CCG Tech Podcast

In the lead up to the AI Impact Summit in February 2026, Jhalak sat down for a conversation with Martin Tisné on the state of AI governance. They looked at public interest AI, the lessons from social media regulation, open data and data stewardship, and methods of accountability. The episode also explores conversation on AI sovereignty, safe and trusted AI and democratising AI — all of which are key conversations for the AI Impact Summit.Martin Tisné is the Founder and Chair of the Board of Current AI. He was appointed Thematic Envoy to the AI Action Summit held in February 2025 in France. He has over 15 years of investment and leadership experience, including advising several heads of state on AI policy, serving as a board member of the Partnership on AI, and helping establish two multi-stakeholder initiatives and three NGOs. As a philanthropic entrepreneur, Martin helped set up AINow, the Ethics & Governance of AI Fund, the AWO agency, Digital Action, and Reset amongst other initiatives.Resources:Paris Charter on Artificial Intelligence - https://www.elysee.fr/en/emmanuel-macron/2025/02/11/the-paris-charter-on-artificial-intelligence-in-the-public-interest Open Government Directive - https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/open/documents/open-government-directive https://www.data.gov.uk/ gpt-oss-safegaurd - https://openai.com/index/introducing-gpt-oss-safeguard/ Machine Bias - https://www.propublica.org/article/machine-bias-risk-assessments-in-criminal-sentencing Bhashini - https://bhashini.gov.in/ Hosts: Jhalak KakkarEditor: Gopika PFact Checker: Gopika PThis podcast is created by the ⁠Centre for Communication Governance⁠ at NLUD. Reach out for any queries / suggestions at [email protected] (The opinions expressed in the episode are personal to the speaker. The University does not subscribe to the views expressed in the episode and does not take any responsibility for the same.)

What are the challenges a country like India faces as it maneuvers the rapidly changing landscape of technology today? What policies and governance mechanisms are needed to address these challenges?In this special episode of the CCG Tech Podcast, Jhalak and Shashank speak with S Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY; on the future of India’s tech policy ecosystem. They discuss the AI governance guidelines, the establishment of AI incident databases, and the ways to foster a local AI ecosystem. The episode also looks at the government’s approach to handling issues such as recirculation of NCII, exceptions to the Right to Erasure, the Data Protection Board, etc. S Krishnan is the Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India. He has previously held multiple responsibilities within the Government of Tamil Nadu, including a position as the founder CEO of the Tamil Nadu Infrastructure Development Board; as well as the Government of India. He also served as the Senior Advisor in the Office of the Executive Director for India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Bhutan in the International Monetary Fund and represented the Government of India in the G20 Expert Groups on International Financial Architecture and Global Financial Safety Nets.Resources:India AI Governance Guidelines, November 2025 - https://indiaai.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/docs/guidelines-governance.pdf Standard Operating Procedure to curtail dissemination of Non-Consensual Intimate Imagery (NCII) content, MeitY, October 2025 - https://www.meity.gov.in/static/uploads/2025/11/a2c9500ef5f8b62a43bfc68747de592d.pdf MeitY advisory to all Intermediaries for uploading unlawful content, December 2025 - https://www.meity.gov.in/static/uploads/2025/12/a95c3656a958089e655f755ad354ac27.pdf Hosts: Jhalak Kakkar, Shashank MohanEditor: Gopika PFact Checker: Gopika PThis podcast is created by the ⁠Centre for Communication Governance⁠ at NLUD. Reach out for any queries / suggestions at [email protected] (The opinions expressed in the episode are personal to the speaker. The University does not subscribe to the views expressed in the episode and does not take any responsibility for the same.)

On 26 August 2025, the UN General Assembly decided to establish the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI and the Global Dialogue on AI Governance. Two weeks prior to this, we had a chance to speak with Amandeep Gill, UN Under-Secretary-General and Special Envoy for Digital and Emerging Technologies. Episode 07 of The CCG Tech Podcast looks at the importance of processes like WSIS, GDC, etc, the role of the International Scientific Panel on AI, and the questions of meaningful participation for the Global South.Amandeep Gill is the UN Under-Secretary-General and Special Envoy for Digital and Emerging Technologies. He is also a member of the Secretary-General's High Level Advisory Body on AI and of his Scientific Advisory Board. He is a former Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer who served in various capacities in disarmament and strategic technologies and international security affairs.Resources:UN Office for Digital and Emerging Technology - https://www.un.org/digital-emerging-technologies/ Global Digital Compact - https://www.un.org/global-digital-compact/en https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-08-26/statement-attributable-the-spokesperson-for-the-secretary-general-%E2%80%93-the-general-assembly-decision-new-artificial-intelligence-governance-mechanisms-within-the-united Hosts: Jhalak KakkarEditor: Gopika PFact Checker: Gopika PThis podcast is created by the ⁠Centre for Communication Governance⁠ at NLUD. Reach out for any queries / suggestions at [email protected] (The opinions expressed in the episode are personal to the speaker. The University does not subscribe to the views expressed in the episode and does not take any responsibility for the same.)

