S G Dickinson
@sgdickinson.bsky.social
Internet & digital policy, government use of ICTs, women in IT. I tweet live from relevant meetings.
#ICANN84 "Geopolitical Forum: #WSIS+20 focus" is now underway in Dublin.
If you haven't registered for ICANN84, you can still follow the public live transcript:
www.streamtext.net/player/trans...
And archived Zoom will be linked later from agenda page:
icann84.sched.com/event/29QIK/...
If you haven't registered for ICANN84, you can still follow the public live transcript:
www.streamtext.net/player/trans...
And archived Zoom will be linked later from agenda page:
icann84.sched.com/event/29QIK/...
20251027-auditorium : Transcript
www.streamtext.net
October 27, 2025 at 10:56 AM
#ICANN84 "Geopolitical Forum: #WSIS+20 focus" is now underway in Dublin.
If you haven't registered for ICANN84, you can still follow the public live transcript:
www.streamtext.net/player/trans...
And archived Zoom will be linked later from agenda page:
icann84.sched.com/event/29QIK/...
If you haven't registered for ICANN84, you can still follow the public live transcript:
www.streamtext.net/player/trans...
And archived Zoom will be linked later from agenda page:
icann84.sched.com/event/29QIK/...
#ICANN84: the churn of GAC reps continues - 32 new GAC reps joined GAC since #ICANN83 in June.
Note: constant turnover of GAC reps means there's always a need for capacity-building. It also means many newbie questions get asked in GAC sessions that otherwise would be deep dives on policy issues.
Note: constant turnover of GAC reps means there's always a need for capacity-building. It also means many newbie questions get asked in GAC sessions that otherwise would be deep dives on policy issues.
October 25, 2025 at 8:59 AM
And as #ICANN84 is now underway, it's time for my regular meeting reminder about how to get the live transcript back to the start of a session if you happen to come late into a session:
October 25, 2025 at 8:14 AM
And as #ICANN84 is now underway, it's time for my regular meeting reminder about how to get the live transcript back to the start of a session if you happen to come late into a session:
#ICANN84 is just getting underway in Dublin. As usual, I'll be concentrating on the GAC (Governmental Advisory Committee). Full ICANN84 schedule at:
ICANN84 | Annual General Meeting Schedule
Check out the schedule for ICANN84 | Annual General Meeting
icann84.sched.com
October 25, 2025 at 8:09 AM
#ICANN84 is just getting underway in Dublin. As usual, I'll be concentrating on the GAC (Governmental Advisory Committee). Full ICANN84 schedule at:
"Users of US TikTok won’t enjoy any more privacy than with Chinese TikTok, due to lack of meaningful regulation of social media companies. They'll still be pervasively surveilled as they use the Net, both to advertise at them & for intelligence services to profile them”
(Paraphrased to shorten)
(Paraphrased to shorten)
Australia may have to choose between a Chinese TikTok and one owned by Trump’s billionaire backers
Expert raises concerns about what US TikTok deal could mean for News Corp’s ‘worrying dominance’ in Australian media
www.theguardian.com
September 24, 2025 at 4:17 AM
"Users of US TikTok won’t enjoy any more privacy than with Chinese TikTok, due to lack of meaningful regulation of social media companies. They'll still be pervasively surveilled as they use the Net, both to advertise at them & for intelligence services to profile them”
(Paraphrased to shorten)
(Paraphrased to shorten)
TikTok US to lease a copy of ByteDance's existing algorithm; Oracle to 'retrain' the copy.
Retraining it along lines of FB, Twitter & Truth Social? US must be reaching saturation point for social media w algorithms pushing anger/misinfo. At least this retraining shouldn't affect folks outside US.
Retraining it along lines of FB, Twitter & Truth Social? US must be reaching saturation point for social media w algorithms pushing anger/misinfo. At least this retraining shouldn't affect folks outside US.
