In a world increasingly shaped by technology, the Legal Resources Centre's Democratising Big Tech dives into critical conversations at the intersection of techn...
Welcome to Legal Resources Radio! In this episode, we dive into the intriguing and sometimes alarming world of political microtargeting—the use of data-driven advertising to influence voter behavior.
Joining host Kimal Harvey, a Candidate Attorney at the Legal Resources Centre, are two remarkable guests: Dr. Charlene Kreuser, Attorney at the Legal Resources Centre, and Joseph Theuri Gitonga, Lead Data Scientist from Strathmore University. Together, they unpack the complexities of ad tech, explore its role in online political campaigning, and reveal findings from their groundbreaking report.
Key questions explored in this episode include:
-What is political microtargeting, and how does it work?
-How are South African political parties leveraging ad tech to shape campaigns?
-What data is being collected, and are our privacy rights being violated?
-How does South African legislation, such as POPIA, compare to international standards in regulating microtargeting?
-What can be done to protect voters and ensure accountability in this evolving digital landscape?
Joseph shares fascinating insights from his computational analysis of Facebook’s ad data, revealing how ads are categorized, the topics they address, and who they target. Meanwhile, Charlene discusses the legal implications, gaps in current laws, and the urgent need for legislative reform and enhanced digital literacy.
Whether you’re a legal professional, a data enthusiast, or simply curious about how technology shapes politics, this episode offers an enlightening and thought-provoking conversation.
Tune in now, and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and follow us on social media @LegalResourcesSA for more insights from the world of social justice and advocacy!
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Online Harassment and Disinformation
🎙️ In our debut episode of Legal Resources Radio, we explore two of the most urgent challenges of the digital age: online harassment and disinformation. These pervasive issues threaten democracy, media freedom, and human rights, creating a chilling effect on those who dare to speak out. How do we combat these threats while safeguarding free expression and ensuring accountability in the digital landscape?
Joining us to unpack these critical topics is Karyn Maughan, one of South Africa’s most respected legal journalists. With over two decades of experience covering the nation’s most high-profile legal cases and a reputation for fearless reporting, Karyn brings invaluable insights into the personal and societal impacts of these issues. As someone who has faced online harassment firsthand, she sheds light on the broader implications for journalism, democracy, and the fight for human rights.
In a world increasingly shaped by technology, the Legal Resources Centre's Democratising Big Tech dives into critical conversations at the intersection of technology, law, and human rights. From the shadowy underbelly of misinformation and disinformation to the pervasive threats of surveillance, hacking, and cybersecurity, this initiative unpacks the pressing issues that impact communities worldwide.
We explore topics like:
- The ethical and legal implications of surveillance technology and spyware.
- How misinformation and disinformation campaigns influence elections, media, and society.
- The systemic challenges of online discrimination, sexism, and xenophobia.
- The balance between privacy rights and national security in the digital age.
Through expert interviews, real-life stories, and legal insights, Democratising Big Tech aims to shed light on how individuals and communities can navigate, challenge, and transform the digital revolution to ensure accountability, transparency, and equity in Big Tech.
Join us to unpack the big questions surrounding Big Tech and chart a path toward a more just, equitable digital future.
South Africa