Former Facebook data scientist Frances Haugen testifying at the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety and Data Security this Tuesday
Image credit: Alex Brandon/AP Images
October 4-8 News
1. Potential Chinese Invasion of Taiwan
Earlier this week, Taiwanese defense minister Chiu Kuo-cheng spoke on the possibility of a Chinese military invasion by the year 2025, fueled by the states’ past tensions and the employment of 150 Chinese warplanes into Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone. Still claimed to be a province of China by Beijing, some take it as evidence that Taiwan is no longer safe from Chinese control, potentially being taken by force if necessary. This has been seen throughout the past years as China attempts to delegitimize Taiwan’s sovereignty more and more, having led to its loss of recognition as a nation-state by many Chinese allies. Nevertheless, a Chinese invasion is still widely debated among analysts. The US has stated that its commitment to Taiwan is “rock solid”, aiming to defend the territory and, hence, potentially straining China’s advancements if they were to engage in military conflict with Taiwan. Still, only time will show how the situation is truly meant to unfold.
To learn more about this, have a look at the links below:
https://www.npr.org/2021/10/06/1043640597/china-taiwan-tensions-us-aircraft-defense-military
2. The Pandora Papers
The so-called “Pandora Papers” have sparked tension and outrage as almost 12 million documents revealing hidden wealth and money laundering by some of the world’s most rich and powerful people have been leaked. Upon obtaining such data, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) in Washington DC has conducted a global investigation on the matter, understanding how such widespread money laundering and corruption have impacted the economies of various countries. The avoidance of an £18.5m tax on a Londen super-mansion by the Qatari ruling family was uncovered, as was Azerbaijan’s leading family’s hidden involvement in property deals in the UK adding up to more than £400m and the Kenyan president’s secretly owned network of offshore companies. Not only have the “Pandora Papers” challenged the legality and morality of the many involved in its leaks, but they are now broadening the matter of tax avoidance by the wealthy, allowing us to understand how such laundering, especially when done by politicians, can affect our communities.
To learn more about this, have a look at the links below:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-58780561
https://www.theguardian.com/news/2021/oct/04/pandora-papers-at-a-glance
3. Whistleblower with the “truth” about Facebook
Earlier this week, a so-called “whistleblower”, Frances Haugen (a former data scientist at Facebook), released thousands of internal research and documents on the media company Facebook, stating that it could not be held accountable for its actions if it kept operating in the dark. Testifying before a Senate subcommittee this Tuesday, Haugen raised concerns over Facebook’s products, stating that they were harming children, creating division, and weakening democracy. Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg, however, has argued that Haugen’s testimony creates a “false picture of the company”, constructing a “false narrative” that has so far not been addressed and, according to the company head, will not be done so.
To learn more about this, have a look at the links below:
https://edition.cnn.com/2021/10/04/tech/facebook-whistleblower-prepared-testimony/index.html
https://www.npr.org/2021/10/05/1043377310/facebook-whistleblower-frances-haugen-congress
[Research conducted by Global Politics student Victoria Bauza]
EAC PRESS 