David Souter argues that the absence of international standards for platform regulation allows authoritarians to restrict as they wish, but he adds some qualifications if UNESCO's bid to create relevant principles is to succeed. #commodon #InternetForTrust #RebootTheNet https://www.apc.org/en/blog/inside-digital-society-making-platforms-accountable

So what insights came from a panel organized by Research ICT Africa at the recent UNESCO conference on developing principles for platform regulation? A short news article here: https://researchictafrica.net/2023/02/24/ria-research-enriches-unesco-debates/ #InternetForTrust #RebootTheNet

There should be requirements for independent assessment of metrics in terms of how policy implementation is working and provide for independent monitoring and auditing of policy implementation. Working paper for UNESCO conference https://researchictafrica.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Part-2.pdf
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Platform companies can be compelled to undertake appropriate scenario planning & implement due diligence exercises into the full range of risks anticipated in upcoming trends, and to provide detail on how they will mitigate these through policy and implementation measures.
Working paper for UNESCO conference https://researchictafrica.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Part-2.pdf
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Statutory authorities should not seek to take over the direct policy formulation nor the ongoing moderation work by the companies themselves, but they can set objectives, policy standards and process benchmarks that apply to solo-, self- and co-regulatory mechanisms which can ensure more effective performance by the platforms themselves.
Working paper for UNESCO conference https://researchictafrica.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Part-2.pdf
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In regard to mechanisms for policy implementation, there is generally an absence of institutional frameworks for inter-platform co-operation. However, there are increasing reports of inter-company co-operation against influence operations.
Working paper for UNESCO conference https://researchictafrica.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Part-2.pdf
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Platforms’ weaknesses in implementing their own policies come back to the governance status quo where companies are free to choose if, how and when they might assess their performance, and the range of what should be assessed
Working paper for UNESCO conference https://researchictafrica.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Part-2.pdf
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Pre- and post- impact assessment is an area of noticeable weakness, with little being done by most companies, and poor transparency amongst the few who do.
Working paper for UNESCO conference https://researchictafrica.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Part-2.pdf
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A key problem is the problem of companies’ monitoring of their own policy implementation of policy, in which they both set the metrics themselves and do their own evaluation. The result is that monitoring is generally self-serving and patchy.
Working paper for UNESCO conference https://researchictafrica.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Part-2.pdf
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Platforms elide tensions that arise between curational design & policy objectives. Thus, a major blind spot in regard to their policies is how the company should moderate content violates their terms of service, when business-driven algorithms promote the self-same material in various ways
Working paper for UNESCO conference https://researchictafrica.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Part-2.pdf
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