As the United States wrestles with the impact of online content — from children’s safety to AI deepfakes — the United Kingdom has passed a sweeping Online Safety Bill, delegating implementation to the Office of Communications (Ofcom). On November 9, Ofcom released the draft of its approach to balancing protections with free speech rights. It is the most comprehensive effort undertaken by any Western government to date.
On November 30, the Center for Technology Innovation at Brookings hosted Ofcom Chief Executive Dame Melanie Dawes to discuss the challenges faced by liberal democracies in dealing with online content. Dame Melanie Dawes was also be joined in conversation by Frances Haugen, a data engineer and scientist who made the courageous decision to blow the whistle on Facebook’s content practices.
Viewers submitted questions for speakers by emailing [email protected] or via Twitter at @BrookingsGov by using #SafetyOnline.
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Agenda
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November 30
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Panel discussion
Dame Melanie Dawes Executive Board Member and Chief Executive - OfcomFrances Haugen Author - The Power of One: Blowing the Whistle on Facebook, Advocate for accountability and transparency in social media @FrancesHaugen
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