One of ITS Rio’s mission is to support the development of innovation in Brazil. Therefore, between the 21st and 25th of November 2016, the institute gathered a group of entrepreneurs, speakers, government agents, civil society representatives and other stakeholders to discuss a series of essential issues to think about the present and future of the country in terms of technology and innovation.

The studies was divided into various specific events during the course of a week and part of them were open to the general public. The issues addressed in this edition were:

–          Internet Governance

–          Use of Algorithms for Decision Making

–          Data treatment for New Economy

–          Privacy and its Regulation

–          Legal Frameworks to Enhance Innovation

Check the week’s programme below. This edition was made possible through the generous collaboration of our partners and supporters: Brazilian Internet Steering Committee (CGI.br), State University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), British Embassy in Brazil and the International Network of Internet Research Centers.

Monday – November 21

Legal Course with the School of Internet Governance in Brazil | Day 1

Course held in partnership between ITS Rio and the Brazilian Internet Steering Committee (CGI.br)

In the second semester of 2016, the course of the School of Internet Governance of CGI.br was held in Rio de Janeiro with the Institute of Technology and Society of Rio (ITS Rio) as co-organizer, in addition to the support of the British Embassy.

The course was aimed at the public of the legal area and aimed to contribute to the debate of the new challenges that issues related to governance and Internet use impose on the application of law in Brazilian society, providing subsidies for the understanding of related technical and legal issues To the Internet in Brazil and in the world.

Varanda ITS/CGI.br (Only for guests): Application blocking, privacy, and the Marco Civil da Internet

Recent court rulings determining the blocking of applications have raised a number of debates about the legality and proportionality of this type of measure. and also about the relationship between cryptographic tools to protect the privacy of Internet users and the need for the State to provide Public security, highlighting the clash between justice and social media. In this Varandas ITS with the School of Legal Internet Governance (EGI) we will debate the judicial blockages of applications, their motives and possible impacts for innovation.

Tuesday – November 22

Legal Course with the School of Internet Governance in Brazil | Day 2

Course held in partnership between ITS Rio and the Brazilian Internet Steering Committee (CGI.br)

Wednesday – November 23

Closed working tables and meetings

Thursday – November 24

Decision making by algorithm: Big Data, transparency and discrimination of vulnerable groups in Latin America | Day 1

International closed meeting

10:00 – 11:30 – The implications of large­ scale data collection, retention, and analysis for vulnerable groups

Algorithms use big data to solve problems and inform decision­making and, depending on the data or other factors, they might lead to bias and discrimination. They can have direct impact on people’s choices and options, their right to privacy and control of personal data, and several other rights. Since algorithms are commonly dependent on historical data, vulnerable people are more likely to succumb to unfavorable outcomes, as generally past trends tends to reappear in the algorithm’s output. Notwithstanding, vulnerable groups are the ones that can potentially suffer more from such biases, as it happens when they have credit denied.

11:45 – 13:15 – Data protection Legislation and algorithmic discrimination and transparency: Global references

This session will focus on analyzing the initiatives and frameworks currently established worldwide. What should be the content of the regulatory framework regarding the use of personal data (and Big Data) in order to properly address the issue of algorithmic discrimination? What can we learn from the frameworks adopted by other countries such as the US and the UK? Are they adequate or should we adjust them to the Latin American scenario? In relation to the current trend of data­collection, how can we sustainably maximize the contribution personal data makes to the economy, to society, and to individuals? How can we protect vulnerable groups with high risk from being discriminated, for instance, by financial institutions?

14:15 – 15:45 – When algorithm­ decision making leads to discrimination of vulnerable groups: Latin American experiences

This session discusses the way Latin American Countries have addressed the usage of information initially collected for the implementation of public policies for credit assessment purposes. Do these countries have legal frameworks? What are the necessary legislative changes needed for the usage of big data, both by governments and corporations, in these countries? How can they stimulate the financial industry to review risk assessment policies?

16:00 – 17:30 – When algorithm­ decision making leads to transparency

This session discusses the way the private sector in Latin American countries addressed the usage of information initially collected for the implementation of public policies for credit assessment purposes. What are the conditions and principles for big data and algorithmic transparency? What are the sensitive issues to lead to transparency? What have we learned from government­ lead and private­ sector lead initiatives for algorithmic decision­-making strategy?

17:30 – 18:00 Wrap­ up and Closing

Varanda ITS – Algorithms, transparency and information on the internet

Open to the public

This Varanda ITS will be open to the public (mandatory pre-registrations). The event will address the current relevance of the internet in the dynamics of access to information, based on the possible polarization promoted by elements such as the formation of “echo chambers” and also the so-called “homophilia”, the phenomenon of attraction between equals, frequent in Internet interactions. Its influence in different spheres will be addressed, from the political-electoral to the new delineations of freedom of expression and access to information.

Time: 19h – 21h

Friday – November 25

Decision making by algorithm: Big Data, transparency and discrimination of vulnerable groups in Latin America | Day 2

Closed international meeting

09:30 – 11:00 – The Brazilian experience: Credit bureaus in Brazil

This session presents the study carried out by ITS based on products commercialized by three different credit bureaus, being one of them the “Mosaic Brazil”, a tool marketed by Serasa Experian, which is based on the application of analytical techniques and statistics on big data. The Mosaic Brazil covers more than 2/3 of the population and established 40 segments ranging from “Rich and influential” to “Youth deprived”. In this discussion, we will analyze the terms of service of the Mosaic in order to verify if there are limits for the use of information provided by financial institutions. Furthermore, we will analyze the collection of personal data carried out by the provider of Mosaic and check whether such collection complies with data protection and access to information rules. Brazil’s lacks a general data governance legal framework, something which presents negative consequences to society. Therefore, what type of legal framework should Brazil fight for? Which specific topics have to be present in the data protection bill?

11:15 ­ 12:00 – Discussion with contributors to the publication on algorithm discrimination

12:00 – 12:30 – Wrap­up and Closing