When eight technology companies presented a plan this month to reform government surveillance, a key request concerned transparency. At Google, we were the first company to publish a transparency report detailing the requests we receive from governments around the world to bring down content or hand over information on users.
But Google’s report represents only a narrow snapshot. It is limited to a single company. Imagine instead if all the requests for information on Internet users and for takedowns of web content in a country could be published. This would give a much more effective picture of the state of Internet freedom. As the year draws to a close, we’re happy to report that Panoptykon, a Polish NGO, published this month a preliminary Internet transparency report for Poland and Fores, a Stockholm-based think tank, issued a study in Sweden.
In Poland and Sweden, we helped initiate these transparency efforts and supported them financially. NGOs in six other European countries are working on national transparency reports. Our Estonian-supported transparency coalition already published a report last spring. In addition, university researchers in Hong Kong moved ahead over the summer with their own report. In Strasbourg, the Council of Europe recently held an important conference on the subject and hopefully will move ahead to present a series of recommendations on transparency for its 47 members.
Each transparency campaign takes a different approach - we hope this process of experimentation will help all of us learn. The Estonian effort, titled Project 451, focuses on content removals, not government surveillance, because the authors believe this is the most important issue in their country. The name of Project “451″ refers to HTTP Status Code 451, defined as “unavailable for legal reasons” and the report found that many web platforms were taking legal content down due to fears of legal liability.
The new Polish and Swedish reports attempt to shed light on government requests for information on users. Fores contacted 339 Swedish authorities and found that more than a third had requested data about users or takedowns of user-uploaded content. Panoptykon uncovered that Polish telcos received 1.76 million requests for user information in 2012, while Internet companies polled received approximately 7,500. In addition, Panoptykon discovered that many Polish government requests for information on users were based on a flawed or unclear legal basis.
Admittedly, both the Swedish and Polish reports remain incomplete. Not all Internet companies participated. Much relevant data must be missing. Like with our own Google report, we hope to continue filling in the holes in the future. Our aim is to see this campaign gather momentum because the bottom line is transparency is essential to a debate over government surveillance powers.
Tampilkan postingan dengan label Sweden. Tampilkan semua postingan
Tampilkan postingan dengan label Sweden. Tampilkan semua postingan
Senin, 30 Desember 2013
Jumat, 06 Desember 2013
Streaming the Nobel Prize Awards
Since 1901, the Nobel Prize has marked the ultimate achievement in physics, chemistry, physiology, medicine, literature and peace. This year, we’re happy to announce that the The Nobel Foundation is live streaming on YouTube many of the key events during Nobel week.
Starting tomorrow at 1 p.m. Stockholm time, this years’s Nobel medicine winners James E. Rothman, Randy W. Schekman and Thomas C. Südhof will lecture on their discoveries of machinery regulating vesicle traffic, a major transport system in our cells. At 5:30 p.m. the Nobel Lecture in Literature Alice Munro will appear in a pre-recorded video conversation with the Laureate: "Alice Munro: In her own words".
On Sunday morning at 9 a.m., physics prize winners François Englert and Peter W. Higgs will appear. They were honored "for the theoretical discovery of a mechanism that contributes to our understanding of the origin of mass of subatomic particles." After physics, tune into hear the chemistry and economics winners.
Monday will be marked by a conversation with Nobel Laureates on the future of energy.
The ceremonies culminate on December 10 with the Nobel Peace Prize Award in Oslo at 1.00 p.m. and the Nobel Prize Award Ceremony in Stockholm, Sweden, at 4.30 p.m. from the Stockholm Concert Hall. This year’s prize went to to Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons "for its extensive efforts to eliminate chemical weapons".
Make sure to tune in to http://www.youtube.com/thenobelprize and join the conversation on google.com/+NobelPrize.
Starting tomorrow at 1 p.m. Stockholm time, this years’s Nobel medicine winners James E. Rothman, Randy W. Schekman and Thomas C. Südhof will lecture on their discoveries of machinery regulating vesicle traffic, a major transport system in our cells. At 5:30 p.m. the Nobel Lecture in Literature Alice Munro will appear in a pre-recorded video conversation with the Laureate: "Alice Munro: In her own words".