Technology has shifted massively in the last two decades and with it, the world. The upcoming WSIS+20 review puts into sharp focus a few longstanding conversations in global internet governance. In Episode 06 of The CCG Tech Podcast, Jhalak and Shashank speak with Konstantinos Komaitis on the future of global internet governance. They look at the evolution of WSIS, questions of multistakeholderism, enhanced cooperation, etc., and the role of various stakeholders in the governance conversation.Konstantinos Komaitis is a Senior Resident Fellow for Global and Democratic Governance at the Digital Forensics Research Lab (DFRLab) at the Atlantic Council. He is also a non-resident fellow and senior researcher at the Lisbon Council. Konstantinos has spent ten years in active policy development and strategy as a Senior Director at the Internet society, where he led successfully a series of projects, including the IANA transition. Before joining the Internet Society, he spent 7 years as a senior lecturer at the university of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK, where he was researching and teaching Internet policy, with particular focus on Internet governance, intellectual property, trade and cybersecurity.Resources:Definition included in Clause 34 of the Tunis Agenda - https://www.itu.int/net/wsis/docs2/tunis/off/6rev1.html https://cdn.internetdemocracy.in/idp/assets/downloads/reports/unlocking-enhanced-cooperation/Unlocking-Enhanced-Cooperation.pdf https://dig.watch/event/wsis20-high-level-event-2025/enhanced-cooperation-in-the-digital-age-from-concept-to-commitment-at-wsis20 https://www.internetgovernance.org/2018/02/10/goodbye-good-riddance-enhanced-cooperation/ Hosts: Jhalak Kakkar, Shashank MohanEditor: Gopika PFact Checker: SukritiThis podcast is created by the ⁠Centre for Communication Governance⁠ at NLUD. Reach out for any queries / suggestions at [email protected] (The opinions expressed in the episode are personal to the speaker. The University does not subscribe to the views expressed in the episode and does not take any responsibility for the same.)

Technology and geopolitics around the world has gone through rapid transitions in the last few years. These massive shifts have had profound impacts on tech policy and regulation. In Episode 05 of The CCG Tech Podcast, Fawaz and Shashank speak with Ramsha Jahangir on the way geopolitics is influencing and driving tech policy globally. They look at the changes in Europe, the effect of the Trump administration, as well as the changing outlooks of Global Majority countries.Ramsha Jahangir is an Associate Editor at Tech Policy Press. Previously, she led Policy and Communications at the Global Network Initiative (GNI), which she now occasionally represents as a Senior Fellow on a range of issues related to human rights and tech policy. As an award-winning journalist and Tech Policy Press reporting fellow, Ramsha has extensively reported on platform governance, surveillance, and digital authoritarianism.Resources:Ramsha Jahangir's writing on ‘What’s Behind Europe’s Push to “Simplify” Tech Regulation?’: https://www.techpolicy.press/whats-behind-europes-push-to-simplify-tech-regulation/ Anu Bradford coined the term ‘Brussels Effect’ noting trickle down effect of EU regulations on the rest of the world, read more here: https://academic.oup.com/book/36491  To read more about EU’s AI Act: https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/regulatory-framework-ai ‘Brazil’s Supreme Court Overturns Platform Liability Rules—Now Comes the Challenge of What’s Next’ https://www.techpolicy.press/brazils-supreme-court-overturns-platform-liability-rulesnow-comes-the-challenge-of-whats-next/  Meta rolls back on fact checking/’Meta Says It Will End Its Fact-Checking Program on Social Media Posts’: https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/01/07/business/meta-fact-checking Reading on how Paris AI Summit signalled move towards AI innovation & development over AI safety - https://www.grip.globalrelay.com/from-ai-safety-to-ai-action-paris-summit-highlights-change-in-global-approach/ https://www.epc.eu/publication/The-Paris-Summit-Au-Revoir-global-AI-Safety-61ea68/ Hosts: Fawaz Shaheen, Shashank MohanEditor: Gopika PFact Checker: Shivani MagoThis podcast is created by the ⁠Centre for Communication Governance⁠ at NLUD. Reach out for any queries / suggestions at [email protected] (The opinions expressed in the episode are personal to the speaker. The University does not subscribe to the views expressed in the episode and does not take any responsibility for the same.)

AI is increasingly being deployed in key sectors like healthcare. But how effective is its use? What problems do we see in implementing AI in high stakes scenarios like cancer diagnostics? In Episode 04 of The CCG Tech Podcast, Fawaz and Jhalak speak with Professor Subhashis Banerjee on the ground realities of AI deployment in healthcare. They look at its efficacy, use in diagnostics, the need for human in the loop, data standards, problems of manpower and skilling, and regulation.Subhashis Banerjee is the Head of the Department & Professor of Computer Science at Ashoka University. He was with the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at IIT Delhi from 1990 till August 2023. Subhashis’ primary areas of research are computer vision and machine learning, with a special emphasis on geometric algorithms. He has worked extensively on design of computing and networking infrastructure and IT services and in developing the supercomputing infrastructure at IIT Delhi, which is one of the largest in the country. Resources:Dataset worked on by IIT Delhi that has been installed at AIIMS About Antimicrobial resistance Hosts: Fawaz Shaheen, Jhalak KakkarEditor: Gopika PFact Checker: This podcast is created by the ⁠Centre for Communication Governance⁠ at NLUD. Reach out for any queries / suggestions at [email protected] (The opinions expressed in the episode are personal to the speaker. The University does not subscribe to the views expressed in the episode and does not take any responsibility for the same.)

With the AI landscape rapidly expanding in India, how is it being applied in healthcare? What safeguards exist to prevent errors and misuse of AI?In this episode, Shashank and Joanne speak to Amrita Sengupta on the use of AI in healthcare in India. They speak on auditing as a governance mechanism for AI and on using a data supply chain framework to understand the AI lifecycle for a healthcare application. They also look at ways to move towards safe and responsible data use in AI systems and adoption of accountability frameworks such as audits in India.Amrita Sengupta is a research fellow at the CyberBRICS project. She was previously a Research and Programme Lead at the Centre for Internet and Society, India, where she focused on research at the intersection of technology and society.  Her research interests and work lie in the areas of gender and technology, digital cultures, ethics in research methods, digital access, algorithmic biases and tech design, AI governance, and sustainability and tech.Resources:AI for Healthcare: Understanding Data Supply Chain and Auditability in India Navigating the Digitalisation of Finance: User experiences of risks and harms Report on AI governance guidelines development Hosts: Joanne D’Cunha, Shashank MohanEditor: Gopika PFact Checker: Joanne D’CunhaThis podcast is created by the ⁠Centre for Communication Governance⁠ at NLUD. Reach out for any queries / suggestions at [email protected] (The opinions expressed in the episode are personal to the speaker. The University does not subscribe to the views expressed in the episode and does not take any responsibility for the same.)