TikTok’s algorithm set to move from Chinese control to Big Tech under Trump deal
White House says it has finally reached an agreement with China to secure the future of the popular social video app in the U.S., with software giant Oracle taking responsibility for users’ data
www.independent.co.uk
September 23, 2025 at 5:09 AM
TikTok US to lease a copy of ByteDance's existing algorithm; Oracle to 'retrain' the copy.
Retraining it along lines of FB, Twitter & Truth Social? US must be reaching saturation point for social media w algorithms pushing anger/misinfo. At least this retraining shouldn't affect folks outside US.
Retraining it along lines of FB, Twitter & Truth Social? US must be reaching saturation point for social media w algorithms pushing anger/misinfo. At least this retraining shouldn't affect folks outside US.
'Clegg said the relationship between the UK and the US tech sector was “all one-way traffic” and that the announcements suited the companies.
He warned Britain was being “defanged” by simply fostering a greater reliance on the US tech sector, rather than building its own.'
He warned Britain was being “defanged” by simply fostering a greater reliance on the US tech sector, rather than building its own.'
Nick Clegg: US-UK tech deal is ‘sloppy seconds from Silicon Valley’
Meta’s former president of global affairs says agreement will leave UK more reliant on US tech firms
www.theguardian.com
September 21, 2025 at 6:23 AM
'Clegg said the relationship between the UK and the US tech sector was “all one-way traffic” and that the announcements suited the companies.
He warned Britain was being “defanged” by simply fostering a greater reliance on the US tech sector, rather than building its own.'
He warned Britain was being “defanged” by simply fostering a greater reliance on the US tech sector, rather than building its own.'
If this goes ahead, I wonder if the US govt & Big Tech companies recognise what a precedent this sets. Hard for the US to threaten extra tariffs on countries with “digital taxes, legislation, rules, or regulations" affecting US Big Tech when the US is basically doing the same thing with TikTok.
White House outlines TikTok deal that would give US control of algorithm
The White House said a deal could be signed "in the coming days", but Beijing is yet to comment.
www.bbc.com
September 21, 2025 at 5:16 AM
If this goes ahead, I wonder if the US govt & Big Tech companies recognise what a precedent this sets. Hard for the US to threaten extra tariffs on countries with “digital taxes, legislation, rules, or regulations" affecting US Big Tech when the US is basically doing the same thing with TikTok.
A good reminder why the current US administration's anti-DEI stance - & US-based Big Tech's widespread adoption of that - means it's more important than ever to nurture the development of tech & tech companies outside the US, so tech truly can meet the needs of a diverse world.
Social media ban trial data reveals racial bias in age checking software: just how inaccurate is it?
Young people from Indigenous and Asian backgrounds are more likely to be miscategorised as over the age limit and older people as underaged, analysis finds
www.theguardian.com
September 19, 2025 at 2:24 AM
A good reminder why the current US administration's anti-DEI stance - & US-based Big Tech's widespread adoption of that - means it's more important than ever to nurture the development of tech & tech companies outside the US, so tech truly can meet the needs of a diverse world.
This doesn't surprise me. I follow int'l stuff & that's partly because there's a distinct lack of engagement in both general human rights & digital governance issues in Oz. Sometimes Aussies can be too laid back for their own good. Digital rights & responsibility convos Down Under are very niche.
One in three Australians upload sensitive data to AI tools, report finds
Over one-third of Australian professionals upload sensitive company data to AI tools without formal oversight, raising significant security and compliance concerns.
itbrief.com.au
September 7, 2025 at 5:06 AM
This doesn't surprise me. I follow int'l stuff & that's partly because there's a distinct lack of engagement in both general human rights & digital governance issues in Oz. Sometimes Aussies can be too laid back for their own good. Digital rights & responsibility convos Down Under are very niche.
I remember when Russia would pretty much start every #UNcyberOEWG & AHC on Cybercrime criticizing USA for not meeting its UN HQ host obligations by refusing to issue delegates visas. Now that more countries are in USA's crosshairs, maybe it's time to move more meetings to the UN's non-US locations?