On Sunday morning at 9 a.m., physics prize winners François Englert and Peter W. Higgs will appear. They were honored "for the theoretical discovery of a mechanism that contributes to our understanding of the origin of mass of subatomic particles." After physics, tune into hear the chemistry and economics winners.
Monday will be marked by a conversation with Nobel Laureates on the future of energy.
The ceremonies culminate on December 10 with the Nobel Peace Prize Award in Oslo at 1.00 p.m. and the Nobel Prize Award Ceremony in Stockholm, Sweden, at 4.30 p.m. from the Stockholm Concert Hall. This year’s prize went to to Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons "for its extensive efforts to eliminate chemical weapons".
Make sure to tune in to http://www.youtube.com/thenobelprize and join the conversation on google.com/+NobelPrize.
Kamis, 05 Desember 2013
Culture on the web: the surprising rise of the new voices
Like many industries, the Internet has upended the world of news and culture. While it has undermined some traditional business models, media consultancy Oliver & Ohlbaum published two new studies that we commissioned this week showing that the net is powering the rise of exciting new voices and small players. YouTube stars are building fame online before securing a record deal or a film contract. Newshounds now discover, share, and comment on stories on platforms like Twitter and Facebook.
In the first study, Different media, different roles, different expectations: the nature of news consumption in the digital age, Oliver & Ohlbaum set out to answer the question of how the Internet affects access to and consumption of news. Are readers consuming more news than they did in the age of ink? From more or fewer sources? After surveying data from the UK and Germany, the researchers found:
A second study, The Internet and the creative industries: measuring growth within a changing sector ecology, examines current approaches to measuring the ‘creative sector’; and the impact of the internet on the role of independent artists and small businesses in the business of culture. Drawing on case studies from the UK, France and Sweden, the research finds that the Internet has increased the numbers of creative sector SMEs and 'sole traders.'
In the music industry of twenty years ago, for example, a single record label hired lawyers, accountants, cafeteria workers. Today, many of these roles are distributed among small businesses and independent players. A band might be discovered on YouTube, hire professionals on an hourly basis to handle contracts, self-publish and self-market.
Until now, most research has failed to take into account this structural shift toward ‘unorganized content producers,’ suggesting that they fail to capture a great deal of activity. See below.
What is needed, the researchers conclude, is a new way of measuring the culture industry. Specifically, this new measurement must identify and measure the contribution of SMEs and sole traders. Only when we have reliable statistics can we truly understand the Internet’s impact on the business of news and culture.
In the first study, Different media, different roles, different expectations: the nature of news consumption in the digital age, Oliver & Ohlbaum set out to answer the question of how the Internet affects access to and consumption of news. Are readers consuming more news than they did in the age of ink? From more or fewer sources? After surveying data from the UK and Germany, the researchers found:
- A new generation of news junkies is emerging: On average, all UK adults consulted an average of 2.7 news sources per week, while online readers visit almost twice as many - 5.2 news websites.
- Readers are expanding their horizons, consulting a wide array of sources: In both the UK and Germany, readers now spend only 5-20% of their news-time on their favorite newspaper. Instead, they consume news from, on average, eight other sources.
- Readers are encountering a broad range of views: Even where consuming user generated ‘less trustworthy’ sources, 47% say this is to encounter views different from their own.
- Established media retain significant influence: Television remains considered the most authoritative media source and big brands continue to earn greater trust, audience attention, and influence on consumer opinion than other sources.
A second study, The Internet and the creative industries: measuring growth within a changing sector ecology, examines current approaches to measuring the ‘creative sector’; and the impact of the internet on the role of independent artists and small businesses in the business of culture. Drawing on case studies from the UK, France and Sweden, the research finds that the Internet has increased the numbers of creative sector SMEs and 'sole traders.'
In the music industry of twenty years ago, for example, a single record label hired lawyers, accountants, cafeteria workers. Today, many of these roles are distributed among small businesses and independent players. A band might be discovered on YouTube, hire professionals on an hourly basis to handle contracts, self-publish and self-market.