How can India develop AI for social good and what does it involve to achieve it? How is India's thinking shaping up on the unique opportunity to host the AI summit in 2026?In Episode 02 of Season 3 of the CCG Tech Podcast, Jhalak and Shashank speak to Abhishek Singh, CEO, IndiaAI Mission & Additional Secretary, MeitY about the work of the IndiaAI Mission & India's hosting of the next AI Summit to be called the AI Impact Summit to be held on Feb 19-20, 2026. He shares how the Summit will focus on the impact of AI across various sectors to understand both risks and benefits from the use of AI. The Summit will take a "whole of India" approach by partnering with various stakeholders along with a clear goal to ensure participation from countries in the Global South. The discussion also dives into the various uses of AI and how best to leverage it for social good across sectors in India. Through this exploration, the episode engages with aspects of the India AI mission, what may be involved in balancing innovation and safety, including the role of existing regulation in responding to user and data harms from AI.Abhishek Singh is CEO, IndiaAI Mission & Additional Secretary, MeitY with responsibilities of Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Technologies, Cyber Security and Digital Skilling. He has previously served as CEO, Karmayogi Bharat in Department of Personnel & Training; and CEO NeGD, DIC and MyGov in Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, Government of India. In April 2025, he also assumed charge as the Director General, National Informatics Centre (NIC).Resources:The IndiaAI Mission and its pillarsIndiaAI mission use case library on sectoral applications of AI in IndiaAIKoshHosts: Jhalak Kakkar, Shashank MohanEditor: Gopika PFact Checker: Joanne D’CunhaThis podcast is created by the ⁠Centre for Communication Governance⁠ at NLUD. Reach out for any queries / suggestions at [email protected] (The opinions expressed in the episode are personal to the speaker. The University does not subscribe to the views expressed in the episode and does not take any responsibility for the same.)

How do biased large language models (LLMs) impact women users in India, and what can be done to make these systems more fair and inclusive?In Episode 01 of Season 3 of the CCG Tech Podcast, Shashank and Tejaswita speak to Aarushi Gupta about how LLMs are increasingly being used across sectors like education, healthcare, and agriculture. As these tools become default sources of knowledge and assistance, they discuss what the gendered consequences are of relying on AI systems that may replicate and reinforce existing inequalities.The discussion unpacks the manifestation of gender bias across various stages of the LLM lifecycle, from training data and model development to real-world deployment. It highlights how such biases can restrict access to accurate information, reinforce discriminatory norms, and compromise user safety. The episode also considers possible mitigation strategies and identifies concrete steps that developers, policymakers, and other stakeholders can take to promote fairness, accountability, and inclusivity in the design and deployment of AI systems. Aarushi Gupta is a Senior Research Manager at Digital Futures Lab. With expertise in AI ethics, gender relations, and digital governance, she spearheads key projects at DFL, bridging both theoretical and applied research. Her recent work delves into gender biases in large language models designed for Indian languages, with a focus on critical social sectors such as healthcare and agriculture.Resources:A Primer on Mitigating Gender Biases in LLMs: Insights from the Indian ContextHosts: Shashank Mohan, Tejaswita KharelEditor: Gopika PFact Checker: Sukriti, Rahul JayaramanThis podcast is created by the ⁠Centre for Communication Governance⁠ at NLUD. Reach out for any queries / suggestions at [email protected] (The opinions expressed in the episode are personal to the speaker. The University does not subscribe to the views expressed in the episode and does not take any responsibility for the same.)

As young people’s access to online spaces increase, the question of how we can create safe spaces for them becomes increasingly important. In this context, Joanne and Shashank speak with Uthara Ganesh at Snap Inc. about the existing trust and safety measures designed for young people on the internet. They look at areas like threat detection mechanisms, safety by design, parental consent & encryption, data protection laws and the future of trust and safety measures in India. Uthara Ganesh is currently the Head of Public Policy, India and South Asia at Snap Inc. For over 13 years, she has worked with government officials to develop policies that benefit South Asia’s digital ecosystem. Her areas of expertise include privacy and data protection, cloud computing, over-the-top (OTT) services, digital taxation, and online content regulation. Resources: Correction at 0:55 - Snapchat Reaches Over 200 Million Monthly Active Users In India More than 80% of Snapchat’s Indian users are between ages 13-24 Recommendation algorithms and the Rabbit Hole effect Snapchat’s safety technologies including protecting against stranger interactions, automated filters for content moderation Snapchat’s ephemerality feature Snapchat’s family centre feature Kids Online Safety Act in the United States https://blog.ipleaders.in/pocso-act-everything-you-need-to-know/ Age Appropriate Design Code in the United Kingdom The Pre-Legislative Consultation Policy (PLCP) of 2014 in India Hosts: Joanne D’Cunha, Shashank Mohan Editor: Gopika P Fact Checker: Joanne D’Cunha This podcast is created by the ⁠Centre for Communication Governance⁠ at NLUD. Reach out for any queries / suggestions at [email protected] (The opinions expressed in the episode are personal to the speaker. The University does not subscribe to the views expressed in the episode and does not take any responsibility for the same.)

In this episode, Tavishi and Shobhit speak with Francisco Brito Cruz of InternetLab on platform transparency in the Brazilian context. They look at how it is applied in global majority countries, ideas on risk assessments and data access mechanisms, independent regulators and what meaningful transparency would mean for an ordinary user. Francisco Brito Cruz [Chico] is the Executive Director and co-founder of InternetLab. He is a lawyer, holding a bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree from the University of São Paulo Law School (FDUSP). Currently, he is a professor in the Digital Law postgraduate program at Fundação Getúlio Vargas Law School in São Paulo and a member of the Steering Committee of the World Movement for Democracy. InternetLab is an independent think tank focused on human rights and digital technologies. It is based in São Paulo, Brazil, and since 2014 works as a non-profit organization. As a human rights organization, they believe that the digital environment must be vibrant, creative, inclusive, protective to fundamental rights, an enabler to the quality of the democratic public sphere, and a promoter of social justice. Hosts: Tavishi, Shobhit Editor: Gopika P Fact Checker: Sukriti This podcast is created by the ⁠Centre for Communication Governance⁠ at NLUD. Reach out for any queries / suggestions at [email protected] (The opinions expressed in the episode are personal to the speaker. The University does not subscribe to the views expressed in the episode and does not take any responsibility for the same.)

