Unfortunately I cannot register since this is not a public space
I tried to register to this conference, only to facepalm at the service provider “hopin”: their website does not work at all without JavaScript and each call to their pages require calls to at least a dozen different domains “just to work”, including many trackers. Coming back to Public Spaces manifesto, where you can read, among other things:
Our guarantees
In our view, founded in our values and principles, the internet should house truly public spaces, where specific guarantees can be extended to all those who enter these public spaces:
- User data are safe and can never be provided to third parties.
Etc.
Well, maybe the Public Spaces Conference could start with actually providing this setting to their own participants. Otherwise I cannot see how they will gather people working on digital public spaces besides those who do not have a clue about what they’re talking about, or do compromise enough not to find it problematic to send user data to GMAFIA in the process of registering to the conference.
Once again, this situation repeats where people prefer to ignore the technical issues underlying their positions rather than embrace them and make a stand. I am so sad that it happens yet again, despite the appetizing round table participants. I cannot see anything good coming from there where a (digital) public space is not provided to discuss and debate about (digital) public spaces. This kind of oversight generates thought bubbles way too present within academic circles where only a small piece of the puzzle is taken as the whole.
This message, originally posted at Public Spaces conference next week - #2 by how was also sent to Contact - PublicSpaces, where I urge you to send similar comments about data surveillance and the fact it keeps away people who actually are involved with (digital) public spaces.