Until now, most research has failed to take into account this structural shift toward ‘unorganized content producers,’ suggesting that they fail to capture a great deal of activity. See below.
What is needed, the researchers conclude, is a new way of measuring the culture industry. Specifically, this new measurement must identify and measure the contribution of SMEs and sole traders. Only when we have reliable statistics can we truly understand the Internet’s impact on the business of news and culture.
Rabu, 17 Juli 2013
Growing our Map Maker community in Europe
Exploration is at the heart of the summer season, and what better way to take part than sharing your knowledge on the places you love on Google Maps? Today, Google Map Maker is diving into summertime by welcoming mappers of Czech Republic, Hungary, Sweden, and Bosnia and Herzegovina to our ever-growing team of citizen cartographers in our quest to map the world.
With Google Map Maker, you can contribute your local knowledge to make a more useful and comprehensive map of the changing world around us. Begin in your neighborhood and try adding the building footprints for local shops and restaurants. Then, embrace your inner traveler and enrich the maps of national parks and historic landmarks. If you’ve got the itch for adventure, try adding campgrounds, beaches or your favorite hiking trails.
View Larger Map
Whether it’s a cycling route through Budapest or a cafe alongside Prague’s Vltava River, each improvement to the map will help locals and tourists alike as they navigate your neighborhood this summer. Once approved, your contributions will appear on Google Maps, Google Earth and Google Maps for Mobile.
To get started, join other mappers on the Google Map Maker community forum, explore the Help Centre for tips and tricks, or watch mapping in real-time with Map Maker Pulse. Now, from the Heart Shaped Land, through Central Europe, to Swedish Lapland, you can help Google Maps to embody the rich culture and spirit unique to your homeland - starting today!
With Google Map Maker, you can contribute your local knowledge to make a more useful and comprehensive map of the changing world around us. Begin in your neighborhood and try adding the building footprints for local shops and restaurants. Then, embrace your inner traveler and enrich the maps of national parks and historic landmarks. If you’ve got the itch for adventure, try adding campgrounds, beaches or your favorite hiking trails.
View Larger Map
Jajići, Bosnia and Herzegovina was a blank space on the map
before citizen cartographers put it on the map.
Whether it’s a cycling route through Budapest or a cafe alongside Prague’s Vltava River, each improvement to the map will help locals and tourists alike as they navigate your neighborhood this summer. Once approved, your contributions will appear on Google Maps, Google Earth and Google Maps for Mobile.
To get started, join other mappers on the Google Map Maker community forum, explore the Help Centre for tips and tricks, or watch mapping in real-time with Map Maker Pulse. Now, from the Heart Shaped Land, through Central Europe, to Swedish Lapland, you can help Google Maps to embody the rich culture and spirit unique to your homeland - starting today!
Selasa, 04 Juni 2013
Powering our Finnish data center with Swedish wind energy
What do a Swedish wind farm developer, a German insurance company and Google’s Finnish data center have in common? As of today, a lot. We’ve just inked agreements with O2 and Allianz to supply our Finnish data center with renewable energy for the next 10 years—our fourth long-term agreement to power our data centers with renewable energy worldwide, and our first in Europe.
Here’s how it works: O2, the wind farm developer, has obtained planning approval to build a new 72MW wind farm at Maevaara, in Övertorneå and Pajala municipality in northern Sweden, using highly efficient 3MW wind turbines. We’ve committed to buying the entire output of that wind farm for 10 years so that we can power our Finnish data center with renewable energy. That agreement has helped O2 to secure 100% financing for the construction of the wind farm from the investment arm of German insurance company Allianz, which will assume ownership when the wind farm becomes operational in early 2015.
This arrangement is possible thanks to Scandinavia’s integrated electricity market and grid system, Nord Pool. It enables us to buy the wind farm’s output in Sweden with Guarantee of Origin certification and consume an equivalent amount of power at our data center in Finland. We then “retire” the Guarantee of Origin certificates to show that we’ve actually used the energy.