With the exponential growth of gig platforms and gig work in India, efforts have been made to try and regulate their impact. In this backdrop, Fawaz and Shobhit speak with Soujanya Sridharan and Ritvik Gupta from Aapti Institute on how the gig economy is evolving in India.  They look at the state of gig work in India, the pros and cons of platformisation, the issues of algorithmic opacity and the ways in which legislative interventions can be applied. Soujanya Sridharan is a Manager at Aapti Institute. At Aapti, her research revolves around forging human-centric pathways to platform and data governance. Her interest in tech policy stems from her thesis research on labour unions within India’s IT industry.  Ritvik Gupta is a Senior analyst at Aapti Institute. Much of his work focuses on India's growing platform economy, particularly location-based, platform-mediated gig work.  Aapti is a public research institution that examines lived experiences at the intersection of technology and society. They generate insights for policy-making and technology development based on grounded research and analysis.  Resources:  Aapti - https://aapti.in/  India’s Booming Gig and Platform Economy (NITI Ayog Report) - https://www.niti.gov.in/sites/default/files/2022-06/25th_June_Final_Report_27062022.pdf  Karnataka’s ban on platform mediated auto services (2022) - https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/bengaluru-news/ktaka-bans-ola-uber-from-providing-auto-services-101665514024401.html  IFAT’s Writ Petition before the Supreme Court seeking social security for gig workers (2021) - https://www.scobserver.in/reports/gig-workers-access-to-social-security-the-indian-federation-of-app-based-transport-workers-ifat-v-union-of-india-writ-petition-summary/  Karnataka’s Gig Workers’s Bill - https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/what-does-the-karnataka-bill-promise-gig-workers-explained/article68375781.ece  Aapti’s report on Building the Driver Advisory Council - https://aapti.in/blog/building-the-driver-advisory-council/  Joint comments by Aapti Institute, IFAT and Vidhi Legal on the Karnataka Platform Based Gig workers (Social Security and Welfare) Bill, 2024 -  https://aapti.in/blog/joint-comments-by-aapti-institute-ifat-and-vidhi-legal-on-the-karnataka-platform-based-gig-workers-social-security-and-welfare-bill-2024/  Aapti’s Recommendations on the Karnataka Gig Workers (Conditions of Service and Welfare) Bill, 2024 - https://aapti.in/blog/recommendations-on-the-karnataka-gig-workers-conditions-of-service-and-welfare-bill-2024/  Hosts: Fawaz Shaheen, Shobhit Editor: Gopika P Fact Checker: Sukriti This podcast is created by the ⁠Centre for Communication Governance⁠ at NLUD. Reach out for any queries / suggestions at [email protected]  (The opinions expressed in the episode are personal to the speaker. The University does not subscribe to the views expressed in the episode and does not take any responsibility for the same.)

The past decade has seen an exponential growth in gig work on platforms. AI plays a critical role in the way these gig platforms function. In this episode, Aishwarya and Nidhi speak with Jane Loo and Nadia Dabee about the role AI plays in the gig economy. They look at how gig work differs from traditional work, models for worker rights, safety and discrimination, and the future of the gig economy on platforms.  Jane Loo is a Senior Research Associate at Singapore Management University’s Centre of AI and Data Governance and Adjunct Faculty at the SMU Yong Pung How School of Law. She works at the intersection of AI and access to justice. Her current research focuses on the impact of the gig economy and comparative approaches to AI governance including Singapore’s AI governance approach versus the EU AI Act.  Dr Nadia Dabee is a senior lecturer at the Business School, University of Auckland, where she teaches employment law and taxation law. She is also a teaching award recipient and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (United Kingdom). She pursues research in health & safety law and employment law with an aim of improving outcomes for workers. Resources:  Computer program that won against a human - alpha go https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/ais-victories-in-go-inspire-better-human-game-playing/ Uber drivers in Sweden and agreement with Uber Sweden - https://www.business-humanrights.org/my/latest-news/sweden-uber-bolt-drivers-demand-pay-increase-recognition-of-union-in-first-ever-strike-incl-co-comments/ EU (Germany, Spain) authorities classify some gig workers as employees - https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-deal-gig-workers-employees-drivers-contractors-employees-labor-rights/ Singapore identifies platform workers as a new and distinct category of workers in Singapore - https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/platform-workers-bill-food-delivery-riders-ride-hailing-protections-parliament-4596531 Australia has defined platform workers as a distinct category - https://theconversation.com/gig-workers-get-minimum-standards-from-monday-heres-what-will-change-237016#:~:text=The%20new%20law%20empowers%20the,ride%20share%20and%20personal%20carez EU Parliament regulation on gig work - https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/technology/can-eus-gig-worker-rules-tame-management-by-algorithm/articleshow/108543250.cms?from=mdr NZ regulation on the number of breaks a driver must have - https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/uber-introduces-safety-feature-forcing-drivers-to-rest-follow-nzta-rules/HJP3KWTEYEV7SEYOISEPBXVYDI/ Hosts: Aishwarya Giridhar, Nidhi Singh Editor: Gopika P Fact Checker: Srija Naskar This podcast is created by the ⁠Centre for Communication Governance⁠ at NLUD. Reach out for any queries / suggestions at [email protected]  (The opinions expressed in the episode are personal to the speaker. The University does not subscribe to the views expressed in the episode and does not take any responsibility for the same.)

