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Most of us had probably never heard of The Daily Stormer until it was reported last week several Internet companies had refused to host the neo-Nazi website. It was another fallout from the violence in Charlottesville, Va.
While the web host companies were applauded for taking a firm stand against hate, Natasha Tusikov of Brock University says there can be problems when Internet providers play the role of regulators.
“There are significant problems with relying upon powerful companies to police the Internet because their enforcement practices are troublingly opaque and prone to arbitrary interpretation,” Prof. Tusikov writes.
In our Environment section today, Catherine Howell, Jennifer Drake and Liat Margolis of the University of Toronto write about how green roofs in major urban centres play an important role in helping cities cope with extreme rainfall events in the age of climate change.
And in Education, Sara Bannerman of McMaster University provides insight into a recent court decision that suggests universities should police any potential copyright infringements on campus.
Regards,
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Private companies are policing online hate without independent oversight or regulation, which has serious implications and poses risks for basic human rights and freedoms.
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Natasha Tusikov, Brock University
After violence in Charlottesville, internet firms are erasing bigoted content. But should private companies serve as unaccountable regulators and be responsible for policing complex social issues?
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The Acros Fukuoka eco-building in Fukuoka, Japan boasts one of the world’s most famous green roofs. The GRIT Lab at the University of Toronto is working to bring green roofs to the city and beyond in order to combat climate change.
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Catherine Howell, University of Toronto; Jennifer Drake, University of Toronto; Liat Margolis, University of Toronto
Green roofs could play a critical role in helping cities cope with extreme rainfall events in the age of climate change. The roofs essentially suck up stormwater like sponges if designed properly.
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Copyright monitoring and enforcement would be an onerous and complex task for universities.
(Shutterstock)
Sara Bannerman, McMaster University
A recent Canadian court decision suggests universities should police any potential copyright infringements on campus and online. That's the last thing universities should have to do.
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Business + Economy
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Mariano L.M. Heyden, Monash University; Mathew Hayward, Monash University
Humble CEOs may be the new prize, but they are in short supply and face distinctive challenges.
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Culture + Society
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Jean Twenge, San Diego State University
Move over millennials, there's a new generation in town. Dubbed 'iGen,' they differ from their predecessors on a range of measures, from mental health to time spent with friends.
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