As a carbon neutral company, our goal is to use as much renewable energy as possible—and by doing so, stimulate further production. The Maevaara wind farm not only allows us to make our already highly energy-efficient Finnish data center even more sustainable, it also meets our goal of adding new renewable energy generation capacity to the grid.
Of course, using renewable energy is good for the environment, but it also makes long term financial sense. That’s why, in addition to protecting ourselves against future increases in power prices through long-term purchasing for our operations, we also invest in new renewable energy projects that will deliver a return for our money. In recent years we’ve committed more than $1 billion to such projects in the U.S., Germany and, just last week, South Africa. We’ll continue to look for similar opportunities around the globe.
Here’s how it works: O2, the wind farm developer, has obtained planning approval to build a new 72MW wind farm at Maevaara, in Övertorneå and Pajala municipality in northern Sweden, using highly efficient 3MW wind turbines. We’ve committed to buying the entire output of that wind farm for 10 years so that we can power our Finnish data center with renewable energy. That agreement has helped O2 to secure 100% financing for the construction of the wind farm from the investment arm of German insurance company Allianz, which will assume ownership when the wind farm becomes operational in early 2015.
This arrangement is possible thanks to Scandinavia’s integrated electricity market and grid system, Nord Pool. It enables us to buy the wind farm’s output in Sweden with Guarantee of Origin certification and consume an equivalent amount of power at our data center in Finland. We then “retire” the Guarantee of Origin certificates to show that we’ve actually used the energy.
As a carbon neutral company, our goal is to use as much renewable energy as possible—and by doing so, stimulate further production. The Maevaara wind farm not only allows us to make our already highly energy-efficient Finnish data center even more sustainable, it also meets our goal of adding new renewable energy generation capacity to the grid.
Of course, using renewable energy is good for the environment, but it also makes long term financial sense. That’s why, in addition to protecting ourselves against future increases in power prices through long-term purchasing for our operations, we also invest in new renewable energy projects that will deliver a return for our money. In recent years we’ve committed more than $1 billion to such projects in the U.S., Germany and, just last week, South Africa. We’ll continue to look for similar opportunities around the globe.
Kamis, 14 Maret 2013
Debating public safety while preserving personal freedom
It’s a tricky balance. Governments need to be effective in fighting crime, and while theft, trafficking and terrorism have existed for centuries, the Internet has accelerated the speed and volume at which crime can be conducted. At the same time, the Internet has become a powerful force in promoting free speech and personal freedom. What is the right balance between public safety and personal freedom? How much access should police have to user emails and other information on the Net?
We’ve asked a number of experts to debate this theme of freedom and security on the Internet today at the Big Tent in Stockholm. Along with the Civil Rights Defenders, Europol,
Privacy International, and Transparency International, we’ll be hosting members of the intelligence and research communities, law enforcement and civil society. All will share their observations and thoughts about how governments and companies should prosecute crime and guarantee rights to free expression and privacy in the information age.
We’re especially pleased that Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt will be joining us for this conversation. Sweden has one of the world’s oldest traditions of freedom of speech, and its government is a leader in using Internet tools to support democracy and freedom.
Every government has a responsibility to keep its citizens safe. Without data and analysis, it’s hard to tell if officials have the right tools to effectively investigate and stop crime online. We hope that this discussion will present hard facts on issues such as expanding lawful access provisions, prioritizing funds to keep up with rapidly advancing technology, and greater government transparency so that citizens can hold officials accountable for how they exercise policing powers.
For a preview of Thursday’s conversation, check out this Google+ Hangout that I did yesterday with former Index on Censorship chairman John Kampfner.
We’ve asked a number of experts to debate this theme of freedom and security on the Internet today at the Big Tent in Stockholm. Along with the Civil Rights Defenders, Europol,
Privacy International, and Transparency International, we’ll be hosting members of the intelligence and research communities, law enforcement and civil society. All will share their observations and thoughts about how governments and companies should prosecute crime and guarantee rights to free expression and privacy in the information age.
We’re especially pleased that Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt will be joining us for this conversation. Sweden has one of the world’s oldest traditions of freedom of speech, and its government is a leader in using Internet tools to support democracy and freedom.