How does competition work in digital markets? Do we need to regulate it the same way we do for other sectors? These are some of the questions addressed in this episode where Aishwarya and Joanne speak with Manjushree RM. They look at competition regulation in digital markets, concentration of power among platforms, the harms to consumers, the situation in India, and the new draft Digital Competition Bill. Manjushree RM is a Senior Resident Fellow and Team Lead at VIDHI Centre for Legal Policy. She has previously advised the Ministry of Corporate Affairs on the Competition (Amendment) Bill, 2022, and has also advised the International Financial Services Centre Authority. Her primary areas of interest are International Economic Law and Competition Law. Resources:  Report of the Committee on Digital Competition Law (CDCL)  Formation of the Competition Law Review Committee (CLRC) The concept of network effects The concept of consumer welfare The concept of relevant market The Digital Competition Bill and it’s requirements from SSDEs (DCB) The effects doctrine Interoperability and data portability under the EU Digital Markets Act (DMA) Hosts: Aishwarya Giridhar, Joanne D’Cunha Editor: Gopika P Fact Checker: Joanne D’Cunha This podcast is created by the ⁠Centre for Communication Governance⁠ at NLUD. Reach out for any queries / suggestions at [email protected]  (The opinions expressed in the episode are personal to the speaker. The University does not subscribe to the views expressed in the episode and does not take any responsibility for the same.)

How can we address the issue of online violence faced by women and children? In what ways can platforms and law enforcement help the process? These are some of the questions addressed in this episode where Shashank and Tavishi speak with Uma Subramanian. They look at online violence in India, the particular harms faced by women and children, the role of platforms and law enforcement, the problems in reporting, and the work done in this field by RATI.  Uma Subramanian is a social worker and has over 15 years of experience of working with children at risk. She conceptualised and co-founded RATI (Rights. Action. Technology. Inclusion.) and its Aarambh India Initiative. Under the leadership of Uma & her co-founder Siddharth Pillai, the Aarambh India initiative was awarded the Presidential National Award in the year 2017 for their groundbreaking work on Reporting of Child Sexal Abuse Material. At RATI, Uma leads the fundraising, oversees the strategic direction of the organisation and contributes across all programs in implementation of on-ground interventions. Resources:  cybercrime.gov.in portal : https://cybercrime.gov.in/ Data between 2020-2023 : more than 22 lakh complaints on this portal (source): https://ciso.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/cybercrime-fraud/national-cybercrime-portal-got-21-lakh-cases-firs-in-only-2/101268153#:~:text=Delhi%20received%20216%2C739%20complaints%20on,obtained%20by%20activist%20Jeetendra%20Ghadge.  Rati's Trustline: https://ratifoundation.org/meri-trustline/  Stop NCII: https://stopncii.org/ Internet Watch Foundation hotline : https://www.iwf.org.uk/our-technology/ Keyword stuffing: https://developers.google.com/search/docs/essentials/spam-policies#keyword-stuffing Hosts: Shashank Mohan, Tavishi Ahluwalia Editor: Gopika P Fact Checker: Srija Naskar, Joanne D’Cunha This podcast is created by the ⁠Centre for Communication Governance⁠ at NLUD. Reach out for any queries / suggestions at [email protected]  (The opinions expressed in the episode are personal to the speaker. The University does not subscribe to the views expressed in the episode and does not take any responsibility for the same.)

What role do trust and safety teams play in platforms? Do we need to change the way they operate? Is governmental interventions in their function necessary? These are some of the questions addressed in this episode where Jhalak and Sachin speak with Mahima Kaul. They look at the function of trust and safety teams, the unequal distribution of resources across regions, the future of content moderation, thoughts on the coming Digital India Bill, and the differences in approach between public and private platforms. Until recently, Mahima Kaul led Bumble's public policy work in the Asia-Pacific region. She supported research in India to develop a framework to tackle technology-facilitated gender-based violence, including risks posed by AI, by partnering with a think tank. She also worked with the Australian government on voluntary codes for the dating app industry and industry codes under the Online Safety Act. Previously, Kaul established Twitter's public policy presence in India and South Asia over a six-year stint. She managed the public policy efforts ranging from intermediary rules, codes for social media during elections, data protection, and online safety impacting users. Resources:  TikTok controversy in the US - https://www.nytimes.com/article/tiktok-ban.html  Australia - Online Safety Act - industry specific codes - https://www.esafety.gov.au/industry/codes  DIA to replace IT Act - https://www.livemint.com/news/government-holds-first-consultation-on-digital-india-act-to-replace-it-act-2000-11678440033837.html  How children in slums use social media / caste, class etc. - https://www.aup.nl/en/book/9789048559947/childrens-digital-experiences-in-indian-slums  Bumble’s proprietary technology to blur pictures in DMs- https://bumble.com/en-in/the-buzz/privatedetector - https://bumble.com/en-in/the-buzz/bumble-open-source-private-detector-ai-cyberflashing-dick-pics Hosts: Jhalak Kakkar, Sachin Dhawan Editor: Gopika P Fact Checker: Sukriti This podcast is created by the ⁠Centre for Communication Governance⁠ at NLUD. Reach out for any queries / suggestions at [email protected]  (The opinions expressed in the episode are personal to the speaker. The University does not subscribe to the views expressed in the episode and does not take any responsibility for the same.)

