Surveillance Capitalism

Balding: Universities Appease China, Ignore Human Rights Abuses

August 10, 2020

According to Fulbright Professor Christopher Balding, ignoring the manner in which the Chinese Communist Party suppresses critical inquiry and free thinking, American universities are engaging in the lucrative practice of enrolling an increasing number of non-resident tuition-paying Chinese Nationals.
Doshi: Pollution and Human Rights Abuses from Mining for Minerals Used in EV Batteries Undermines Carbon Emissions Savings

August 10, 2020

Writing in Forbes, Tilak Doshi argues that environmental activists pushing for reductions in carbon emissions from internal combustible engines ignore the tremendous pollution and human rights abuses arising from the mining of minerals used in the production of lithium-ion rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles, especially in Africa, China, and Latin America.
Right Aid uses Facial Recognition Technology in Hundreds of its Stores Nationwide

July 29, 2020

Reuters: Rite Aid installed facial recognition technology over the last eight years from a company with links to China's authoritarian government in over 200 stores nationwide, mainly in metro New York and L.A.
Politico: Digital Tax on U.S. Tech Giants Faces Headwinds

July 29, 2020

According to Politico, the prospect of a Europe-wide digital tax on digital giants such as Google, Facebook, and Amazon is meeting bi-partisan headwinds from the Trump Administration and U.S. lawmakers, who, in response, have threatened to impose tariffs on popular U.S. imports of national products from Europe.
Advertising Giants Agree to Evaluate Mutual Definition of Hate Speech

July 20, 2020

The Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM), which includes advertising giants and big tech companies, is evaluating whether it is possible to develop an industry-wide standard, but non-binding, definition of what constitutes "hate speech."
U.S. Warns Firms About Sanctions for Work on Russian Pipelines

July 20, 2020

U.S. Secretary of State Pompeo announced that sanctions will be placed on firms working on the installation of the Russian pipeline Nord Stream 2, calling the project “the Kremlin's key tool to exploit and expand European dependence on Russian energy supplies” that “ultimately undermine transatlantic security.”
Davis: Ignore China's Bullying on Huawei 5G Decisions

July 15, 2020

In response to the comment of Beijing's Ambassador to the UK that Britain would "bear the consequences" of not using Huawei's 5G technology, former Tory Cabinet Minister David Davis explains that bullying is a regular part of the Chinese government's playbook.
BBC: UK Prepares to Change Course on 5G Kit Supplier Huawei

July 15, 2020

UK ministers have decided, just six months after agreeing that Huawei would have a limited role, that the Chinese company will be excluded in the future, with no new 5G equipment installed from next year.
BBC: New Wearable Tracking Device Sparks Fear of Surveillance State in Singapore

July 07, 2020

According to BBC, fears of a surveillance state are being expressed ,as the Singapore government develops a wearable device to complement the island's existing contact-tracing app to identify people who might have been infected by those who have tested positive for the Coronavirus.
Facebook, Social Media Under Pressure from Brands to Address Hate Speech

July 01, 2020

Big retailers, including Starbucks, Coca-Cola, Unilever, Hershey, Honda, Eddie Bauer, The North Face, Levi's, Ben & Jerry's, and Verizon, are withholding advertising to pressure Facebook and other social media platforms to better monitor online hate speech.