Issues

Techno-Policing

Technology could help make the criminal justice system more egalitarian. Technologies could reduce racially motivated police violence, racial profiling, and under-enforcement of crime in communities of color.

Borders and Bits

Governments seek to regulate and access data stored outside of their traditional territorial limits. Private multinational companies that process data have become key players in shaping privacy and free speech rights.

Ten Simple Rules for Responsible Big Data Research

Use of big data in academic and industry research is growing. Studies of human psychology, biology, and behavior must be ethical. Researchers should start by recognizing that careless use of data can be harmful.

Cyber-Attacks–Prevention-Reactions: The Role of States and Private Actors

Cyber-attacks are a growing threat to peace and security. Private actors play a leading role in ensuring that digital technologies are secure from cyber-attacks.

Deterring Cybercrime: Focus on Intermediaries

Cybercriminals rely on intermediary firms such as banks, and shippers to sell products and collect payments. Governments, intellectual property owners, and technology companies can police cybercriminals by policing these intermediaries, but this raises due process and fairness concerns.

Scale Effects in Web Search

This study considers how learning affects competition between search engines. As learning proceeds, it tends to slow down. Could a new search engine with a better algorithm overcome a large search engine with more data?

Free Speech in the Algorithmic Society: Big Data, Private Governance, and New School Speech Regulation

Traditional free speech doctrines protect speakers from state censorship. The rise of big data, algorithmic decision-making, and digital media companies alters the nature of free speech concerns.

Soft Law: New Tools for Governing Emerging Technologies

Traditionally, nations harmonized their own regulation of new technologies with the rules of other nations through negotiation of international treaties. "Soft law" tools such as private standards and codes of conduct are less resource-intensive than treaties.

The Age of Weaponized Narrative

Technology and advances in psychology make it possible for other nations and groups to use “weaponized” narratives to undermine their adversaries. Increasingly, Russia and China are using these methods against the United States.

Taming the Golem: Challenges of Ethical Algorithmic Decision-Making

Any algorithm can be biased. However, policy-neutral algorithms should be distinguished from policy-directed algorithms, those purposely designed to pursue a policy agenda.