Every government has a responsibility to keep its citizens safe. Without data and analysis, it’s hard to tell if officials have the right tools to effectively investigate and stop crime online. We hope that this discussion will present hard facts on issues such as expanding lawful access provisions, prioritizing funds to keep up with rapidly advancing technology, and greater government transparency so that citizens can hold officials accountable for how they exercise policing powers.
For a preview of Thursday’s conversation, check out this Google+ Hangout that I did yesterday with former Index on Censorship chairman John Kampfner.
Rabu, 28 November 2012
The real Mountain View: on the piste with Street View
As the ski season approaches and you’re busy digging out your thermal underwear and snow boots, we hope to make your holiday preparations a little more enjoyable by adding some of the world’s favourite ski runs and resorts to Google Maps. Whether you’re looking to discover a piste you’ve never tried before, or just want to take in some of the breathtaking scenery to get in the mood for your trip, we hope you have fun exploring locations across Europe (including runs in Switzerland, Austria, Norway, Sweden, Italy and Spain), Canada (including runs at Blue Mountain, Lake Louise and Fernie) and the US (including runs in Utah and Michigan).
For example, take a look at Sölden, a popular ski resort in the Ötztal valley of Tyrol, Austria. It’s not just tourists who flock there every year, but fans of professional skiing - Sölden regularly hosts the giant slalom competition as part of the Alpine World Cup in late October.
View Larger Map
Or virtually visit one of the iconic resorts in Switzerland like St. Moritz or Zermatt.
View Larger Map
Whenever we launch new imagery, our users start to develop creative and inspiring uses for the images. For example, Skiline.cc has integrated our snowy pictures into their web app which lets skiers virtually recap their day on the slopes.
Street View travels further north
Continuing the wintery theme, we’re introducing our first ever imagery in Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago that lies about 400 miles north of mainland Europe - and the most northerly territory we’ve ever had on Street View. Svalbard was allegedly first discovered by Viking explorers in the 12th century, and now you can discover the beautiful tundras and harsh landscapes of the sparsely populated islands for yourself.
Svalbard is important today, hosting the Svalbard Satellite station, used by organisations like NASA and the ESA and the Global Seed Vault, a facility that provides spare samples of seeds found in gene banks all over the world.
View Larger Map
View Larger Map
The ice roads
Finally, we’re also delighted to introduce some brand new imagery of the ice roads in Estonia, fashioned from the frozen waters of the Baltic Sea. Although these roads are only open when the weather permits and the ice is thick enough, we were lucky enough to capture the 10km ice road from Rohuküla to Sviby and the 3km stretch from Haapsalu to Noarootsi, among others.
View Larger Map
View Larger Map
For example, take a look at Sölden, a popular ski resort in the Ötztal valley of Tyrol, Austria. It’s not just tourists who flock there every year, but fans of professional skiing - Sölden regularly hosts the giant slalom competition as part of the Alpine World Cup in late October.
View Larger Map
Or virtually visit one of the iconic resorts in Switzerland like St. Moritz or Zermatt.
View Larger Map
Whenever we launch new imagery, our users start to develop creative and inspiring uses for the images. For example, Skiline.cc has integrated our snowy pictures into their web app which lets skiers virtually recap their day on the slopes.
Street View travels further north
Continuing the wintery theme, we’re introducing our first ever imagery in Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago that lies about 400 miles north of mainland Europe - and the most northerly territory we’ve ever had on Street View. Svalbard was allegedly first discovered by Viking explorers in the 12th century, and now you can discover the beautiful tundras and harsh landscapes of the sparsely populated islands for yourself.
Svalbard is important today, hosting the Svalbard Satellite station, used by organisations like NASA and the ESA and the Global Seed Vault, a facility that provides spare samples of seeds found in gene banks all over the world.
View Larger Map
View Larger Map
The ice roads
Finally, we’re also delighted to introduce some brand new imagery of the ice roads in Estonia, fashioned from the frozen waters of the Baltic Sea. Although these roads are only open when the weather permits and the ice is thick enough, we were lucky enough to capture the 10km ice road from Rohuküla to Sviby and the 3km stretch from Haapsalu to Noarootsi, among others.
