With the expansion of communication technologies, there has been an increase in the spread of ‘fake news’ all over the world. But what is ‘fake news’ exactly? Is it different from mis/disinformation, and should we be using those terms instead? 

In this episode, Nidhi and Shashank speak to Tarunima Prabhakar from Tattle about the misinformation ecosystem in India. They discuss what misinformation is, the depth of the problem in India, how it spreads over channels like WhatsApp, and how we can guard against misinformation as we consume content online. 

Tarunima Prabhakar is a researcher working at the intersection of technology, policy and global development. She co-founded Tattle, which builds citizen centric tools and datasets to respond to inaccurate and harmful content in India. 

Resources

For more on Tarunima Prabhakar - https://tarunima.com/ 

Tattle - https://tattle.co.in/ 

Hosts: Nidhi Singh, Shashank Mohan

Editor: Gopika P

Fact Checker: Sukriti

Supported by: Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom

This podcast is created by the ⁠Centre for Communication Governance⁠ at NLU-D. Reach out for any queries / suggestions at [email protected]

Some in AI circles consider emotion recognition to be the next logical step beyond facial recognition. But can my emotions predict my future actions? Is it really possible to accurately recognise emotions from outward expressions? In this episode, Nidhi and Shashank are in conversation with Vidushi Marda on Emotion Recognition Technologies (ERTs). They discuss what ERTs are, the ‘science’ behind it, and what implications it holds for people. 

Vidushi Marda is a lawyer and researcher who investigates the societal impact of artificial intelligence (AI) systems. Her work engages with technical, policy, academic and advocacy communities. She has produced pioneering research on machine learning particularly in non-Western jurisdictions. Most recently, she has been actively involved in advocacy efforts at the EU level vis-a-vis the EU AI Act, and is a regular contributor to United Nations resolutions on privacy, freedom of expression and digital technologies. 

Resources: For more on Vidushi Marda - https://vidushimarda.com/ 

Emotion Recognition and the Limits of Data Protection, p. 94-108 of Emerging Trends in Data Governance

Racial Influence on Automated Perceptions of Emotions by Lauren Rhue

Hosts: Shashank Mohan & Nidhi Singh

Editor: Gopika P

Fact Checker: Srija Naskar

Supported by: Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom

This podcast is created by the Centre for Communication Governance at NLU-D. You can also find the podcast on YouTube. Reach out for any queries / suggestions at [email protected]

Close to six years after the Puttaswamy judgement, India finally has a dedicated Digital Personal Data Protection Act. But what does this mean for the average internet user? Do they have more control over their own data? Jhalak and Shashank of CCG converse on these and more in this episode. They break down the rights given to individuals under the Act, the remedies available and the gaps within. 

Resources:

Privacy Law Library

CCG website

CCG’s Comments on the Bill (2022) 

Hosts: Jhalak M. Kakkar, Shashank Mohan

Editor: Gopika P

Supported by: Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom

What are the biggest challenges and opportunities for internet regulation from the Brazilian perspective? In this episode, Prof. Sérgio Branco helps us understand developments on fake news legislation, the right to be forgotten and data protection in Brazil. He also shares with us lessons for India on the implementation and enforcement of Brazil’s data protection law, and his thoughts on the future of internet regulation in Brazil. 

Prof. Sérgio Branco is a lawyer, academic, and intellectual property specialist. As an intellectual property specialist from PUC-Rio, Branco has written several books on the topic, including “Memory and Forgetting on the Internet,” “Copyright on the Internet and the Use of Third Parties’ Works,” “The Public Domain in Brazilian Copyright Law – A Work in the Public Domain,” “What is Creative Commons – New Copyright Models in a More Creative World.” Branco is also a co-founder and director of Institute for Technology & Society.

Hosts: Shashank Mohan, Aishwarya Giridhar

Editors: Ananya Moncourt, Gopika P

Supported by: Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom 

What is the narrative we’re seeing around the Brussels Effect and what are some of its limitations? How do varying geopolitical environments impact data regulation? As deliberation around tech regulation and adoption of data governance frameworks increases globally, Dr. Ingrid Schneider shares her expertise on the German approach to this question and how it is linked to the EU’s take on it. We also explore developing trends in regulation of data across India, Brazil, Mexico and the EU, and differences in these approaches. 

Professor Ingrid Schneider is a distinguished political scientist and professor at the University of Hamburg in Germany. Her expertise lies in the intricate relationship between digitalization, society, and political dimensions. Currently, she is actively involved in a project funded by the European Union that aims to promote sustainable development through research on the effects of digitisation in Mexico, Brazil, India, Indonesia, South Africa and Europe.

The Brussels Effect: How the European Union Rules the World (Bradford, 2020)  

A Chance for India to Shape a Data Governance Regime (Schneider, 2023)

Hosts: Shashank Mohan & Aishwarya Giridhar

Editors: Ananya Moncourt & Gopika P

Supported by: Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom

As India contemplates new regulations for platforms, particularly larger online platforms, we speak with Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Schulz about effective enforcement of laws on platform regulation, appropriate regulatory structures, and key elements that platform governance laws across the globe should consider. In July 2022, the European Parliament approved the Digital Service Act (DSA) and the Digital Markets Act (DMA) to ensure user safety online, protect fundamental rights, and maintain a fair and open online platform environment. In this episode of the The CCG Tech Podcast, Prof. Schulz draws from his experience following and participating in the drafting process of the DSA to share learnings for other countries to consider.

About Our Guest Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Schulz is Research Director of the Hans-Bredow-Institute for Media Research. He has been a lecturer in the Information and Communication specialization of the Faculty of Law at the University of Hamburg since 1997. He also holds the UNESCO Chair on Freedom of Communication and Information.

Resources

About the Digital Services Act (DSA)

About the Digital Markets Act (DMA)

Hosts: Shashank Mohan & Aishwarya Giridhar

Editors: Ananya Moncourt & Gopika P

Supported by: Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom