08.Technology, Hate & Countering Hate

Page 1: Introduction

  • Title: Technology, Hate, and Countering Hate

  • Course: IDST 129 - Countering Hate

Page 2: Overview of History of Legal Regulation of the Net in U.S.

  • Key Legal Issue: Liability of content posted online.

    • 1991 Case: CompuServe not liable for user content; did not control it.

    • Prodigy Approach: Moderated content; deemed jointly responsible in 1995.

  • Section 230: Communications Decency Act (1996)

    • Protects online service providers from liability for user-generated content.

    • Allows restriction of obscene or objectionable material without liability for user content.

Page 3: Continued Legal Regulation Overview

  • Content Engagement Methods: Algorithms developed for user engagement (e.g., search, news feeds).

  • Moody vs. NetChoice (2024):

    • Supreme Court ruling on expressive activity via curated content.

    • Clarified First Amendment rights regarding editorial control.

    • TikTok Case: Potential liability for promoting harmful challenges.

Page 4: Technology of Communication – Writing & Printing

  • Written Language: Facilitates information transmission.

  • Printing Press:

    • Emerged in 15th century Europe; enabled political pamphlets.

    • Spurred movements (e.g., Protestant Reformation, American & French Revolutions).

  • Common Sense by Thomas Paine: Viral pamphlet; reprinted freely.

  • Libelles of Marie Antoinette: Pictorial and memorable to engage the illiterate.

Page 5: Technology of Communication - Radio

  • 20th Century Radio:

    • Used by Nazis for propaganda (Goebbels' influence).

    • Instrumental in valorizing in-group and vilifying outgroups.

  • Rwandan Genocide (1994): Role of radio in inciting violence against Tutsi minority.

Page 6: Technology of Communication – Internet

  • Rohingya in Myanmar: Persecution fueled by social media.

    • 2017: Violence against Rohingya; misinformation spread via Facebook.

  • Facebook's Weak Enforcement: Poorly managed hate speech policies; limited language support.

Page 7: Love Jihad – Anti-Muslim Campaign in India

  • Campaign Origin: Started by right-wing Hindu nationalists in 2009.

  • Rhetorical Strategies:

    • Use of repetition, engaging questions, hashtags, and sensational language.

  • Media Integration: Opposing views depicted unpersuasively in broadcast content.

Page 8: Facebook and Hate Speech in India

  • CIB Standards: Prohibits coordinated inauthentic behavior.

  • Military Influence Operation (2020): Fake accounts promoting political agendas in Kashmir.

  • Consequences: Weak enforcement of standards; domestic conflicts affecting moderation.

Page 9: What to do?

  • Whistleblower: Francine Haugen's testimony on Facebook's misconduct.

    • Highlights mental health concerns and potential risks due to platform's practices.