COVID-19 has forced us all, abruptly, to live our lives largely online — from work, finances, education, healthcare, politics, and socializing, hyperconnectivity is now a necessity rather than a choice. At the same time, governments, tech companies, and even criminals are exploiting opportunities created by the pandemic to shape online narratives, censor critical speech, build new technological systems of social control, and exploit critical vulnerabilities. From WhatsApp’s new privacy policy staging concerns for secure and encrypted platforms to Twitter and various social media sites abusing powers to limit free speech, 2021 is already pushing us to consider urgent questions around the future of democracy, freedom of speech, and privacy. Liberty is a complex and sensitive architecture; without proper oversight and consideration, far-reaching decisions made by governments and tech giants can be grave. There is an urgent need, now more than ever, for us to collaboratively navigate and protect our digital futures.

On March 17th-19th, 2021 the World Ethical Data Forum will host leading experts and audiences from around the globe to engage in crucial discussions on the current and future concerns surrounding digital surveillance and privacy, cybersecurity, disinformation, algorithmic bias, media freedoms, civil liberties and more.

 

“Discussion in good faith remains the very best technology we have for correcting the course of policy and of human behaviour and for the reforging of our creative and moral intuitions. With the potential civil and political consequences of data's abuse so severe, seldom has the need for effective dialogue been as great.”

(John Marshall, CEO of World Ethical Data Forum)

The World Ethical Data Digital Forum encourages the collaboration of seemingly competing worlds, from technology and big business, government and security agencies, policymakers and the media, to human rights lawyers, whistleblowers, and privacy and transparency advocates, bringing to the stage a diverse range of voices. The forum has already confirmed highly influential speakers and panelists such as Cory Doctorow, a multi-award winning novelist and technology activist; Mikko Hyppönen, global cybersecurity expert; and Anne-Marie Eklund Löwinder, Chief Information Security Officer at the Swedish Internet Foundation.

Join us in defining the most crucial discussion of our time. More information and tickets can be found here. If you or your organization would like to help strengthen WEDF's inclusivity by becoming a Patron to applicants for Special Admission tickets, we warmly invite you to apply. Tickets purchased under this initiative will immediately be made available to qualifying Special Admission applicants. To see how you can help provide somebody with the opportunity to attend this crucial event please see our ticket page linked above.

If you have any further questions please contact our Press Officer Saniya Dhanjani 

Email: saniya@worldethicaldata.org