Description: The Internet is the foundation and basis of all emerging technologies; it is open to all and interoperable, relying on open protocols. This workshop focuses on preserving and upholding the foundational principles of the internet by maintaining a user-centric perspective and advocating for the continued development and enforcement of open standards. Our goal is to prevent the transformation of the Internet into a closed and proprietary digital ecosystem. In our workshop, the discussion will rise through a thorough examination of crucial issues that could impact the open nature of the internet. We will begin by addressing the challenges posed by open standards in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. Participants will explore the implications of technological advancements on the ability of open standards to keep pace with innovation and discuss strategies to enhance the open standards to make them more adaptable to changes in technologies. After this, we will discuss the impact of proprietary platforms on internet accessibility and inclusivity. This discussion will mainly revolve around how the dominance of these platforms, which are managed by big tech companies, increases the digital divide by creating pay-walls and closed ecosystems, especially affecting marginalized communities who may lack affordable access. We will engage in a dialogue involving potential regulations and policy interventions that could promote competition and remove monopolistic practices to provide equitable access to digital resources for all users. Finally, we will talk about enhancing the user experience through user-centric designs. We will highlight the importance of incorporating accessibility features into digital platforms to make them accessible to individuals with disabilities. This will also touch upon the legal compliance of these platforms with respect to accessibility standards, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the United States, to ensure that digital environments are accessible to everyone.
Open Zoom
