Why Is Facebook’s Decision to Restrict News in Australia So Significant?

Australia’s effort to rein in big tech has sparked discussion about social media platforms’ role in journalism, access to news media, platform power in general and the financial systems that uphold Silicon Valley. In this article, four experts consider the consequences of Facebook’s decision to restrict news in Australia.

Platforms do not need to wait for the US Congress to reform Section 230 or for the European Union to adopt the Digital Services Act. In fact, there are many measures that platforms could start implementing today to more efficiently fight disinformation. Delphine Halgand-Mishra explains.

Often, technology firms burden the public with duties it cannot possibly fulfill: to read every terms of service, understand every complex case of algorithmic harm, fact-check every piece of news. In this article, Sun-ha Hong explains why transparency measures, when issued in place of meaningful reforms, are not enough. 

New world orders often follow dark epochs. In this article, Angelo Federico Arcelli and Giovanni Tria argue that, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is time to develop a new scheme for the global economy — one that entails a new Bretton Woods initiative.

The Right Reverend Dr. Steven Croft, the Bishop of Oxford, approaches discussions around technology from a very different viewpoint, not as an academic or technologist but as a theologian in the Anglican church. In this episode of Big Tech, he asks: How can we ensure that we deploy technology for the common good of humankind?

Mar. 11 – 9:00 a.m. EST (UTC–05:00): The Canadian Intellectual Property Office and the Centre for International Governance Innovation are pleased to host the 4th Annual IP Data & Research Conference. This virtual event features a full-day agenda of international experts discussing the integral relationship between intellectual property and economic growth.

Jun. 8 – 1:30 p.m. EDT (UTC–04:00): As part of CIGI’s continued work on reimagining a modern Canadian national security strategy, we are pleased to host Vincent Rigby, national security and intelligence advisor to the prime minister of Canada. Rigbywill discuss his role in responding to national security challenges; a question period moderated by Aaron Shull will follow.