The Humane Newsletter #13

New issue of The Humane Newsletter is out now ??

This week we talk about the new EU laws to support consumers' right to repair, how TikTok scans videos to determine users' age and bad faith communication in the digital era.

Read issue #12 only in COSE HERE and read all issues in The Humane Revolution COMMUNITY ????

?? Tech makers must provide repairs for up to 10 years under proposed EU law

The European Commission has proposed new regulations that could require makers of electronic devices, including TVs, vacuums, smartphones, and tablets, to offer repairs for their products for up to 10 years after purchase. The proposal will apply to any devices with repairability requirements in the EU, and would require companies to offer free repairs if it is the same price or cheaper than replacing the product. The new legislation would save emissions, resources and waste while helping consumers save money. READ MORE?

?? TikTok CEO says company scans public videos to determine users’ ages

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew explained in a Congressional hearing that the company uses age gating to determine the age of its users, but also scans users' videos to verify their age. While privacy versus age assurance is a big problem, Chew notes that it's a challenge for the industry, as there is a lack of U.S. laws around children's use of social media. Age verification is an industrywide concern, with companies like Instagram verifying users' ages by offering users a choice of three options. However, TikTok's techniques for age determination remain unclear. READ MORE?

?? The endgames of Bad Faith communication

The normalization of bad faith communication has become a cultural norm that is perpetuated by digital media, particularly social media. The escalation of this type of communication may lead to social breakdown, authoritarianism, and violence. There is a growing awareness of the dangers of bad faith communication and its contribution to the creation of extreme in-group pressures. Despite this, people still believe it is unethical to engage in good faith communication with those they disagree with, leading to escalating cultural conflict. Restoring public trust in good faith communication requires both a cultural shift toward civic virtues and a redesign of the technologies and social processes that structure civic discourse. READ MORE