Can Internet Trolls Be Tamed? Meet tech activist Maia Kahlke Lorentzen, who is working to create a fairer internet
Maia Kahlke Lorentzen is a writer, tech activist and consultant. She is best known for her work on digital harassment and trolling on social media, and the effect it has on the public agenda. She described this in the book “Can trolls be tamed ??”, which she published on Informations Forlag (a Danish publisher) in 2019. She also works with research and dissemination of internet subcultures and online extremism.
On a daily basis, she is part of the cooperative Cybernauterne, which works with cyber security, research and digital understanding. She is also a co-founder of the activist network DO:TOPIA, which runs camps and code schools with a focus on including women and minorities.
7 Questions with Maia Kahlke Lorentzen
1. What do you find exciting about technology right now?
It is interesting how digital platforms are currently being used to spread misinformation and dig ditches. It is seen in the US election campaign and in relation to COVID19. Both legislators, ordinary people and the platforms themselves are struggling right now to prevent the spread of misinformation. For example, Twitter reminds you if you try to retweet a link without even following it, and Facebook removes QAnon’s groups.
Right now we are starting to see a departure from the idea that one can design technology for the rational human being. Technology is not always used as intended. When developing technology, it is extremely important to make a risk assessment, which is often not done today, because those who are the developers are not in any kind of risk group. One example is the Deepnude app, which was developed to use Deepfake technology to manipulate images of women to appear naked. After huge criticism, the creator deleted the app after a short time due to fear of abuse. The example clearly demonstrates how, when developing, you must consider what kind of behavior you are encouraging.
2. Why or how did you choose this path?
It has been a combination of interest and social indignation based on many years of activism and participation in the debate. At one point, it made sense to start focusing on digital harassment and cyber security full time. My role is to convey complex technological issues and how these affect us as people and society, ie. to convey these issues to people who do not immediately understand what the problem is.
3. What has been your biggest mistake over the past year and what did you learn from it?
Over the past year, I have been at the forefront and have also received some negative feedback on what I have said publicly. It briefly created insecurity about myself and made me doubt my own abilities, which resulted in me withdrawing in some situations where I should have been steadfast. There are many people out there who spend a lot of time looking for mistakes — especially men who deal with women who work with technology, which is an area that is not considered a classic women’s area. I needed to be reminded that I know what I’m talking about and that I need to stand firm — even when I kick a wasp’s nest.
4. What is your biggest daily technological challenge?
To stop procrastinating — the technology I use in everyday life constantly makes it possible to get lost in endless, irrelevant topics. I need to be careful not to spend too much time on too many cat videos.
5. What has been your favourite project so far and why?
To organize various camps and schools where people have gathered and worked closely together in interdisciplinary communities. We have created the opportunity to work with all aspects of technology and you are welcome both if you are a super nerd or if you are afraid of your computer. We have managed to create a safe universe where everyone feels they have something to offer.
6. What do you imagine will happen in technology over the next five years and the next decade?
I hope we will see a split of the big tech giants and an increased focus on the right to own data. And then I also hope that the citizens will start holding their states accountable. There are many countries in — also in the EU — that in my opinion are far too happy with surveillance. Including Denmark. If we became more aware of the consequences of data collection then it would have a positive impact on our democracy. Many people do not think they have anything to hide and therefore do not care how data about you as a private person is stored and sold, but there are some who may have an interest in undermining you. Especially when you are at the bottom of the hierarchy. For example, there are many examples of unemployed people’s data being used against them.
Right now, society is also evolving and we have two groups, those who know something about technology and those who do not. It’s going to create significant problems if we don’t act soon. And finally, there are also challenges associated with who is allowed to talk about technology in the public debate. It is often the same types of people who are given speaking time and that is a big problem.
7. What should we keep an eye on in the future?
I hope that in the future we will start exploring how we can create new digital, public spaces that are not owned by tech giants. It is important that we begin to consider how we create an online public sphere. Should we build new platforms for each country, or should we start by making the big tech giants responsible for their platforms? Should we start warning and labeling content that is problematic? Should there be things you are not allowed to sell online — including people’s data? There are many questions that we MUST answer in the future. The interesting thing right now is that this discussion is actually starting to be mainstream and not just something that we, who have special interests in technology, are sitting and shouting about. It is now taking place in almost all political parties and in the population. It’s looking good!
Read more about Maia Kahlke Lorentzen here:
Home Page: https://cybernauterne.dk
DO:TOPIA: https://dotopia.dk/
Greater Spaces is written by Majken Overgaard and Vanessa Julia Carpenter where we work to expand the narrative of what technology is and who creates it. We speak with Danish and international female role models within technology and between these interviews we share what is most interesting to us, with a focus on diversity.