US considers ban on wholesale shopping and other visa restrictions for Iranians during UN meeting
The Trump administration has already denied visas for Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and his large delegation to attend the U.N. General Assembly later this month and is now considering ramping up r...
www.independent.co.uk
September 7, 2025 at 4:05 AM
I remember when Russia would pretty much start every #UNcyberOEWG & AHC on Cybercrime criticizing USA for not meeting its UN HQ host obligations by refusing to issue delegates visas. Now that more countries are in USA's crosshairs, maybe it's time to move more meetings to the UN's non-US locations?
The #WSIS+20 Draft Zero text is out!
Written inputs, in the form of text proposals, are open until 26 September. Send input, in MS Word format, by email to the Secretariat at [email protected]
Written inputs, in the form of text proposals, are open until 26 September. Send input, in MS Word format, by email to the Secretariat at [email protected]
publicadministration.desa.un.org
August 29, 2025 at 10:37 PM
The #WSIS+20 Draft Zero text is out!
Written inputs, in the form of text proposals, are open until 26 September. Send input, in MS Word format, by email to the Secretariat at [email protected]
Written inputs, in the form of text proposals, are open until 26 September. Send input, in MS Word format, by email to the Secretariat at [email protected]
When you accidentally stumble upon an echidna that then thinks that dashing into the shed & hiding under the lawn mower is a good idea! I’ll check in the morning to make sure it’s not stuck.
August 27, 2025 at 12:33 PM
When you accidentally stumble upon an echidna that then thinks that dashing into the shed & hiding under the lawn mower is a good idea! I’ll check in the morning to make sure it’s not stuck.
These are not lamingtons. The only thing they have in common with lamingtons is they're square. Lamingtons should be plain sponge cake dipped in choc sauce & maybe some jam between 2 sponge layers. A recipe so easy Year 1 kids can make them for school fundraisers. These are misnamed tiny cube cakes:
M&S brings Australia’s national treat the lamington to UK high street
Rich sponge cake topped with buttercream dates from 1890s and M&S version comes in two varieties
www.theguardian.com
August 27, 2025 at 7:38 AM
These are not lamingtons. The only thing they have in common with lamingtons is they're square. Lamingtons should be plain sponge cake dipped in choc sauce & maybe some jam between 2 sponge layers. A recipe so easy Year 1 kids can make them for school fundraisers. These are misnamed tiny cube cakes:
Things you really shouldn't be trying to tow and park across multiple bays with a large SUV on a small supermarket parking lot at peak shopping times on the weekend:
1. Multi-horse horse float
2. Large boat
Bonus points for getting stuck making the sharp turns between narrow parking aisles 🤦♀️
1. Multi-horse horse float
2. Large boat
Bonus points for getting stuck making the sharp turns between narrow parking aisles 🤦♀️
August 24, 2025 at 5:10 AM
Things you really shouldn't be trying to tow and park across multiple bays with a large SUV on a small supermarket parking lot at peak shopping times on the weekend:
1. Multi-horse horse float
2. Large boat
Bonus points for getting stuck making the sharp turns between narrow parking aisles 🤦♀️
1. Multi-horse horse float
2. Large boat
Bonus points for getting stuck making the sharp turns between narrow parking aisles 🤦♀️
Reposted by S G Dickinson
Reposted by S G Dickinson
As the ICJ declares countries that don't act to prevent climate change could be breaching international law...
Australia is giving some Tuvaluans the choice to live in Aus as they lose their home to climate change.
While Australia chooses to dig up more fossil fuels.
#auspol
Australia is giving some Tuvaluans the choice to live in Aus as they lose their home to climate change.
While Australia chooses to dig up more fossil fuels.
#auspol
July 24, 2025 at 1:35 AM
As the ICJ declares countries that don't act to prevent climate change could be breaching international law...
