Tech Empire with Michael Kwet and Tshi Malatji

Tech Empire with Michael Kwet and Tshi Malatji

Tech Empire addresses challenges posed by the information society. Hosted by Michael Kwet at Yale University, it takes a global perspective on 21st century politics. This show challenges the tech-driven status quo being created by state and corporate power, and explores how we can create a world where technology makes life better for everyone. From big data surveillance to information equality, from #BlackLivesMatter to #FeesMustFall in South Africa, Tech Empire strikes at the heart of power in the digital age.

Episodes

Facebook's African Sweatshop with Billy Perrigo

April 29, 2022 • 50 mins
Today we welcome Billy Perrigo to discuss the exploitation of African workers performing content moderation for Facebook. Billy is a staff writer at TIME covering social media companies, with a focus on content moderation and responsible AI. In this episode, we cover Billy's article at TIME, "Inside Facebook's African Sweatshop", which exposes how Facebook outsources content moderation on the cheap to a company called Sama in Keny...
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What is anarchism? with Zoe Baker

March 7, 2022 • 105 mins
Today we welcome Zoe Baker to discuss anarchism. In this episode, we outline what anarchism is, how it emerged, and its distinction against Marxism. We also discuss the global reach of anarchism, anarchist anti-imperialism, as well as anarchist takes on technology, ecology, anarcho-syndicalism and unions, and the problems of nationalizing private property. Zoe Baker is a trans anarchist historian who recently completed her PhD det...
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Platform Socialism: An alternative to Big Tech with James Muldoon

January 26, 2022 • 76 mins
Today we welcome James Muldoon to the show to talk about what is wrong with platform capitalism, and how we might redesign the platform economy with ideas about platform socialism. We cover the problems with progressive capitalism and antitrust, and proposed socialist solutions to the digital economy, including projects that are already in existence. You can follow James on Twitter at @_James_Muldoon_. Follow Tech Empire at @TechE...
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Vaccine Apartheid with Fatima Hassan

December 8, 2021 • 62 mins
This episode welcomes Fatima Hassan to discuss vaccine apartheid and the global movement to end it. We dig into the issue of global inequality, vaccine patents, the TRIPS wavier at the WTO, the Omicron travel bans, and the role of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, as well as resistance campaigns against Big Pharma to ensure fast and equitable vaccination across the world. Fatima Hassan is a South African human rights lawyer, ...
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Can Social Media Be Fixed? with Jillian York

December 1, 2021 • 66 mins
This episode welcomes Jillian York to discuss how to fix social media. Our chat covers everything from the France Haugen documents to the structure of social media, Global North intellectual circuits, reformism and antitrust, social media decentralization, digital colonialism, and more. Jillian York is an American free-expression activist and author. She serves as Director of International Freedom of Expression at the Electronic F...
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Amazon’s Colonial Headquarters in South Africa with Tauriq Jenkins, Leslie London & Nadine Dirks

November 11, 2021 • 69 mins
This episode welcomes Tauriq Jenkins, Nadine Dirks, and Leslie London to discuss Amazon’s construction of a new headquarters on sacred indigenous land in Cape Town, South Africa. Our chat covers the cultural and environmental implications of the new construction site and activist resistance against it. Tauriq Jenkins is Chair at AIXARRA Restorative Justice Forum, Centre for African Studies at the University of Cape Town and member...
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Amazon in the Global South with Louise Matsakis

November 9, 2021 • 45 mins
This episode welcomes journalist Louise Matsakis to discuss Amazon’s e-commerce operations in the Global South. Louise published several articles on the topic at various outlets, including several at articles at Rest of World. We discuss worker rights and how Amazon operates in Mexico, Japan, Pakistan, and India. Louise Matsakis is a freelance journalist. You can follow her on Twitter at @lmatsakis. Follow Tech Empire at @TechEmpi...
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Facebook & the Metaverse: Myths and Reality with Mark Sullivan

November 2, 2021 • 57 mins
This episode welcomes journalist Mark Sullivan to discuss the question, "what is going on with this thing called the metaverse?" Mark has written a number of articles about the topic at the news media outlet, Fast Company. He is going to explain to us what the metaverse is, and how it might look in the future. We cover questions about how companies will make money, advertising, hype, how this could be a privacy and misinformation h...
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Lab-Grown Meat: Reasons to be Skeptical with Joe Fassler

October 27, 2021 • 61 mins
This episode welcomes Joe Fassler to discuss lab-grown meat. Last month, Joe released an in-depth article, “Lab-grown meat is supposed to be inevitable. The science tells a different story.”, at the non-profit news outlet, The Counter. His article challenges the popular idea that meat can be grown at an affordable scale to replace the industrial slaughter of animals for consumption. Joe explains how lab-grown meat works, and he bre...
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Tech Militarism and Project Maven with Jack Poulson

