37C3 Sendezentrum - Who Killed The Internet? And a promising alternative for Public Communication …

Explore the future of public communication on the internet, discussing the limitations of YouTube and the potential of Fediverse as an alternative, and the challenges of ownership, moderation, and data protection.

Key takeaways
  • The current state of the public internet is being dominated by private companies (e.g., YouTube) and there is a need for a alternative platform for public communication.
  • The European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) has proposed the use of the Fediverse (a decentralized social network) for public communication, citing concerns about data protection and transparency.
  • The proposal has faced criticism, including concerns about moderation and the need for large staff numbers to handle comments and user interactions.
  • The EDPS has acknowledged that the development of the Fediverse will require effort and resources from data protection authorities and other organizations.
  • There are questions about who should host the Fediverse and take responsibility for its operation.
  • Some have suggested that the European Parliament or the European Data Protection Board could take on this role, while others have advocated for a decentralized approach with multiple organizations contributing to the project.
  • The speakers express concerns about the abilities of public administration and politicians to keep track of the volume of comments and user interactions, which could lead to overwork and difficulty in verifying authenticity of content.
  • There are also questions about how to ensure data protection and moderation within the Fediverse, including concerns about the potential burden on small institutions or organizations.
  • The speakers encourage involvement and participation from all organizations and entities in the development of the Fediverse.