Mozilla publishes report looking back on the Internet in 2020
The Internet Health Report 2020 — A healthier internet is possible
https://2020.internethealthreport.org/
◆ Looking back on 2020
'In 2020, a difficult year for the world, the Internet has helped us and at the same time hurt us more than ever,' said Mozilla, the good and bad things that happened to the Internet in 2020. I am reporting on the changes.
A Healthier Internet is Possible — The Internet Health Report 2020
https://2020.internethealthreport.org/year-in-review/
In 2020, the impact of the new coronavirus caused a worldwide lockdown, resulting in an increase in demand for Internet services. The Internet is provided to about half of the world's population, and they are actively using remote work and online lessons.
In contrast, half of the world's people do not have an internet connection. In addition, some countries restrict people's free internet access. In countries where Internet connectivity is restricted, millions of people are trying to access information on the Internet using
Mozilla offers cheap internet to reduce people who can't connect to the internet, such as public investment in infrastructure that connects rural and urban areas, and more public access points such as 'schools,' 'universities,' and 'libraries.' He points out that we need to discuss how to do this. He also argues that improving the quality of Internet access requires support not only for equipment owned by the government and large private Internet companies, but also for equipment operated by the community.
“To change the problems that came to light in 2020, people need to look at both the good and the bad of the Internet,” says Mozilla.
◆ Internet and racism
Technology has been considered racially equal. But in recent years, the existence of racially unequal technology has come to light, Mozilla reports.
Racial Justice | Decode the Default — The Internet Health Report 2020
The web browser ' Blackbird ', which appeared in 2008 with the catch phrase 'Web browser for African Americans', is a browser that uses Google custom search to display search results optimized for black people. did. Blackbird has been downloaded 300,000 times in the first few months, demonstrating the high demand for 'black-optimized search results.'
In addition, Safiya U. Noble , author of the best-selling book Algorithms of Oppression , which describes racial discrimination based on search engine algorithms, searched Google for 'Black girls' and found search results. He said he was shocked to see many pornographic images displayed. Google then adjusted the search results for 'Black girls' but didn't mention any changes to the search algorithm. According to a report in June 2020, if you search for words such as 'Black girls', 'Latin girls', and 'Asian girls', porn-related keywords will be suggested. .. As you can see, Google's algorithms often display racist search results .
Search engine algorithms are not the only racist technology. For example, researchers have pointed out that the AI used in the American judicial examination does not recognize black faces, and that the voice recognition algorithm cannot recognize black voices well. Has been reported to behave in a racist manner. IBM announced in June 2020 that it would withdraw from the development of facial recognition technology, fearing that such technology would promote racial discrimination.
IBM announces withdrawal from facial recognition market, 'concerned that technology promotes discrimination and inequality' --GIGAZINE
Mozilla is asking 'what kind of person was the supposed user?' About racism by technology. In addition, regarding the background to the development of technology for racist behavior,
◆ Workers' rights
There are over 50 million workers worldwide, called gig workers, who work on online platforms like Uber . Mozilla reports that gig workers have been deprived of their right to access information.
Labor Rights | Unlock Data Power — The Internet Health Report 2020
https://2020.internethealthreport.org/spotlights/labor-rights-unlock-data-power/
James Farah, who was assaulted by passengers while driving Uber in 2015, asked Uber for information on the assaulted passengers, but said that he had been ignored for weeks. Despite working as a freelance driver, Farah was indignant at the fact that Uber manages information about passengers in his car. Later, Farrer founded the App Drivers & Couriers Union , a trade union for ride- hailing app drivers, and filed suits against Uber and other ride-hailing app operators to pay the minimum wage and take holidays.
In a proceeding against Uber, Farah learned that Uber possesses secret parameters for evaluating drivers. However, Farah couldn't even know how this parameter affected the driver's work. Mozilla points out from Farah's case that the right to digital information and the right to workers are inextricably linked.
Developed to help gig workers have the right to get information, WeClock allows gig workers to record their work and store working hours, distance traveled and wages as data. Data collected by 213 WeClock users in October 2020 revealed that wages were declining without the gig workers being informed.
According to Mozilla, working conditions for gig workers are improving. In September 2020, the operator of Barcelona-based food delivery app Glovo was sentenced to treat drivers as employees rather than freelancers. In addition, on November 3, 2020, a law was passed in California, home of multiple ride-hailing services, that requires businesses to expand their benefits to drivers who undertake work through apps. In response, ride-hailing services such as Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash have announced a series of benefits programs for California drivers.
Uber, Lyft, DoorDash and others start guaranteeing minimum income to drivers and medical assistance, in California where new law is enacted --GIGAZINE
◆ Transparency
In 2020, Mozilla reports that the impact of various SNS services has become apparent, and the companies that operate SNS are required to be transparent.
Transparency | Real Change How? — The Internet Health Report 2020
https://2020.internethealthreport.org/spotlights/transparency-real-change-how/
Facebook and Twitter have suspended Donald Trump's account following the January 2021 attack on the US Capitol . Some agree with this response, while others question that the companies that run social networks hinder the free expression of opinions.
Facebook asks independent auditing agency to discuss indefinite suspension of former President Trump's account --GIGAZINE
In October 2020, a Facebook post about the '
In addition, according to a survey using the data collection algorithm ' Citizen Browser Project ' developed by the new media The Markup, it was found that Facebook continues to 'recommend display of political groups' announced that it was banned. .. Mozilla says, 'It's difficult to extend transparency monitoring with such tools across all platforms and languages, but monitoring helps companies demand transparency. I will. '
It is pointed out that Facebook is still continuing to 'recommend display of political groups' that should have been banned --GIGAZINE
Related Posts:
in Web Service, Posted by log1o_hf