What is Digital Discrimination?

Technology has come a long way, particularly in recent years. We now have access to a wealth of information and tools that can help to make our lives easier, more efficient, and more connected. However, with the rise of digital technology we now have a new form of discrimination: digital discrimination. Digital discrimination is the practice of mistreating people based on their online presence or activity. This can take many forms and is becoming increasingly common in our digital world. It can be subtle or blatant, and it can have severe implications for those affected. In this post, we'll explore what digital discrimination is, the different forms it can take, the impact it can have, and the strategies that can be used to combat it.

What is Digital Discrimination?

At its core, digital discrimination is the practice of treating people differently based on their online activities or presence. This can include anything from denying someone a job based on their social media posts to charging different prices for goods or services based on a person's online profile. It can even include exclusion or segregation based on a person's digital presence.

In some cases, digital discrimination can be subtle and difficult to detect. For example, the camera system of some smartphones or office face-recognition software sometimes fails to recognise the faces of many dark-skinned individuals due to the colourimetric settings, which in most cases have exclusion or inclusion criteria based on the average features of white-skinned individuals. Another good example of digital discrimination can be when an employer may not explicitly state that they are looking for employees with specific digital footprints. Still, they may use algorithms to screen out certain applicants based on their online activities or profiles. In other cases, the discrimination may be more overt, where a company charges or creates different prices for customers based on their online profile or activity. Regardless of the form it takes, digital discrimination can be damaging to those affected by it. It can limit opportunities, lead to financial losses, and even cause severe emotional distress.

Different Forms of Digital Discrimination:

Digital discrimination can take many forms, depending on the context and the motivations of those involved. Here are some of the most common forms of digital discrimination:

• Denying people access to certain services based on their country or region; for example, Paypal and Amazon, besides the stipulation of many restrictive measures, offer very limited services to customers from Asia and Africa.
• Denying people access to certain services based on their online activities or profiles.
• Charging people different prices for products or services based on their digital footprint.
• Excluding people from certain activities or events based on their online presence.
• Segregating people based on their online activities or profile.
• Targeting people with advertising or content based on their online activities or profile.
• Using algorithms to screen out certain applicants for jobs or other opportunities based on their online activities or profile.
• Discriminating against people based on their online activities or profile in hiring, promotion, or other employment decisions.
• Limiting people's access to information or resources based on their personal features.

The Impact of Digital Discrimination

The impacts of digital discrimination can be far-reaching and devastating. Those affected by digital discrimination can experience financial losses, loss of opportunities, and even emotional distress. On a larger scale, digital discrimination can lead to a lack of diversity in specific industries, an unequal playing field for certain groups of people, and even a decrease in social cohesion.

?

Causes of Digital Discrimination

Many factors can contribute to digital discrimination. These can include:

• Lack of intercultural competence within the software developers’ community
• Online algorithms screening online applicants for jobs/other opportunities.
• Using customer data to target specific groups with different prices or services.
• Companies targeting specific groups of people with different content or advertising.
• Social media platforms use algorithms to filter out certain content or users.
• Lack of education about digital discrimination and the implications it can have.

?Strategies to Combat Digital Discrimination

• Increasing education and awareness about digital discrimination and its implications.
• Increasing transparency about the use of algorithms and customer data.
• Regulating the use of algorithms and customer data.
• Encouraging companies to use more ethical practices when using algorithms and customer data.
• Encouraging companies to develop policies and protocols to address digital discrimination.
• Encouraging companies to create customer service departments to address digital discrimination-related complaints.
• Encouraging individuals to report instances of digital discrimination.

The Role of Technology in Solving Digital Discrimination

Technology can play a key role in solving digital discrimination. For example, artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to detect and flag instances of digital discrimination. Similarly, machine learning can be used to develop algorithms that are less likely to discriminate against certain groups of people.

Technology can also be used to create more transparent and ethical practices when it comes to the use of customer data and algorithms. This can include making customer data more secure and creating protocols for using algorithms that are less likely to lead to discrimination.

Solutions to Digital Discrimination

Digital discrimination is a complex issue, and there is no single solution. However, several steps can be taken to address it. These include:

• Creating policies and protocols to address digital discrimination.
• Developing customer service departments to address digital discrimination-related complaints.
• Increasing education and awareness about digital discrimination and its implications.
• Encouraging companies to use more ethical practices when using customer data and algorithms.
• Encouraging individuals to report instances of digital discrimination.
• Regulating the use of algorithms and customer data.
• Increasing transparency about the use of algorithms and customer data.
• Utilizing technology to detect and flag instances of digital discrimination.

The Importance of Digital Education

Digital education is essential to combatting digital discrimination. Digital education can help to increase awareness and understanding of digital discrimination and can empower individuals to recognize and address instances of digital discrimination.

Digital education can also help to ensure that those in positions of power understand the implications of digital discrimination and are better equipped to create policies and protocols to address it. Digital education can also help to ensure that those who are affected by digital discrimination have the resources and knowledge to fight it.

Conclusion

Digital discrimination is a growing issue in our digital world. It can take many forms and can have serious implications for those affected. In this post, we explored what digital discrimination is, the different forms it can take, the impact it can have, and the strategies that can be used to combat it.

We also discussed the role of technology in solving digital discrimination, the importance of digital education, and the solutions that can be implemented to address the issue.

Digital discrimination is a complex issue, but by increasing awareness, transparency, and education, we can take steps to address it. Check for more relevant and interesting information on discrimination, dangerous equal treatment in medical care and digital competence in one of the new publications from EuroAfrica Media Network to learn more about discrimination and how to combat it.

#discriminations #linkedin #linkedingrowth #linkedinfamily #21stcenturynurse #healthcare #understandingdiversity #marketingfordoctors #medicalmarketing, #digitaldiscrimination #digitaleducation #digitalcompetence #Diversity #Culture #Healthinformation #Communicationandculture

IF YOU LIKE THIS CONTENT, FOLLOW US NOW ON:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/euroafricamedianetwork/

Instagram:?https://www.instagram.com/chriskross247/

LinkedIn: https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/chris-ezeh/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EuroAfricaNet

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EuroAfricaNet

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxIYXfKtcE9-Nbj2pBB_Dhg

Weekly newsletter