One of the most talked about aspects of AI today is Facial Recognition Technologies (FRTs). States and private parties both are trying their best to find new ways to use this tech - even as regulation lags behind. In Episode 05 of Season 02 of the CCG Tech Podcast, Joanne and Nidhi speak to Abhinav Sekhri on the reality of FRT use in India. They delve into the status of FRT in India, how it’s used, what the possible future ramifications it could have and if we are in a place to even have effective policies for regulating FRTs. Abhinav Sekhri is a lawyer in New Delhi, primarily practicing in criminal Law. He regularly writes about criminal law and procedure in scholarly journals, newspapers and is also founder of a criminal law blog, “The Proof of guilt” which has a very wide circulation especially amongst young law students.  Resources:  “The Proof of guilt” -  http://www.theproofofguilt.blogspot.in/  Matter before Telangana HC : https://internetfreedom.in/telangana-high-court-issues-notice-in-indias-first-legal-challenge-to-the-deployment-of-facial-recognition-technology/  Matter before Madras HC: https://internetfreedom.in/tamil-nadu-frt-challenge/  Telangana/AP state's use of FRT to prevent voter fraud :  https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/hyderabad/telangana-municipal-polls-facial-recognition-app-to-be-used-in-10-polling-booths-on-pilot-basis/  CCTNS which is a centralised database built as a pan-gov measure : https://digitalpolice.gov.in/DigitalPolice/AboutUs  Ed Bridges litigation : https://www.libertyhumanrights.org.uk/issue/legal-challenge-ed-bridges-v-south-wales-police/#:~:text=The%20judgment%20means%20the%20police,were%20breached%20as%20a%20result.  Hosts: Joanne D’Cunha, Nidhi Singh Editor: Gopika P Fact Checker: Srija Naskar This podcast is created by the ⁠Centre for Communication Governance⁠ at NLUD. Reach out for any queries / suggestions at [email protected]  (The opinions expressed in the episode are personal to the speaker. The University does not subscribe to the views expressed in the episode and does not take any responsibility for the same.)

Every click on the internet involves multiple parties. From the user to service providers to tech giants and companies. But how does one make sure that one can trust all parties to safeguard their rights? Should there be exceptions to these safeguards? In Episode 04 of Season 02 of the CCG Tech Podcast, Aishwarya and Jhalak speak to Robin Wilton on the ideas of trustworthiness of the internet. They delve deep into how encryption plays into this, the challenges to encryption raised by parties such as law enforcement, the trends in global policy about this and how we need to think of decentralisation models for the internet. Robin Wilton is the Internet Society’s Director for Internet Trust, helping to advocate for an Internet that fulfils people’s expectations of privacy, security, and trustworthiness. He has over 35 years of experience in the IT industry which has given him a solid technical background with experience in systems engineering, consultancy, program management, and policy-level advocacy. He translates between stakeholders in technology, policy, and business, aiming for technology-driven innovation that is secure, sustainable, and ethical. Resources:  Internet Society   Privacy and Security – Optimization not Balance (Joe Ahladeff)   Whatsapp hearing before Delhi High Court Collective statement from a few years ago by countries on the need to break end to end encryption Privacy International’s Response to Investigatory Powers Amendment Bill Consultation Exercise on Investigtory Powers Act last september Conference on Network and Distributed Systems Security Hosts: Aishwarya Giridhar, Jhalak Kakkar Editor: Gopika P Fact Checker: Sukriti This podcast is created by the ⁠Centre for Communication Governance⁠ at NLUD. Reach out for any queries / suggestions at [email protected]  (The opinions expressed in the episode are personal to the speaker. The University does not subscribe to the views expressed in the episode and does not take any responsibility for the same.)

In Episode 03 of Season 02 of the CCG Tech Podcast, Aishwarya and Shashank speak to Prateek Waghre on the major digital rights issues in the run-up to the elections. They discuss the role played by generative AI, the response from industry and government and ways to combat problems of misinformation. Prateek Waghre is the Executive Director at the Internet Freedom Foundation. His research and work has focused on the impact of technology in democratic networked societies, the role of misinformation and disinformation in the information ecosystem, the governance of digital communication networks, data privacy, internet shutdowns, and major issues affecting the internet policy space in India. Hosts: Aishwarya Giridhar, Shashank Mohan Editor: Gopika P Fact Checker: Srija Naskar This podcast is created by the ⁠Centre for Communication Governance⁠ at NLUD. Reach out for any queries / suggestions at [email protected]  (The opinions expressed in the episode are personal to the speaker. The University does not subscribe to the views expressed in the episode and does not take any responsibility for the same.)

Don’t know whether the content you’re seeing online is real? Or maybe it's AI generated content? As 2024 is the biggest election year in history, countering online mis/disinformation has become an increasingly urgent and pressing concern. Increasing capabilities of Generative AI is also resulting in rampant misuse of the tech towards the spread of mis/disinformation. In this episode of the CCG Tech Podcast, Aishwarya and Fawaz speak to Karen Rebelo about countering mis/disinformation online through fact-checking. They discuss the weaponisation of mis/disinformation, the misconceptions about fact-checking, the fact-checking process, and the challenges to fact-checking, particularly with the rise of AI-generated content. Karen Rebelo is a journalist, fact-checker and Deputy Editor at BOOM Live⁠, a fact-checking organisation based in Mumbai. Resources: Madhya Pradesh politician’s voice cloned to spread disinformation  Morphed photo of wrestlers smiling in detention  Hosts: Aishwarya Giridhar, Fawaz Shaheen Editor: Gopika P Fact Checker: Sukriti This podcast is created by the ⁠Centre for Communication Governance⁠ at NLUD. Reach out for any queries / suggestions at [email protected]  (The opinions expressed in the episode are personal to the speaker. The University does not subscribe to the views expressed in the episode and does not take any responsibility for the same.)

