Lecture Notes Review: Digital Transformation, Internet Governance, and Blockchain

These flashcards cover key concepts from lectures on digital transformation, internet governance, and blockchain technology.

What year was Sputnik launched by the Soviet Union?

1957

What agency did the US government create in response to Sputnik?

The Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA), later known as DARPA.

What major focus did ARPA initially have?

Developing reliable, distributed communication systems.

What is packet-switching?

Breaking digital information into small packets that can be transmitted independently across a network.

Who developed TCP/IP protocols?

Vin Cerf & Bob Kahn.

When was TCP/IP adopted as the standard for ARPANET?

1983.

What does the Domain Name System (DNS) do?

Makes navigating the network easier by using human-readable names instead of IP addresses.

What was the primary use of ARPANET that was not anticipated?

Email.

What significant change did the NSFNET bring in the 1980s?

Expanded access to the internet beyond military and select contractors.

What were the two main roles of DARPA and NSF in early internet development?

DARPA provided funding and oversight for ARPANET; NSF built NSFNET for broader access.

What was the Federal Communications Commission's approach to the internet in 1980?

Adopted a 'hands-off' approach, classifying networking as a 'value-added service'.

What is the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)?

A group providing institutional support for internet standards.

What did the breakup of AT&T facilitate?

The emergence of Internet Service Providers (ISPs).

What are some risks introduced by the concentration of internet infrastructure?

Control, security, and digital sovereignty issues.

What is a ‘Request for Comments’ (RFC)?

A method created for ARPANET researchers to propose and debate technical standards.

What did the 1984 antitrust case against AT&T lead to?

The breakup of its monopoly, fostering competition in telecommunications.

What is the OECD framework for governance?

It includes contextual factors, institutional models, and policy levers.

What are the key characteristics of digital transformation?

Reprogrammability, combinatorial nature, cross-sector reach, and platform logic.

What does Digital Transformation (DT) emphasize?

Systemic changes in strategy, processes, and organizational culture.

What is the significance of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)?

It provides a comprehensive framework for data protection in the EU.

What is the Digital Services Act (DSA)?

Legislation to harmonize rules for online platforms across the EU.

What is a DAO?

Decentralized Autonomous Organization - governs itself through smart contracts.

Explain the principle of ‘end-to-end’ communication.

Intelligence lies at the network edges rather than in the core, enhancing resilience.

What is the hybrid governance model?

A mix of private initiative and state oversight, integrating technical and legal frameworks.

What are some challenges posed by digital platforms?

Concerns about content moderation, privacy, and accountability.

What motivates the use of blockchain technology?

It provides a decentralized, immutable, and transparent transaction ledger.

What does TCP/IP stand for?

Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol.

What is a ‘smart contract’?

Self-executing contracts with terms written into code on the blockchain.

What was the focus of the Digital Transformation in the public sector?

Enhancing state capacity and citizen experience through digital resources.

How does the GDPR define data subjects’ rights?

Rights related to transparency, access, and control over personal data.

What is an example of a high-risk AI system according to the AI Act?

Credit scoring systems.

What is the significance of the Schufa and Dun & Bradstreet cases?

They highlight the need for transparency and accountability in algorithmic decision-making.

What is the ‘right to be forgotten’?

The right for individuals to request the deletion of their personal data.

What is the importance of a transparency report under the DSA?

It ensures accountability by detailing content moderation processes by platforms.

What does the term 'hybrid constitutionalism' refer to?

Collaboration between public institutions and private platforms in governance.

What does algorithmic opacity mean?

The lack of transparency in how algorithms make decisions.

What is the role of the Meta Oversight Board?

To review content moderation decisions and ensure adherence to freedom of expression standards.

Identify one major regulatory challenge in the digital age.

Balancing innovation with the protection of fundamental rights.

What does the term 'digital constitutionalism' encompass?

The interplay of rights and governance in the context of digital platforms.

What does the phrase 'code is law' imply?

Technical design choices regulate behavior as effectively as legal rules.

What is the core principle behind open-source governance?

Transparency, shared access to resources, and community involvement.

What is the significance of the 'Brussels Effect'?

How EU regulations influence global standards beyond its borders.