Center for Democracy & Technology
Recent News About Center for Democracy & Technology
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On Monday, the Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) joined an amicus brief led by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF). The brief is in support of a petition for rehearing en banc in the case of Anderson v. TikTok. Other organizations involved include the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), Public Knowledge, Reason Foundation, and Wikimedia Foundation.
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The Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) has announced the addition of Dr. Lorrie Cranor to its Board of Directors. Dr. Cranor is recognized for her expertise in privacy, security, and public policy and is currently part of the faculty at Carnegie Mellon University.
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The Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) has responded to the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) request for comments on the latest draft of the Digital Identity Guidelines. This marks the second public draft of revision four of Special Publication 800-63.
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AI chatbots have become a significant part of daily life, with many people using them for various tasks. However, AI romantic companions, a specific type of chatbot, are not as widely recognized. These companions play a personal role for users, making data privacy practices crucial. Concerns arise because many developers lack mature privacy and security protocols, leaving sensitive user data unprotected.
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Last week, the Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) hosted a symposium to discuss child safety online. The event brought together academics, researchers, digital rights advocates, and government representatives to explore how research can inform policy decisions in this area.
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The Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT) has urged the European Commission to uphold children's fundamental rights in the digital space. Online services are essential for young people, providing them with access to information, online communities, educational resources, and support for mental or physical health issues.
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Free expression is essential in democratic societies, but speaking truth to power can pose risks. This challenge is recognized by journalists and human rights defenders globally, and increasingly by researchers in academia and civil society.
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The Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) and the University of Pittsburgh have released a report titled "Hated More: Online Violence Targeting Women of Color Candidates in the 2024 US Election." This research examines the nature of online offensive and hate speech directed at candidates running for Congress, with a focus on women of color.
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The Centre for Democracy & Technology Europe (CDT Europe) has released its latest Tech Policy Brief, addressing significant technology and internet policy issues currently debated in Europe. The brief includes perspectives on digital rights and highlights the involvement of CDT Europe’s team based in Brussels.
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The Center for Digital Technology (CDT) has released a report titled "Moderating Maghrebi Arabic Content on Social Media," highlighting the challenges and implications of moderating content in Maghrebi Arabic dialects in North Africa. The report is part of a CDT series investigating biases and disparities in content moderation within the Global South.
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In the June 2024 Trump-Biden debate, a notable adherence to rules and procedures was observed. Unlike their 2019 debate, where interruptions were frequent, the candidates this time waited their turn to speak. This change was attributed not to a shift in political culture but to an audio adjustment: microphones were only functional during designated speaking periods.
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This week marked the 30th anniversary of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), the international standards body for the web. The W3C's birthday is on October 1, and a celebration event was held in California on September 24 during the annual technical plenary week of meetings. Many participants joined both in person and online.
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The Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) has released a report titled "In Deep Trouble: Surfacing Tech-Powered Sexual Harassment in K-12 Schools." The report highlights the growing issue of non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII), including deepfakes, within public K-12 schools during the 2023-2024 school year.
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In September 2022, the European Commission introduced the AI Liability Directive (AILD), a draft framework for civil liability rules allowing individuals to claim damages caused by AI systems. Discussions on this directive were paused pending the adoption of the AI Act and an impact assessment report by the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS). With the release of this report, debate on the AILD has resumed.
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Digital platform companies such as Uber, TaskRabbit, and Amazon are central to today's economy, connecting consumers to products and services and workers to various labor markets. An estimated 16% of people in the United States have engaged in platform-mediated gig work, with over half relying on this income for basic needs.
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CDT’s Aliya Bhatia and Ariana Aboulafia have collaborated on a new op-ed that was published in Teen Vogue on September 24, 2024. The article discusses the impact of age verification technology on young disabled people.
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Less than two months after the AI Act came into force, oversight bodies have started meeting to discuss its implementation. The AI Board held its first official meeting, focusing on the Commission’s initial deliverables related to the Act and sharing best practices for national AI governance. Currently, the AI Board is the only active oversight body created by the AI Act. There is no public information available about the multistakeholder Advisory Forum or the Scientific Panel.
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The Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) has released a report titled "Improving Governance Outcomes Through AI Documentation: Bridging Theory and Practice." The report emphasizes the importance of AI documentation as a tool for governing AI systems, providing stakeholders both within and outside AI organizations with insights into the development, functionality, and risks associated with these systems.
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The Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) has highlighted the increasing use of data and algorithms in personalized pricing, also known as "bespoke pricing." This practice involves tailoring prices based on a consumer's identity, preferences, and situation. While some view this as a form of dynamic pricing with potential benefits, others criticize it as invasive and potentially exploitative.
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The Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) has aligned with over 120 other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in opposition to H.R. 9495, a proposed bill that could allow the Treasury Department to revoke an organization's tax-exempt status without due process. The bill would enable the Secretary of the Treasury to label a domestic non-profit organization as a "terrorist supporting organization" and remove its tax exemption if it is found to have provided "material support" to a terrorist group.