Declaration of Digital Autonomy
*planted: 23/09/2020last tended: 27/11/2021
From the Software Freedom Conservancy. I like the focus on consent, ownership, right to change/repair, privacy. Too end-user focused though, I'd want some mention of the producers of technology… there shouldn't be any exploitation anywhere in the supply chain.
They don't really state what they mean by Autonomy - I'll take it as the definition of "freedom to act without being controlled by others or manipulated by covert influences".
Describes 4 top-level principles of 'ethical technology'.
- in service of the people who use it
- informed consent
- empowering individual and collective digital action
- protect people's privacy and other rights by design
Like that it gives some specific points for each of them.
0.1. in service of the people who use it
- freedom from surveillance, data gathering, data sales, and vendor and file format lock-in
0.2. informed consent
- study and understand the technology
- what information is being collected and stored
0.3. empowering individual and collective digital action
- ability to change what you are using
- ability to replace software on a device they have purchased
- ability to repair the technology
0.4. protect people's privacy and other rights by design
- privacy
- open communication
- safety to develop ideas without fear of monitoring, risk, or retribution
1. Some additions I'd want
- doesn't really give any definition of what is meant by digital, autonomy, and technology. The title references 'digital autonomy', then 'ethical technology' is the focus in the body. I guess they're saying ethical technology should provide digital autonomy?
- very focused on the user - but technology must be free from violence and exploitation throughout the supply chain;
- who is it aimed at… who is we?
2. Elsewhere
2.1. In my garden
Notes that link to this note (AKA backlinks).