View Larger Map
View Larger Map
Kamis, 04 Oktober 2012
Sweden's Gazelles go digital
“Sweden needs constant economic growth, and Swedish businesses and entrepreneurs need inspirational role models”. This is how Dagens Industri, Sweden’s biggest business daily newspaper, explains its annual Gazelle Award programme. The Gazelle, which turns 13 this year, is a high profile and prestigious initiative honouring local companies that are growing the fastest and creating the most new jobs.
This year, we’ve partnered with Dagens Industri to take the Gazelle award digital. Companies that use the Internet in an inspiring way, boosting growth or empowering other businesses, now also have a chance for recognition thanks to the new “Digital Gazelle” prize. Regional winners will be announced during the nationwide tour currently underway, with the overall winner being crowned on stage at the 2012 Gazella Gala on December 3rd in Stockholm.
The concept of a business ‘Gazelle’ was first coined by the American researcher David Birch in the 1980s. His work showed it is the small, fastest growing businesses - the “gazelles” - that create most new jobs and growth, unlike the “elephants” who often have to streamline their businesses and reduce employment.
Annually less than 0.5 percent of all Swedish companies are appointed as Gazelles. To achieve this companies must meet tough criteria, including annual turnover exceeding 10 million SEK, and a 3 year track record of strong sales growth, with turnover more than doubling in the past year. It’s no exaggeration to say all Swedish businesses strive to have a Gazelle diploma to hang on their wall.
According to BCG, the Internet economy already accounts for more than 6.6% of Sweden’s GDP and the web has proven a strong catalyst for business growth. We’re delighted to sponsor this new award to celebrate Sweden’s online successes.
The concept of a business ‘Gazelle’ was first coined by the American researcher David Birch in the 1980s. His work showed it is the small, fastest growing businesses - the “gazelles” - that create most new jobs and growth, unlike the “elephants” who often have to streamline their businesses and reduce employment.
Annually less than 0.5 percent of all Swedish companies are appointed as Gazelles. To achieve this companies must meet tough criteria, including annual turnover exceeding 10 million SEK, and a 3 year track record of strong sales growth, with turnover more than doubling in the past year. It’s no exaggeration to say all Swedish businesses strive to have a Gazelle diploma to hang on their wall.
According to BCG, the Internet economy already accounts for more than 6.6% of Sweden’s GDP and the web has proven a strong catalyst for business growth. We’re delighted to sponsor this new award to celebrate Sweden’s online successes.
Rabu, 29 Agustus 2012
Getting social in the Swedish countryside
Have you heard of a summer camp for the social web? Neither had we. So when Google was invited to join the Sweden Social Web Camp 2012, we couldn’t resist.
Sweden Social Web Camp started out as an online community where people with different backgrounds and experiences shared a passion for the web. After a couple of years they decided to meet face-to-face and ironically chose the most offline spot imaginable - the small island of Tjaro in the archipelago of southern Sweden.
This year's event brings together more than 500 Internet evangelists, opinion leaders, social media frontrunners, bloggers, journalists, entrepreneurs and general web lovers. It's all about sharing ideas and initiating discussions on topics ranging from the challenges of the web and the future media landscape to technical developments and hands-on engineering challenges. There are no big keynote speeches or stages. Instead, anyone can invite participants to a presentation, discussion, or creative workshop on any topic related to the web. The sessions take place from early morning by the breakfast in the barn until late night by the campfire.
Besides listening and learning from some great talks and discussions, we took the opportunity to present the latest features of Google+ and share some of our thoughts on the social web. We also brought the event to all of the people who were not lucky enough to be on site by broadcasting some of the sessions live via Hangouts On Air on the Sweden Social Web Camp website and Google+ Page. Thanks to everyone who joined in!
We hope Social Web Camps will spread across Europe - bringing the passion of online communities together in the real world!
