[okfn-advisory] Open Knowledge and Reset the Net

Thu Jun 5 16:21:26 UTC 2014

I feel strongly that you should support Reset the Net in particular,
and similar moves in general.

Open knowledge is negated by a Net that is subject to almost total
surveillance - and we are already close that point. A Net where people
are free to share without constantly looking over their shoulder is an
essential pre-requisite for everything that Open Knowledge is trying
to achieve.  Refusing to join the efforts to rein in surveillance
would be not just blinkered and short-sighted, but ultimately
self-destructive.

On 5 June 2014 17:02, Laura James <laura.james at okfn.org> wrote:
> All,
>
> I'd love your opinions on this topic - should we formally support
> initiatives such as Reset the Net which don't have a specific open-knowledge
> aspect?  What about Reset the Net specifically?
>
> In the thread below, I've followed the stance we've generally had in the
> past, but perhaps it needs updating - your thoughts would be most helpful
> and welcome.
>
> Best regards,
>
> Laura
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Laura James <laura.james at okfn.org>
> Date: 5 June 2014 16:55
> Subject: Re: [okfn-discuss] OKFN and Reset the Net
> To: Open Knowledge Foundation discussion list <okfn-discuss at lists.okfn.org>
>
>
> Hi Will,
>
> I'd be delighted to hear from others what they think and look forward to
> more responses here.
>
> I totally take your point on government surveillance being counter to a
> supportive environment for open data action, and of course there's lots of
> other supportive environment elements for media and civil society, and we
> need to figure out which we actively support as an organisation and which we
> don't. My sense would be that 'is there an open knowledge element' is the
> right line to draw, but that may be wrong if there are other non-contentious
> support areas the full open knowledge community would whole-heartedly back.
> The level of controversy is relevant because if we are representing the
> whole open knowledge community, we need to have a sense as to whether the
> whole community would reasonably back it; of course for specific chapters
> it's their own call as they are only representing their constituency.
>
> In the case of Reset the Net specifically, I've seen some opposition online
> to the initiative because it has the backing of Google - what do folks here
> think about that? Is it a concern?
>
> Laura
>
>
>
>
> On 5 June 2014 16:28, William Waites <ww at eris.okfn.org> wrote:
>>
>> Hi Laura,
>>
>> That is a pretty bizarre position to take and seems to show a
>> surprising lack of understanding of the environment in which OKF
>> operates. For example, suppose a journalist or civil servant wants to
>> use some Open Data in order to draw attention to some problem in
>> government. Do you think it is appropriate for the same government
>> to be spying on them while they do this and if they are a civil servant
>> perhaps dismiss them on a pretext before they can finish and publish
>> their research? Do you think when the public sector publishes
>> information that it is appropriate to keep tabs on who is using that
>> information and for what?
>>
>> "Does not quite fit within [OKF's] remit" is alarmingly out of step
>> with the rest of the 'net. Have a look at the list of which other
>> organisations supporting this and ask yourself if it appears to be
>> within you understand as their remit.
>>
>> Please reconsider :)
>>
>> -w
>>
>> On Thu, 5 Jun 2014 14:30:40 +0100
>> Laura James <laura.james at okfn.org> wrote:
>>
>> > Hi Will,
>> >
>> > Reset the Net is an interesting initiative around freedom from mass
>> > surveillance by government. We try to focus our Open Knowledge
>> > endorsements on projects with a clear open data / open knowledge
>> > element. There's lots of causes out there which we might well support
>> > as individuals, especially around digital rights and so forth, but as
>> > an organisation we feel it's best to focus our support on causes
>> > directly related to our work and mission, which most likely means
>> > that we can be confident that Open Knowledge folks would support the
>> > cause. My sense is that Reset the Net doesn't quite fall within this
>> > remit; what do others think?
>> >
>> > Of course, Local Groups and Chapters may make their own decisions on
>> > such initiatives, in consultation with the appropriate local board of
>> > directors and community, and to ensure if they do sign that they make
>> > it clear what organisation or group they represent - ie the Chapter
>> > or the specific Local Group.
>> >
>> > Best regards,
>> >
>> > Laura
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > On 5 June 2014 12:19, William Waites <ww at eris.okfn.org> wrote:
>> >
>> > > It's not too late, and it'd be really good to have the
>> > > https://www.resetthenet.org/ banner or splash page up
>> > > today on the okfn.org web site
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > _______________________________________________
>> > > okfn-discuss mailing list
>> > > okfn-discuss at lists.okfn.org
>> > > https://lists.okfn.org/mailman/listinfo/okfn-discuss
>> > > Unsubscribe: https://lists.okfn.org/mailman/options/okfn-discuss
>> > >
>> > >
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
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>>
>
>
>
> --
>
>
> Dr Laura James
>
> CEO
>
>
> skype: laura.james  |  @LaurieJ
>
>
> Open Knowledge    -    See how data can change the world
>
> http://okfn.org/  |  @okfn  |  Facebook  |  Blog
>
>
>
> The Open Knowledge Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation.  It is
> incorporated in England & Wales as a company limited by guarantee, with
> company number 05133759.  VAT Registration № GB 984404989. Registered office
> address: Open Knowledge Foundation, St John’s Innovation Centre, Cowley
> Road, Cambridge, CB4 0WS, UK.
>
>
>
>
> --
>
>
> Dr Laura James
>
> CEO
>
>
> skype: laura.james  |  @LaurieJ
>
>
> Open Knowledge    -    See how data can change the world
>
> http://okfn.org/  |  @okfn  |  Facebook  |  Blog
>
>
>
> The Open Knowledge Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation.  It is
> incorporated in England & Wales as a company limited by guarantee, with
> company number 05133759.  VAT Registration № GB 984404989. Registered office
> address: Open Knowledge Foundation, St John’s Innovation Centre, Cowley
> Road, Cambridge, CB4 0WS, UK.
>
>
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-- 
Best wishes

Glyn

http://opendotdotdot.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/glynmoody
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