WebRoots Democracy: Our Story
By Areeq Chowdhury. I founded WebRoots Democracy in May 2014 from a rented studio flat above a travel agency in Leyton, East London, where I was living at the time. … Continue reading WebRoots Democracy: Our Story
News and Opinions
Conspiracy theories are breaching the bulwarks of political trust and certainty – are the defences crumbling?
By Olivia Migliari. According to conspiracies, COVID-19 is a hoax; vaccines are going to implant trackable microchips in humans; COVID-19 is the man-made creation of powerful individuals for nefarious ends. … Continue reading Conspiracy theories are breaching the bulwarks of political trust and certainty – are the defences crumbling?
Cyber-libertarianism, free speech, and the ‘social turn’
By Charlie Markham. “How do you define free speech with an online lens in mind?” This was the first question posed by the brilliant Charlotte Jee, during the WebRoots Democracy … Continue reading Cyber-libertarianism, free speech, and the ‘social turn’
ICYMI: WebRoots Democracy Festival
WebRoots Democracy Festival was an online festival of talks, debates, and discussions examining pressing matters related to technology and democracy. It was held between 16-20 November 2020 and marked the … Continue reading ICYMI: WebRoots Democracy Festival
WATCH: Deepfakes and Democracy
The rise of deepfakes (convincingly faked videos created using artificial intelligence) poses a significant challenge for democracies across the world. They can be used to intimidate activists, undermine elections, and … Continue reading WATCH: Deepfakes and Democracy
Report calls for ‘generational ban’ on facial recognition surveillance
Facial recognition technology will ‘exacerbate racist outcomes’ in policing and should be banned ‘for a generation’ according to our new report, Unmasking Facial Recognition. The report also reveals that the … Continue reading Report calls for ‘generational ban’ on facial recognition surveillance
WATCH: Technology and its role in racialised surveillance
Automated facial recognition, contact tracing apps, and digital identity initiatives are on the rise. Taking examples from the UK, EU, and Australia, our recent event with the Portal Collective explored … Continue reading WATCH: Technology and its role in racialised surveillance
Free speech in the internet age
By Areeq Chowdhury. The concept of free speech is central to a lot of my work thinking about how we should regulate against the ills of social media. Disinformation, deepfakes, … Continue reading Free speech in the internet age
WebRoots Democracy launches ‘Unmasking Facial Recognition’ project
WebRoots Democracy has launched a new project ‘Unmasking Facial Recognition’ which will explore the implications of police-use of live facial recognition technology for minoritised communities. In particular, it will be … Continue reading WebRoots Democracy launches ‘Unmasking Facial Recognition’ project
A Civil Internet Tax
By Areeq Chowdhury. Social media relays in black and white text the best and worst messages about the world. These messages are sent directly to us in our homes on … Continue reading A Civil Internet Tax
WATCH: In conversation with Angela Rayner MP
Catch up on the hour-long discussion between the Labour Party’s Deputy Leader, Angela Rayner MP, and WebRoots Democracy director, Areeq Chowdhury, covering the pandemic, disinformation, racism, mental health, and more. … Continue reading WATCH: In conversation with Angela Rayner MP
WATCH: Inside the Virtual Parliament
For the first time in its history, the UK Parliament has been embracing remote methods of working as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Select Committees, Prime Minister’s Questions, and, … Continue reading WATCH: Inside the Virtual Parliament
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