Australia is giving some Tuvaluans the choice to live in Aus as they lose their home to climate change.
While Australia chooses to dig up more fossil fuels.
#auspol
Australia is giving some Tuvaluans the choice to live in Aus as they lose their home to climate change.
While Australia chooses to dig up more fossil fuels.
#auspol
This might make the current tense UN negotiations on the terms of reference & modalities for the AI Panel & Dialogue even more fraught.
Also, it very much explains why the Pentagon signed a multi-million contract with Grok so soon after it went full-on Nazi. Can't get more anti-woke than that!
Also, it very much explains why the Pentagon signed a multi-million contract with Grok so soon after it went full-on Nazi. Can't get more anti-woke than that!
Trump signs three executive orders targeting ‘woke’ AI models
Crackdown on what the White House claims is bias echoes longstanding conservative grievances against tech
www.theguardian.com
July 23, 2025 at 11:33 PM
This might make the current tense UN negotiations on the terms of reference & modalities for the AI Panel & Dialogue even more fraught.
Also, it very much explains why the Pentagon signed a multi-million contract with Grok so soon after it went full-on Nazi. Can't get more anti-woke than that!
Also, it very much explains why the Pentagon signed a multi-million contract with Grok so soon after it went full-on Nazi. Can't get more anti-woke than that!
#UNcyberOEWG: Australia announces that in partnership with the WG's secretariat, they've crunched the stats on rise in gender parity in interventions since the WG began:
- ~33% of interventions were made by women when OEWG began
- 55% in February WG session
- 53% in this week's session
- ~33% of interventions were made by women when OEWG began
- 55% in February WG session
- 53% in this week's session
July 11, 2025 at 4:55 PM
#UNcyberOEWG: Australia announces that in partnership with the WG's secretariat, they've crunched the stats on rise in gender parity in interventions since the WG began:
- ~33% of interventions were made by women when OEWG began
- 55% in February WG session
- 53% in this week's session
- ~33% of interventions were made by women when OEWG began
- 55% in February WG session
- 53% in this week's session
#UNcyberOEWG has basically entered the "We are going to ignore all the disagreements & tensions of the past few years & instead congratulate each other on how wonderfully we worked together to develop this fantastic outcome" phase that inevitably happens before meetings like this come to a close.
July 11, 2025 at 3:10 PM
#UNcyberOEWG has basically entered the "We are going to ignore all the disagreements & tensions of the past few years & instead congratulate each other on how wonderfully we worked together to develop this fantastic outcome" phase that inevitably happens before meetings like this come to a close.
#UNcyberOEWG delegates have 3 weeks from today to submit any written national statements regarding the final report just adopted or they can ask for the floor now.
Pacific Island States are first to take the floor, thanking Chair & his team for all their hard work. The room applauds in agreement.
Pacific Island States are first to take the floor, thanking Chair & his team for all their hard work. The room applauds in agreement.
July 11, 2025 at 3:06 PM
#UNcyberOEWG delegates have 3 weeks from today to submit any written national statements regarding the final report just adopted or they can ask for the floor now.
Pacific Island States are first to take the floor, thanking Chair & his team for all their hard work. The room applauds in agreement.
Pacific Island States are first to take the floor, thanking Chair & his team for all their hard work. The room applauds in agreement.
#UNcyberOEWG Chair: with no more requests for the floor, moves to formal adoption of the draft final report of the WG. No objections in the room. Chair gavels report into adoption. Loud applause & whooping breaks out across the room! Chair calls it "applause of collective relief". Laughter in room.
docs-library.unoda.org
July 11, 2025 at 3:02 PM
#UNcyberOEWG Chair: with no more requests for the floor, moves to formal adoption of the draft final report of the WG. No objections in the room. Chair gavels report into adoption. Loud applause & whooping breaks out across the room! Chair calls it "applause of collective relief". Laughter in room.