Digital Rights Conference 2024
Bringing together digital rights professionals, experts, lawyers, journalists, and local communities, the two-day conference delved into the history of the Philippine Internet while addressing a spectrum of current and emerging issues. Discussions ranged from artificial intelligence, privacy, and cybersecurity to access, inclusion, gender, and freedom of expression. This gathering aimed to dissect the multifaceted landscape of digital rights in the country, fostering dialogue and collaboration among diverse stakeholders.
Two main personal highlights of the conference that comprehensively addressed key aspects of digital rights are the sessions on Critical Information Infrastructure and Emerging Technologies, as well as Cybersecurity: Aligning GRC Principles and Digital Rights. These sessions provided valuable insights into the evolving landscape of technology and its impact on digital rights.
Sufficient provision of laws and a positive change in culture were the central themes that emerged from the former session. Throughout these discussions, there was a clear recognition of the importance of legal frameworks in safeguarding digital rights, particularly concerning critical information infrastructure and emerging technologies. While these advancements undoubtedly enhance people's way of living by making it easier and more convenient through the improvement of products and services, there was also the disturbing concern regarding the misuse of data. What makes this more concerning is that customers are not really equipped to understand what these entities can do with their data. In our increasingly data-driven world, the gap between the capabilities of companies and the awareness of consumers regarding data usage becomes more apparent. As one of the speakers involved in the National Privacy Commission stated, it becomes a “push and pull between companies and customers.” Despite the benefits of technology, individuals often lack a comprehensive understanding of how their personal information is collected, stored, and utilized by various entities. This information disparity places consumers at a disadvantage, leaving them vulnerable to potential exploitation and privacy violations.
With this in mind, civil society organizations play a crucial role in bridging the gap between government capabilities and consumer awareness. By advocating for digital rights and educating both consumers and companies about the implications of their actions, these organizations contribute significantly to creating a more informed and equitable digital landscape. However, the pressing need for regulators to adapt swiftly to technological advancements to ensure the protection of individual rights still remains. The underlying issue is that there is no entity providing the imperative for regulators to learn these aspects, and we are uncertain if those in positions truly comprehend what the technology can and cannot do. In line with this, the Artificial Intelligence Act of the EU was also discussed. The section on banned applications reads:
- The new rules ban certain AI applications that threaten citizens’ rights, including biometric categorisation systems based on sensitive characteristics and untargeted scraping of facial images from the internet or CCTV footage to create facial recognition databases. Emotion recognition in the workplace and schools, social scoring, predictive policing (when it is based solely on profiling a person or assessing their characteristics), and AI that manipulates human behaviour or exploits people’s vulnerabilities will also be forbidden.
According to a lawyer who is also a Master Privacy Trainer, permissionless innovation indeed presents challenges. He indicated that a possible solution to this is employing regulatory sandboxing to determine if applications have any impact on fundamental rights and freedoms. This approach can also help address the knowledge gap and prompt individuals to consider whether they are merely "in love with the fad" or if they genuinely comprehend the developments in AI. Additionally, the operation of AI is “use case to use case” meaning to say that sometimes it can be exploited, sometimes it can be used for good.
By emphasizing the dual importance of legal frameworks and cultural shifts, the collective responsibility to safeguard individuals' rights in the digital age was underscored. Through continued efforts in legislation, education, and advocacy, the session aimed to pave the way for a more equitable and rights-respecting digital landscape.