How much does gender influence the digital divide in India? How do marginalized genders use the internet to access and build safe spaces? How far does anonymity go in a digital space? In Episode 01 of Season 02 of the CCG Tech Podcast, Aishwarya and Shashank speak to Bishakha Datta on the dimensions of the digital divide and gender in India. They discuss the ways in which the divide manifests, who exercises what control, on transfer of norms to online spaces, anonymity on the internet, and how the internet helps build safe spaces and community.  Bishakha Datta is a film maker, activist and a former journalist. She is the co-founder and executive director of Point of View, based in Mumbai, a non-profit working in the area of gender, sexuality and women's rights. She also serves on the board of nonprofit organizations including Creating Resources for Empowerment in Action and the Wikimedia Foundation (2010–2014), where she was the first Indian to serve on the board of trustees. Hosts: Aishwarya Giridhar, Shashank Mohan Editor: Gopika P Fact Checker: Sukriti This podcast is created by the ⁠Centre for Communication Governance⁠ at NLU-D. Reach out for any queries / suggestions at [email protected]  The opinions expressed in the episode are personal to the speaker. The University does not subscribe to the views expressed in the episode and does not take any responsibility for the same.)

Net neutrality keeps coming up in public discourse in India ever since the #SaveTheInternet campaign in 2015. Recently TRAI put out a consultation on OTT regulation and selective banning of apps which has brought back the discussion on net neutrality.  In this episode, Jhalak and Shashank speak to Apar about the importance of net neutrality, his experience with the #SaveTheInternet campaign, the recent TRAI consultation on the regulation of OTT (over-the-top) communication services, internet shutdowns and the selective banning of applications. Apar Gupta is a lawyer dedicated to advancing and protecting digital rights. He has over 13 years of experience as a lawyer and a social entrepreneur, specializing in the intersection of technology and democratic rights. He previously served as the Executive Director and later Founder Director of the Internet Freedom Foundation where he led and supported various initiatives to promote digital freedom and safeguard fundamental rights, most notably running the SaveTheInternet.in movement for net neutrality.  Resources For more on Apar Gupta Apar on internet shutdowns in Manipur For more on the recent TRAI consultation: https://cyberlaw.stanford.edu/publications/response-telecom-regulatory-authority-indias-consultation-regulatory-mechanism-over   https://cyberlaw.stanford.edu/publications/counter-comments-telecom-regulatory-authority-india%E2%80%99s-consultation-regulatory-mechanism  Hosts: Jhalak M. Kakkar, Shashank Mohan Editor: Gopika P Fact Checker: Srija Naskar Supported by: Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom This podcast is created by the ⁠Centre for Communication Governance⁠ at NLU-D. Reach out for any queries / suggestions at [email protected]

When there is a gap in legislation, it often falls to the court to fill the gap. This is absolutely true in the case of digital rights in India. As the law plays catch up more often than not, the courts have stepped up to safeguard citizen’s rights. In this episode, Shashank and Tejaswita speak with Shrutanjaya Bhardwaj on the role of the judiciary in expanding digital rights in India, the challenges faced by the bar and the bench, and the role of academic institutions within the ecosystem. Shrutanjaya Bhardwaj is a practising lawyer with 7 years of experience in litigation at the Supreme Court, the Delhi High Court, the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), and various arbitral tribunals. Besides his law practice, he teaches, researches and writes on constitutional interpretation, free speech, judicial process, reservations, media law, human dignity and religious freedom. Shrutanjaya also hosts Law Vaarta, a podcast where legal issues are simplified and explained in a colloquial mix of Hindi and English. Hosts: Shashank Mohan, Tejaswita Kharel Editor: Gopika P Supported by: Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom This podcast is created by the ⁠Centre for Communication Governance⁠ at NLU-D. Reach out for any queries / suggestions at [email protected]

Recently, the Government of India amended rules under the IT Act to introduce the requirement that encourages services like YouTube, Facebook and Instagram take down misinformation related to the government. Under these rules, a fact checking unit will be established for flagging such misinformation. This amendment was recently challenged before the Bombay High Court and we are currently awaiting judgment. In this episode, Jhalak and Shashank speak with Rakesh Maheshwari on the amendment and the challenge before the Bombay High Court.  Rakesh Maheshwari is a former Government Officer having worked for more than 35 years in Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and retired as Sr. Director and Group Co-ordinator, Cyber Law and data Governance. He is an Engineer in Electronics and Comm. by qualification from Delhi College of Engineering. Hosts: Jhalak M. Kakkar, Shashank Mohan Editor: Gopika P Fact Checker: Sukriti Supported by: Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom This podcast is created by the ⁠Centre for Communication Governance⁠ at NLU-D. Reach out for any queries / suggestions at [email protected]

From drafting student essays to writing storyboards and creating music, AI today seems to be able to do it all. ChatGPT and similar models have taken the world by storm. But what exactly are these AI systems? How do they work? In this two part conversation, Nidhi and Aishwarya speak to Charitarth Bharti about generative AI, specifically, about Large Language Models (LLMs). In part 2, they discuss publicly available data and their implications for privacy and data protection, how training data affects LLMs, and the global AI arms race. Charitarth Bharti is a lawyer and policy professional working in areas relating to privacy, AI, and technology. He is particularly interested in the intersection of AI ethics and privacy from a business as well as a social policy angle. Charitarth is currently a Senior Consultant at EY, and is an external researcher with CCG. Hosts: Aishwarya Giridhar, Nidhi Singh Editor: Gopika P Supported by: Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom This podcast is created by the ⁠Centre for Communication Governance⁠ at NLU-D. Reach out for any queries / suggestions at [email protected] 

From drafting student essays to writing storyboards and creating music, AI today seems to be able to do it all. ChatGPT and similar models have taken the world by storm. But what exactly are these AI systems? How do they work? In this two part conversation, Nidhi and Aishwarya speak to Charitarth Bharti about generative AI, specifically, about Large Language Models (LLMs). In part 1, they discuss what LLMs are, how they are used, the changes they have caused to the job market, and their implications for privacy and data protection. Charitarth Bharti is a lawyer and policy professional working in areas relating to privacy, AI, and technology. He is particularly interested in the intersection of AI ethics and privacy from a business as well as a social policy angle. Charitarth is currently a Senior Consultant at EY, and is an external researcher with CCG. Hosts: Aishwarya Giridhar, Nidhi Singh Editor: Gopika P Supported by: Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom This podcast is created by the ⁠Centre for Communication Governance⁠ at NLU-D. Reach out for any queries / suggestions at [email protected] 

