On November 15th and 16th, 2024, Nilay Shah and Syed Mohammad Haroon, Volunteer Counsels and Vignesh, Technologist at SFLC.in, attended the 6th Digital Citizen Summit 2024 in Hyderabad organised by the Digital Empowerment Foundation. The theme of the event was Algorithms, AI and Accountability. SFLC.in hosted two panels at the event.
The first panel on 15th November, 2024 was a discussion on “AI, Gig Workers, and Dignity of Labour“. The panel was attended by Prof. Balaji Parthasarathy (Professor, IIIT B), Shaik Salauddin (Founder, Telangana Gig and Platform Workers’ Union), Asif Ali Zaidi (Volunteer Counsel, SFLC.in), and was moderated by Nilay Shah (Volunteer Counsel, SFLC.in). The Panel was attended by 40 attendees in person. The discussion delved into the questions of law, equity, and the impact of Artificial Intelligence adoption on Gig Workers. We discussed the issues surrounding how algorithms decide fares, travel distance, and hours of work for gig workers. The lack of a transparent mechanism and the wider ramifications of such programmes, along with real life instances of AI based challenges faced by gig workers were discussed at length. On the aspects of law, the Panel discussed the non implementation of the Social Security Code, 2020 and the Rajasthan and Karnataka Draft. The problems with the definition of gig workers, and why the claims of partnership between platform aggregators and gig workers fall short of reality were also highlighted. The Supreme Court of India’s stance on human dignity and labour and why technology should not rob them of their valuable rights was also raised.
The second panel on 16th November, 2024 was a discussion titled “Shadow Banning: How should platforms govern the flow of speech and information?” and delved into one of the most controversial issues in today’s digital age. The Panel was attended by Syed Mohammad Haroon (Volunteer Counsel, SFLC.in), Shruti Narayan (Asia Pacific Policy Counsel, Access Now), Swinnery (Content Creator, Pakistan), and was moderated by Nilay Shah (Volunteer Counsel, SFLC.in). The Panel was attended by 40 attendees in person.
The panel explored several critical themes surrounding the issue. It began with an exploration of what shadow banning is and its potential implications, both positive and negative. The conversation then shifted to the challenges of ensuring transparency in content moderation while protecting the proprietary nature of platform algorithms. Ethical considerations surrounding free speech were examined, with a focus on how shadow banning can impact users’ rights and freedom of expression. The discussion also touched on the justification of shadow banning in curbing misinformation and the need for a balanced regulatory framework that safeguards free speech without stifling it.
Finally, the complexities of regulating intermediaries and platforms in a way that respects both independence and socio-political realities were debated, raising important questions about how to maintain a fair and transparent digital ecosystem. The session ended with an engaging Q&A, with live audience members contributing their thoughts on how we can achieve a balanced, fair, and transparent approach to content moderation.
Vignesh, Technologist-SFLC.in, interacted with delegates and attendees at the SFLC.in Community Booth. Visitors expressed interest in SFLC.in’s objective to protect digital rights and contributed to support SFLC.in’s mission to protect digital freedoms. Vignesh also conducted mini Digital Security Trainings for the attendees at the booth.
