International tech platforms open up to independent scrutiny

A year-long independent review, with the participation of the BBC, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Popjam, Tinder and Meetic, looked at how organisations take decisions about online content.

Around the world, lawmakers are grappling with how to make digital spaces safer and fairer. In 2018 senior academics came together with international business and civil society leaders to develop a new way to advance digital responsibility.

The result will help regulators better understand the issues, and companies demonstrate accountability and leadership.

A year-long independent review, with the participation of the BBC, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Popjam (part of Super Awesome/Epic Games), Tinder and Meetic (both Match Group companies), looked at how organisations take decisions about online content.

The Internet Commission’s first accountability report shows that large organisations can open themselves up to independent scrutiny and benchmarking of content moderation processes, in a collaborative way and across borders.

Jonny Shipp, the Internet Commission’s Executive Chair, explains: “We looked at how organisations take decisions that mitigate the impact of digital services on individuals and society. The processes are often shrouded by complex regulation and sophisticated technologies. We shed light on how organisational culture and governance directs and reflects power and freedom online, offering independent evaluation to advance digital responsibility, corporate accountability and smart regulation.”

The Internet Commission is now expanding, having secured additional reporting partners.