Course overview

Neo-Nazis, Islamic State supporters and the “Incel” movement are only a few of the movements that peddle hate and have had members involved in terrorism and political violence. In addition, states often play a dangerous role. The government of Myanmar, for example, has pushed propaganda that contributed to genocidal levels of violence, while China and Russia spread disinformation and use technology as a tool of oppression. Finally, an array of conspiracists and politically motivated opportunists push a range of dangerous disinformation that threatens public health and safety. 

In the United States and many other democratic countries, even hateful groups have a right to free speech, but do they have a right to be on every technology platform? How do technology companies determine whom to ban and whom to permit to use their services? Are there alternative approaches to banning content or users that technology companies should consider? What are the business, human rights and legal implications of these choices? Which actors have a responsibility to act and why, if at all, should private businesses consider policing their platforms? These are some of the questions this course will address. 

Learning outcomes

Upon completing the course, you will have acquired the following skills and knowledge:

• A working understanding of internet architecture and its implications for policy, particularly as it relates to states and radical groups that exploit digital infrastructure
• Insights into the legal, business, policy and political environment facing internet companies
• Fluency in tech policy and national security risks in an international context

Class readings and assignments are intended to give you an understanding of the many challenges technology companies face, their financial incentives, the legal framework in the United States and internationally and how the natures of different technologies employed shape their responses.

Itinerary highlights

You will travel to Dublin, Ireland, to engage with technology company officials based there. These officials are often responsible for overseeing company relations in Europe and other parts of the world, trying to harmonize and balance U.S. and international concerns. Possible companies include Facebook, Google, Spotify, and Stripe (among many others), although the specifics will vary depending on your interest and the availability of company officials.

Professor information

Professor Daniel Byman

Daniel Byman is a professor in the School of Foreign Service with a concurrent appointment in the Department of Government at Georgetown University. He currently serves as the director of the Warfare, Irregular Threats, and Terrorism Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Dr. Byman held a major government position as a Professional Staff Member with the 9/11 Commission from 2002 to 2004. During this time, he also served with the Joint 9/11 Inquiry Staff of the House and Senate Intelligence Committees. Prior to this, Professor Byman worked as an analyst on the Middle East for the U.S. government and was the Research Director at the RAND Corporation’s Center for Middle East Public Policy. Professor Byman’s academic leadership includes two terms as director of Georgetown’s Security Studies Program and Center for Security Studies. He also led a Georgetown team in teaching a “Massive Open Online Course” (MOOC) on terrorism and counterterrorism for EdX. His articles on terrorism, international security, and the Middle East have been published in Foreign Affairs, the New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal.

Professor Ellen Clarke

Ellen Clarke is Security Counsel at Google, where she leads international legal strategies for cross-border data disclosure and security. An alumna of the Walsh School of Foreign Service, she previously served as a Trial Attorney at the U.S. Department of Justice through the Attorney General’s Honors Program. She is qualified as a solicitor in the U.S., UK, and Ireland, with a professional focus on the intersection of global technology policy, national security, and international law.