Technology Policy Brief
by Mindy Spatt
The emergent capabilities of AI systems have blurred the boundaries between machine autonomy and human control…
Navigating Digital Ethics: Autonomy, Consent, and Algorithmic Justice in the Modern Age
Brief #96 – Technology Policy Brief
by Inijah Quadri
The emergent capabilities of AI systems have blurred the boundaries between machine autonomy and human control…
The Battle Over Autonomous Vehicles in San Francisco
Brief #95 – Technology Policy Brief
by Mindy Spatt
A further irony to the debate is that the rideshare companies have made no secret of their own goal of eventually getting rid of drivers and moving to AVs themselves…
X Marks the Spot as Elon Musk Makes More Enemies
Brief #94 – Technology Policy Brief
by Mindy Spatt
In a letter threatening suit on June 20, X cited this report in accusing the CCDH of “making inflammatory, outrageous, and false…
Navigating the Information Jungle: Social Media, Disinformation, and Political Polarization
Brief #93 – Technology Policy Brief
by Inijah Quadri
Disinformation is an orchestrated campaign designed to propagate lies, distortions, and half-truths…
Is that Hotel or Airbnb Really Clean, Sunny and Well-Appointed?
Brief #92 – Technology Policy Brief
by Mindy Spatt
With the rise in online reviews we have seen that bad actors can manipulate or fake reviews to deceive consumers for their own benefit. In the meantime, how can you protect yourself?
Book Review: Traffic: Genius, Rivalry and Delusion in the Billion-Dollar Race to Go Viral, Ben Smith, Penguin Press, N.Y., 2023.
Brief #92 – Technology Policy Brief
by Mindy Spatt
Ben Smith describes how the founders of upstart news sites like Gawker and the Huffington Post started off racing to post breaking, under-reported news and ended up in a race for online traffic.
Google Profits from Barriers to Abortion Access
Brief #91 – Technology Policy Brief
by Mindy Spatt
A Google search for abortion services will often serve up just the opposite- ‘Pregnancy Crisis Centers’ and other fake clinics dedicated to preventing abortions rather than providing them.
Fintech Loans: Breakthrough in Payday Lending or Just Another Way to Bilk Consumers?
Brief #91 – Technology Policy
by Mindy Spatt
Earned Wage Access app users are living paycheck to paycheck, and being sucked into loans that hide their full costs, which can add up to the same 400 percent APR payday lenders charge.
Expanded Border Technology Raises Human Rights Concerns
Brief #90 – Technology Policy
by Steve Piazza
The 4th Amendment, amongst other things, protects civilians against warrantless actions by the government.