New apps are being developed in an attempt to get the Covid-19 pandemic under control and restore a halfway normal life. Sewn with a hot needle, these apps could become a disaster. The good news is: Trustworthy solutions are in sight and might serve as a blueprint in...
Progress nowadays has taken the turbo. A thorough technology assessment is rarely possible — and time is rarely taken for it. With the example of self-steering cars, we can observe how we are fascinated or disturbed by technology, but in the end are overwhelmed. 2020....
The world is witnessing a wave. The wave has many names: Chauvinism, right-wing populism, proto-fascism, contempt for morals and the common good, hatred of the disadvantaged, hostility towards groups, pride in stupidity. It calls itself Tea Party, Alt-Right,...
The German Minister of the Interior, Mr. Zimmermann, just couldn’t believe it. There were really “adult judges” who adopted the “marginal concerns” of a radical minority against the census. And worse: only months later, constitutional judges...
Data offences by corporations, governments or secret services are hardly being sanctioned at all under criminal law. This creates a legal vacuum – and a lot of power. Data is valuable. A friend of mine, David, recently got his laptop stolen from inside a car....
Reading time: ~ 8 min. For the beginning an – unfortunately not too – fictitious scenery: A wedding party sets off with a motorcade to a celebration. Bride and groom sit in a mighty SUV, they wave, four more cars follow. The air is clear, the cars leave the place in...
There are plenty of lecture videos available on the digital human rights subject. Yet, some of them clearly stand out. Here are three that I found particularly interesting for my understanding of the matters. For me this is alltogether 3.5 hours of mindblowing...
Reading time: ~8 min. The knife is missing. My chicken with rice and vegetables I eat only with fork and spoon, or just take the hand to help. And I notice that you can cut surprisingly well with a spoon. Knives at the table are supposedly frowned upon in the...
“Broadcasting would be the greatest conceivable communication apparatus in public life, if it could not only transmit, but also receive, relate to the listener.” Bertolt Brecht (shortened), 1932 Before the Internet existed – this must be remembered occasionally...
Open letter to the EU parliamentarians who have so far spoken out in favour of a compromise on a copyright directive. (For a list see How Your MEPs Voted on the Article 13 #CensorshipMachine). Reading time: 2 min. Dear ladies and gentlemen, in the midst of...