With the expansion of communication technologies, there has been an increase in the spread of ‘fake news’ all over the world. But what is ‘fake news’ exactly? Is it different from mis/disinformation, and should we be using those terms instead?  In this episode, Nidhi and Shashank speak to Tarunima Prabhakar from Tattle about the misinformation ecosystem in India. They discuss what misinformation is, the depth of the problem in India, how it spreads over channels like WhatsApp, and how we can guard against misinformation as we consume content online.  Tarunima Prabhakar is a researcher working at the intersection of technology, policy and global development. She co-founded Tattle, which builds citizen centric tools and datasets to respond to inaccurate and harmful content in India.  Resources For more on Tarunima Prabhakar - https://tarunima.com/  Tattle - https://tattle.co.in/  Hosts: Nidhi Singh, Shashank Mohan Editor: Gopika P Fact Checker: Sukriti Supported by: Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom This podcast is created by the ⁠Centre for Communication Governance⁠ at NLU-D. Reach out for any queries / suggestions at [email protected]

Some in AI circles consider emotion recognition to be the next logical step beyond facial recognition. But can my emotions predict my future actions? Is it really possible to accurately recognise emotions from outward expressions? In this episode, Nidhi and Shashank are in conversation with Vidushi Marda on Emotion Recognition Technologies (ERTs). They discuss what ERTs are, the ‘science’ behind it, and what implications it holds for people.  Vidushi Marda is a lawyer and researcher who investigates the societal impact of artificial intelligence (AI) systems. Her work engages with technical, policy, academic and advocacy communities. She has produced pioneering research on machine learning particularly in non-Western jurisdictions. Most recently, she has been actively involved in advocacy efforts at the EU level vis-a-vis the EU AI Act, and is a regular contributor to United Nations resolutions on privacy, freedom of expression and digital technologies.  Resources: For more on Vidushi Marda - https://vidushimarda.com/  Emotion Recognition and the Limits of Data Protection, p. 94-108 of Emerging Trends in Data Governance Racial Influence on Automated Perceptions of Emotions by Lauren Rhue Hosts: Shashank Mohan & Nidhi Singh Editor: Gopika P Fact Checker: Srija Naskar Supported by: Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom This podcast is created by the Centre for Communication Governance at NLU-D. You can also find the podcast on YouTube. Reach out for any queries / suggestions at [email protected]

Close to six years after the Puttaswamy judgement, India finally has a dedicated Digital Personal Data Protection Act. But what does this mean for the average internet user? Do they have more control over their own data? Jhalak and Shashank of CCG converse on these and more in this episode. They break down the rights given to individuals under the Act, the remedies available and the gaps within.  Resources: Privacy Law Library CCG website CCG’s Comments on the Bill (2022)  Hosts: Jhalak M. Kakkar, Shashank Mohan Editor: Gopika P Supported by: Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom

What are the biggest challenges and opportunities for internet regulation from the Brazilian perspective? In this episode, Prof. Sérgio Branco helps us understand developments on fake news legislation, the right to be forgotten and data protection in Brazil. He also shares with us lessons for India on the implementation and enforcement of Brazil’s data protection law, and his thoughts on the future of internet regulation in Brazil.  Prof. Sérgio Branco is a lawyer, academic, and intellectual property specialist. As an intellectual property specialist from PUC-Rio, Branco has written several books on the topic, including “Memory and Forgetting on the Internet,” “Copyright on the Internet and the Use of Third Parties’ Works,” “The Public Domain in Brazilian Copyright Law – A Work in the Public Domain,” “What is Creative Commons – New Copyright Models in a More Creative World.” Branco is also a co-founder and director of Institute for Technology & Society. Hosts: Shashank Mohan, Aishwarya Giridhar Editors: Ananya Moncourt, Gopika P Supported by: Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom 

What is the narrative we’re seeing around the Brussels Effect and what are some of its limitations? How do varying geopolitical environments impact data regulation? As deliberation around tech regulation and adoption of data governance frameworks increases globally, Dr. Ingrid Schneider shares her expertise on the German approach to this question and how it is linked to the EU’s take on it. We also explore developing trends in regulation of data across India, Brazil, Mexico and the EU, and differences in these approaches.  Professor Ingrid Schneider is a distinguished political scientist and professor at the University of Hamburg in Germany. Her expertise lies in the intricate relationship between digitalization, society, and political dimensions. Currently, she is actively involved in a project funded by the European Union that aims to promote sustainable development through research on the effects of digitisation in Mexico, Brazil, India, Indonesia, South Africa and Europe. The Brussels Effect: How the European Union Rules the World (Bradford, 2020)   A Chance for India to Shape a Data Governance Regime (Schneider, 2023) Hosts: Shashank Mohan & Aishwarya Giridhar Editors: Ananya Moncourt & Gopika P Supported by: Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom

As India contemplates new regulations for platforms, particularly larger online platforms, we speak with Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Schulz about effective enforcement of laws on platform regulation, appropriate regulatory structures, and key elements that platform governance laws across the globe should consider. In July 2022, the European Parliament approved the Digital Service Act (DSA) and the Digital Markets Act (DMA) to ensure user safety online, protect fundamental rights, and maintain a fair and open online platform environment. In this episode of the The CCG Tech Podcast, Prof. Schulz draws from his experience following and participating in the drafting process of the DSA to share learnings for other countries to consider.About Our Guest Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Schulz is Research Director of the Hans-Bredow-Institute for Media Research. He has been a lecturer in the Information and Communication specialization of the Faculty of Law at the University of Hamburg since 1997. He also holds the UNESCO Chair on Freedom of Communication and Information.ResourcesAbout the Digital Services Act (DSA)About the Digital Markets Act (DMA)Hosts: Shashank Mohan & Aishwarya GiridharEditors: Ananya Moncourt & Gopika PSupported by: Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom