Digital Liberation News - November 2022
Welcome to Volume I, Issue 5 of Digital Liberation News!
This newsletter aims to keep you informed and engaged in the discussion surrounding the surveillance of students in schools.
Schools are investing in technology that violates student privacy. This digital injustice causes severe harm in immediate and long-term ways that are still being revealed. We seek solutions that center young people, families, educators, and the community. We believe decisions about technology and safety should be informed by those most impacted. Technology should be a tool for school safety, not the answer.
New CDT research report
The Center for Democracy in Technology's Civic Tech team identified how schools outwardly appear to lack the staff and transparency to adequately protect student privacy. As a result, the info about students, much of which may be sensitive in nature, is at risk. Click here to read the full report!
Dr. Samimi's student monitoring study
Dr. Samimi is currently seeking folks to interview for their new, nationwide study on the mechanisms of student surveillance. If you were a student, worked at a school in any capacity (including volunteers/interns), or were the parent/guardian of a student during the last two school years and would like to talk about your experiences, please email samresearch@umn.edu or complete this form, and we will get back to you shortly! Every participant will receive a $20.00 gift card.
DLN community at the Data for Public Good Conference
Three ideathon participants: Joseph Burey, Nathasha Chandrasekharan, and Zach Schmit, along with Dr. Samimi, presented at last month's Data for Public Good conference, organized by Twin Cities Innovation Alliance. The presentation, titled, "Ideating for Digital Justice," introduced attendees to the ideathon model, provided information on the digital surveillance of students, and engaged participants in a mini design-thinking exercise. Additionally, Dr. Samimi presented with Clarence Okoh of the Center for Legal and Social Policy on the No Criminalization of Tech in Education coalition and the national movement to organize against criminalizing students through digital surveillance.
What we're reading
EFF's Atlas of Surveillance Database Now Documents 10,000+ Police Tech Programs - Electronic Frontier Foundation
The risks of student surveillance amid abortion bans and LGBTQ restrictions - The Guardian
Thanks for reading Digital Liberation News!
Digital Liberation News is a part of a collaboration between the Anti-Racist Research in Youth Studies lab (ARRYS) and the Twin Cities Innovation Alliance (TCIA).