NetThing 2020 – The Australian Internet Governance Forum

NetThing is an inclusive and open space to talk about and debate Internet issues of importance to Australians. It is a multidisciplinary community in development, forged by the common will to increase understanding of Internet related issues but, most importantly, increase understanding of a diverse range of stakeholders’ views on these issues.

NetThing offers a healthy space to advance the Australian Internet agenda through respectful dialogue among stakeholders. It presents a welcoming environment to committed netizens in Australia to develop policy advice and best practices through the aggregation of different and diverse views on pressing Internet matters.

This panel will discuss what is happening currently in Australia and around the world and explore what perhaps should be happening in future.

Delia Rickard

Deputy Commissioner, ACCC

Malcom Crompton

Former Privacy Commissioner & Advisor

Holly Raiche

Academic, ACCAN & Internet Australia

Keith Besgrove

Vice Chair at Internet Australia

This panel will explore the complex nature of infodemics - both concerns people have raised as well as emerging solutions - and the role played by algorithms, big data, influencers, and social media that thrives on viralities and all varieties of information flows.

Peter Greste

Journalist

Katharine Gelber

Head of the School of Political Science and International Studies, and Professor of Politics and Public Policy

Nicholas Carah

Author & Academic

Axel Bruns

Chief Investigator in the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society

This panel and Q&A explores how emerging technologies, such as blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI) and automation, may influence the Internet for Australians, and how people can get involved.

Chloe White

National Blockchain Roadmap Lead, Department of Industry, Science, Energy & Resources

Marc Cheong

Senior Research Fellow in Digital Ethics, Melbourne School of Engineering, University of Melbourne

Marta Poblet

Associate Professor, Graduate School of Business and Law, RMIT University

Ellie Rennie

School of Design and Social Context, RMIT University

The panel will attempt to answer the following questions: How secure is the (Australian) infrastructure that relies on the Internet’s network of networks? Who maintains that infrastructure in Australia? What are the current problems and solutions?

Matt Tett

Managing Director of Testlab P/L

Vanessa Teague

Cryptographer with a focus on privacy and election security

Aftab Siddiqui

Senior Internet Technology Manager at the Internet Society

Mark Gregory

Associate Professor, School of Engineering

The panel will explore the causes and impact of algorithmic bias, the tension between content moderation, policing and censorship, and the impact of US legislation such as SESTA/FOSTA and EARNIT within an Australian context. This session will also highlight the ongoing role that the Internet community can play in reducing harm in digital spaces.

Lola Hunt

Co-founder of Assembly Four

Claire Fitzsimmons

Founder and Director of Salty–an independent digital publishing platform for women, trans and nonbinary people

Yassmin Abdel-Magied

Writer & changemaker

Celeste Carnegie

Community Engagement at Indigitek