Sweden Social Web Camp started out as an online community where people with different backgrounds and experiences shared a passion for the web. After a couple of years they decided to meet face-to-face and ironically chose the most offline spot imaginable - the small island of Tjaro in the archipelago of southern Sweden.
This year's event brings together more than 500 Internet evangelists, opinion leaders, social media frontrunners, bloggers, journalists, entrepreneurs and general web lovers. It's all about sharing ideas and initiating discussions on topics ranging from the challenges of the web and the future media landscape to technical developments and hands-on engineering challenges. There are no big keynote speeches or stages. Instead, anyone can invite participants to a presentation, discussion, or creative workshop on any topic related to the web. The sessions take place from early morning by the breakfast in the barn until late night by the campfire.
Besides listening and learning from some great talks and discussions, we took the opportunity to present the latest features of Google+ and share some of our thoughts on the social web. We also brought the event to all of the people who were not lucky enough to be on site by broadcasting some of the sessions live via Hangouts On Air on the Sweden Social Web Camp website and Google+ Page. Thanks to everyone who joined in!
We hope Social Web Camps will spread across Europe - bringing the passion of online communities together in the real world!
Kamis, 26 April 2012
Celebrating Exceptional Young Minds
Its time to celebrate the ten winners of our ‘Zeitgeist Young Minds’ online competition.
All are aged between 18 and 24 and have done something exceptional through science, the arts, education and innovation. They will attend Google’s annual Zeitgeist event near London on May 21 and 22, alongside some of today's greatest minds and innovators. While in London, they will participate in masterclasses and have their voices heard.
A panel of prestigious judges chose the winners. It included UK Digital Champion Martha Lane Fox, social entrepreneur and hip-hop artist Akala, award winning inventor Emily Cummins, software developer and founder of metaLayer.com Jonathan Gosier, and Channel 4 news presenter and correspondent Jon Snow.
The winners are:
All are aged between 18 and 24 and have done something exceptional through science, the arts, education and innovation. They will attend Google’s annual Zeitgeist event near London on May 21 and 22, alongside some of today's greatest minds and innovators. While in London, they will participate in masterclasses and have their voices heard.
A panel of prestigious judges chose the winners. It included UK Digital Champion Martha Lane Fox, social entrepreneur and hip-hop artist Akala, award winning inventor Emily Cummins, software developer and founder of metaLayer.com Jonathan Gosier, and Channel 4 news presenter and correspondent Jon Snow.
The winners are:
- Ada Umeofia, 19 from Nigeria: WeBuilt: Africa is a design-centered social enterprise that redesigns and constructs market stalls for poverty-stricken Africans by recycling found building materials in slums. View the entr
- Alex Leboucher, 21 from France: The Schoolbag (NGO) connects young people to education and a sustainable future by enabling children to pursue an education by providing eco-friendly school supplies. View the entry
- Elliott Verreault, 23 from Sweden: It'sOneHumanity: The Humanitarian Social Network is inspiring a new humanitarian culture by leveraging the stories of humanitarian workers with the help of social media. View the entry
- James Boon, 23 from the UK: Socially responsible enterprise ElephantBranded.com, sends a school bag to a child in Asia and Africa for each product sold on the website. View the entry
- Joel Mwale, 19 from Kenya: Skydrop Enterprise Inc has brought safe drinking water to a community of 5,000 and has become a profitable enterprise from selling bottled water across Kenya and Uganda. View the entry
- Jordan Ridge, 23 from South Africa: Made by Mosaic is a job creation project fro women in South Africa addressing the challenges of economic development in the townships. View the entry
- Maaike Veenkamp, 23 from the UK: Off The Bench is a project with a core aim to empower young people through positive activities. View the entry
- Sibusiso Tshabalala, 20 from South Africa: Developed reading clubs and a library renovation programme in South Africa to encourage critical thinking and thoughtful debate within local high schools. View the entry
- Simeon Oriko, 23 from Kenya: The Kuyu Project trains school children on how to use social media for social change and promotes digital literacy. View the entry
- Simon Straetker, 19 from Germany: An independent filmmaker, promoting conservational and social projects around the world making videos that engage young people with their natural environments. View the entry
Kamis, 19 April 2012
Checking in with the Global Network Initiative
Cross-posted with the Google Public Policy Blog
No matter who or what you are, opening up to outside scrutiny isn’t an easy or comfortable process. But that's what we agreed to do a few years ago when we helped found the Global Network Initiative (GNI), an amalgam of companies, human rights activists, socially responsible investors and academics formed in response to actions by governments that endanger free expression on the global Internet.
