Technology & Democracy

We explore ways to reduce harms associated with social media, artificial intelligence, online gaming, and 3D immersive platforms.

Politics and public life in the United States and certain other democracies around the world have taken a turn toward extreme polarization, with distrust of democratic institutions on the rise. We examine how major technology companies are exacerbating these problems by facilitating the creation and distribution of harmful online content. We focus on social media, artificial intelligence, gaming, and 3D immersive platforms. In all instances, we pair our analysis with practical recommendations for how industry and government can better regulate digital products and services in the interest of protecting democracy.

 

Addressing 3D Immersive Technology
Immersive technologies powering the "metaverse" pose serious threats to consumer privacy and safety.
Combating Extremism in Online Gaming
Online gaming companies, which boast more than three billion consumers globally, have been slow to counteract the exploitation of their sites by violent extremists and other bad actors.
Regulating Social Media and Encrypted Technology
In the absence of adequate tech industry self-regulation, government needs to extend more systematic oversight of companies like Meta, Google, TikTok, and X.
Safeguarding AI
Digital products built with generative artificial intelligence hold great promise but also can facilitate fraud, disinformation campaigns, and cyberattacks.
Supreme Court Advocacy
We file friend-of-the-court (amicus) briefs in leading U.S. Supreme Court cases that bear on the effects of technology on democracy.
Working Group on Gaming and Regulation
We are a multi-stakeholder working group seeking to advance constructive regulation of the online gaming industry.

Publications

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Working Group 2 – QT
Policy Recommendation
Feedback to the European Commission on Its Draft Guidelines on the Protection of Minors Online Under Article 28(4) of the Digital Services Act

The Working Group on Gaming and Regulation submitted feedback on the European Commission’s Draft Guidelines on the Protection of Minors Online under Article 28(4) of the Digital Services Act, supporting a child-rights-based approach and calling for strong safeguards against exploitative design and monetisation in gaming.

cover of Michael Posner's book, Conscience Incorporated on top of a blue background
Book
Conscience Incorporated

In his new book Conscience Incorporated, Michael Posner, director of the Center for Business and Human Rights, offers practical strategies and bold reforms to help businesses align profitability with ethical responsibility.

Press

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Quick Takes

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Past Events

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