October 11, 2021 • 72 mins
This episode welcomes Jack Poulson to discuss Project Maven and the relationship between tech and the US military. Last month, Jack released a report at his organization, Tech Inquiry, revealing the extensive relationship between tech corporations and the US military via Project Maven. We discuss the kinds of technologies in the project, including drone surveillance, automated military tanks, location surveillance, and social media...
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The Climate Crisis and Degrowth with Robert Pollin & Jason Hickel

June 3, 2021 • 77 mins
This episode welcomes Robert Pollin and Jason Hickel to discuss the climate crisis and degrowth. The show is divided into four main parts. First, it lays out key concepts and information about the climate crisis. We then discuss solutions, including a global Green New Deal and a post-growth, redistributive solutions for society. Next, we explore the concept of “degrowth”, as understood within the context of colonialism and global i...
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Uber and worker exploitation in the transportation industry with Veena Dubal

October 26, 2020 • 60 mins
This episode welcomes Veena Dubal to discuss Uber and workers in the transportation industry. The show is divided into three parts. First, it explains how “e-hailing services” like Uber and Lyft work, with a focus on how they impact workers. Next, we discuss Proposition 22 in California, a ballot proposal to exempt “gig workers” from classification as employees. Finally, we discuss alternative models of how ride hailing should work...
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The Quantified Worker and Worker Surveillance with Ifeoma Ajunwa

April 9, 2019 • 65 mins
This episode welcomes Ifeoma Ajunwa to discuss how emerging technologies are changing the 21st century workplace. Job applications are now screened through automated systems, workers are being asked to use wearables like Fitbit for worker wellness programs, and employers are spying on worker smartphones. We discuss new tech in the workplace, where the law stands on these issues, and what be can done to protect worker rights. Ifeo...
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Your Phone Is Tracking Your Location with The NY Times' Jennifer Valentino-DeVries

December 21, 2018 • 69 mins
This episode welcomes Jennifer Valentino-DeVries to discuss how smartphone apps are tracking your precise physical location. The data collected is being used for targeted advertising, retail analytics, and financial investments. Your location information can reveal sensitive information, such as who you sleep with, your religious affiliation, or your daily habits. Jennifer Valentino-DeVries is a technology reporter for The New Yo...
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Arab Spring, pt 2: Jamal Khashoggi and Government Repression w/Iyad el-Baghdadi & Belabbes Benkredda

November 16, 2018 • 50 mins
This episode welcomes Iyad el-Baghdadi and Belabbes Benkredda to discuss the Arab Spring and its aftermath. Today’s show is the second of 2 parts. We explore the murder of Jamal Kashoggi, whom our guests knew personally; government repression, the situation in Palestine, Iyad el-Baghdadi's life journey, and the US role in the Middle East. Iyad el-Baghdadi is among the most influential human rights activists who rose to prominence d...
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Arab Spring, pt 1: Twitter, Revolution & Global Politics with Iyad el-Baghdadi & Belabbes Benkredda

October 26, 2018 • 63 mins
This episode welcomes Iyad el-Baghdadi and Belabbes Benkredda to discuss the Arab Spring and its aftermath. Today’s show is the first of 2 parts. We explore the use of Twitter and social media in the Middle East, the Arab Spring uprisings, the influence of the Obama administration during the Arab Spring, and the role of Putin and China in the Middle East and world affairs. Part 2 will air next week and cover additional topics. Iy...
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Digital India: Privacy, Tech Industry and Aadhaar Biometrics with Mishi Choudhary

September 7, 2018 • 61 mins
This episode welcomes Mishi Choudhary to discuss the state of Digital India. We describe Mishi's path to become founder of the Software Freedom Law Center, India (SFLC.in) -- one of the country's most influential digital rights organizations. Topics discussed include Free Software and the Internet Freedom movement, government and commercial surveillance, the Supreme Court ruling on privacy as a fundamental right, data fiduciaries...
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The Black Box Society, E-Education and Big Tech Regulation with Frank Pasquale

June 1, 2018 • 56 mins
This episode welcomes Frank Pasquale to discuss The Black Box Society. We explore Frank’s academic journey, and how black box technologies – technologies which the public cannot evaluate or understand – are reshaping society. We cover, among other topics, Big Data profiling, technology in the schools, copyright in the digital era, democratic participation in a complex information society and the regulation of Big Tech corporations....
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Facebook, Cambridge Analytica and Information Fiduciaries with Jack Balkin and Kamel Ajii

May 2, 2018 • 58 mins
This episode discusses the Facebook and Cambridge Analytica election fiasco, and what we can do about it. How should Big Tech companies be regulated? In a world of big data, how can we protect people's sensitive information? Professor Jack Balkin, founder and director of Yale's Information Society Project, joins us to answer these questions and discuss his proposal to regulate companies as "Information Fiduciaries". Also joining u...
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