Boogaloo Bias by Jennifer Gradecki & Derek Curry in the exhibition, Really? Art and Knowledge in Time of Crisis (2024) at Framer Framed, Amsterdam. Foto: © Maarten Nauw / Framer Framed. Framer Framed takes part in the project 'Bye Bye Big Tech'
Framer Framed is taking part in the project ‘Away from Big Tech’ in collaboration with the Institute for Information Law (University of Amsterdam), Bits of Freedom, Greenhost and The Good Cloud. Together, we will be working on developing a roadmap to help social and cultural organisations make the transition to a sovereign digital infrastructure.
Digital sovereignty is high on the agenda. Not only because of dependencies and vulnerabilities at the system level, but also because the geopolitical situation has changed substantially. It is particularly problematic for governments and public organisations that they are heavily dependent on hyperscalers and other dominant technology platforms. These parties do not generally operate in line with what we in Europe regard as important public values. This makes our economy, society, democracy and the rule of law increasingly vulnerable. We are losing control over our core processes.
The era of blindly trusting Big Tech seems to be definitively over. However, a radical commitment to digital autonomy is not yet a realistic scenario. Existing alternatives cannot yet easily compete with the services currently provided by dominant technology platforms. We are in a period of transition. To reduce our dependence in a sustainable way, we need a clear understanding of what our digital crown jewels are, how we wish to protect them, and what exit strategies are required.
Charities, associations, advocacy groups and activists provide an essential counterbalance to the established powers, but are largely dependent on Big Tech for their day-to-day work – a vulnerability that recent political developments have only made more pressing. From September onwards, we will therefore be working on concrete, replicable migration strategies and a practical guide, Bye bye Big Tech: A legal and practical framework for digitally autonomous civil society.
The project is made possible by the SIDN Fund through the call for proposals entitled ‘The transition to digital autonomy’. Further information about the consortium and the project can be found on the SIDN Fund’s website.
- SIDN Fonds - voor innovatieve internetprojecten
- IViR - Institute for Information Law
- Bits of Freedom
Links
Democracy, Digital Commons & Digital Autonomy / Politics and technology /
