I killed my Facebook account several years ago for various reasons, one of which was data privacy. And that was pre-Cambridge Analytica. In the years since, FB’s actions have become even more concerning.
Ad targeting doesn’t necessarily have to be inherently evil. However, it’s useful and important to know how your data is captured and shared and the bias architected into that process. We can all be more intentional and diligent on this front, myself included. While I’m not on Facebook, I run this business using plenty of tools and platforms that are continuously collecting data about me, my habits, and behaviors within said platforms. I begrudgingly accept that discomfort while I continue to educate myself and my kids. It’s a good reminder that while we all use “free” online tools, we’re giving up something in exchange.
This page will continue to evolve as I dig up and learn about more resources.
Books to Read
- Weapons of Math Destruction: How Big data Increases Inequality and Threatens Democracy by Cathy O’Neil
- Algorithms of Oppression: How Search Engines Reinforce Racism by Safiya Umoja Noble
- The Age of Surveillance Capitalism: The Fight for a Human Future at the New Frontier of Power by Shoshana Zuboff
- Data and Goliath: The Hidden Battles to Collect Your Data and Control Your World by Bruce Schneier
Websites/Organizations to Explore
- Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society at Harvard University | Principled Artificial Intelligence: MAPPING CONSENSUS IN ETHICAL AND RIGHTS-BASED APPROACHES TO PRINCIPLES FOR AI
- Principles of Humane Technology
- Irrational Labs
- Ida B. Wells Just Data Lab
- Data for Black Lives
- Algorithmic Justice League
- Beijing AI Principles
- Data Ethics 4 All
- IBM AI Fairness 360 toolkit
- Explore AI Ethics
- AI4ALL
- The Real Facebook Oversight Board
Documentaries to Watch
Other Interesting Articles/Tools
- Dragging AI: Teaching teens to resist facial recognition software via The Algorithmic Justice League newsletter
- How private browsing works in Chrome
- Incognito browser: What it really means | Mozilla
- Online Tracking | FTC Consumer Information
- How to increase your privacy online | The Verge
- Blacklight – The Markup | A Real-Time Website Privacy Inspector by Surya Mattu
Keeping Your Kids Safe Online
- UNICEF Policy Guidance on AI for Children
- Artificial Intelligence for Children: Beijing Principles
- COPPA FAQs (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act)
- SuperAwesome
- Common Sense Media
Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash