By María Isabel Puerta Riera Democracy Dies on the Net The news that Twitter reinstated former President Trump's account over the weekend sent shockwaves across the country and around the world. The suspension was motivated by the risk of the former president's insistence on rejecting the results of the 2020 Presidential Election would bring more violence. There... Continue Reading →
By María Isabel Puerta Riera Misinformation Widens the Political Divide The 2016 presidential election introduced new elements into political campaigns through information technology. The Cambridge Analytica scandal was part of a broader scheme to influence the electorate, particularly among those more vulnerable to misinformation. Of course, the role foreign entities played is still largely under debate. Nonetheless, it... Continue Reading →
Allie Funk is the Research Director for Technology and Democracy at Freedom House. She was deeply involved in this year's Freedom on the Net report and coauthored the executive summary "Countering an Authoritarian Overhaul of the Internet" along with Adrian Shahbaz and Kian Vesteinsson. Become a Patron! Make a one-time Donation to Democracy Paradox.... Continue Reading →
Become a Patron! The Internet of Things and National Security The internet of things just seems silly to me. It across to me as another intrusion into our lives, but without the benefits of products like a smart phone. Over time I have come to appreciate the ability to access so much information at my finger... Continue Reading →
Aynne Kokas is an associate professor of media studies and the C.K. Yen Chair at the University of Virginia’s Miller Center. Her most recent book is Trafficking Data: How China Is Winning the Battle for Digital Sovereignty. Her article "How Beijing Runs the Show in Hollywood" was published in this April's issue of Journal of Democracy.... Continue Reading →
Ronald Deibert is a professor of political science at the Munk School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto and the Director of the Citizen Lab. He recently gave the 18th annual Seymour Martin Lipset Lecture at the National Endowment for Democracy. Its title was “Digital Subversion: The Threat to Democracy.” His article, “Subversion Inc:... Continue Reading →
Larry Diamond once referred to the internet as a form of "liberation technology." But his most recent writings have warned of a "postmodern totalitarianism." Most of the democracy literature on the internet has focused on social media and artificial intelligence. However, the sharing economy has had a similar impact on capitalism and society. Uber, Lyft,... Continue Reading →