The objectives of GNI are both simple and incredibly complex: promote and support free expression and privacy online; subscribe to principles and follow guidelines supported by measures of transparency and accountability; and educate people and engage policymakers around the world in an effort to create a more open and free Internet.
In starting GNI, the founding companies — Google, Microsoft and Yahoo — agreed to bring in outside assessors to review how we were doing against GNI principles. Our agreement to conduct these assessments is an important part of the organization's credibility.
Now these first assessments are finished and the results have been released as part of GNI's annual report released yesterday at the Stockholm Internet Forum. After reviewing them, the non-company members of GNI have told us that while we're by no means perfect, the assessments are credible and rigorous and demonstrate that companies are making progress — a concrete step in our efforts to build trust not only with our GNI partners but with all our users. The GNI presented its findings at a workshop at the Sweden free expression summit, which brought together more than 350 diplomats, activists, academics, and private sector actors from around the world.
The activities of Google to promote free expression and privacy around the world extend well beyond GNI. However, being a part of this group is a compelling opportunity, since it brings together diverse stakeholders and provides a unique forum to address the risks to a free and open internet. Along with the GNI, we welcome other companies and groups to join this effort.
No matter who or what you are, opening up to outside scrutiny isn’t an easy or comfortable process. But that's what we agreed to do a few years ago when we helped found the Global Network Initiative (GNI), an amalgam of companies, human rights activists, socially responsible investors and academics formed in response to actions by governments that endanger free expression on the global Internet.
The objectives of GNI are both simple and incredibly complex: promote and support free expression and privacy online; subscribe to principles and follow guidelines supported by measures of transparency and accountability; and educate people and engage policymakers around the world in an effort to create a more open and free Internet.
In starting GNI, the founding companies — Google, Microsoft and Yahoo — agreed to bring in outside assessors to review how we were doing against GNI principles. Our agreement to conduct these assessments is an important part of the organization's credibility.
Now these first assessments are finished and the results have been released as part of GNI's annual report released yesterday at the Stockholm Internet Forum. After reviewing them, the non-company members of GNI have told us that while we're by no means perfect, the assessments are credible and rigorous and demonstrate that companies are making progress — a concrete step in our efforts to build trust not only with our GNI partners but with all our users. The GNI presented its findings at a workshop at the Sweden free expression summit, which brought together more than 350 diplomats, activists, academics, and private sector actors from around the world.
The activities of Google to promote free expression and privacy around the world extend well beyond GNI. However, being a part of this group is a compelling opportunity, since it brings together diverse stakeholders and provides a unique forum to address the risks to a free and open internet. Along with the GNI, we welcome other companies and groups to join this effort.
Jumat, 09 Maret 2012
Freedom of Expression at the United Nations
Sessions at the United Nations Human Rights Council -- the UN body in Geneva that holds countries to account for their international obligations -- are almost always predictable affairs. Lots of diplomats talking about the same problems year after year. But the UN last week devoted a special session for the first time to free expression on the Internet, and we at Google were pleased to be one of the first private corporations invited to participate in such an official UN event.
The moment signaled how the international community is waking up to the importance of Internet freedom. The UN council’s auditorium was packed with almost 300 people. More than 50 ambassadors and delegates raised their hands to speak. Officials said they had rarely seen so many requests. Obviously, the stakes are high.
Some delegations outlined the limits on free expression and openness that many countries would like to impose. Some even tried to quash the session entirely through procedural means. The critics emphasized the dangers of the Net to promote terrorism, violence, or religious hatred, proposing that governments should be able to limit freedom by deciding how much opposition "legitimate authorities" should face from their citizens.
But many others - the majority, in fact - spoke up in favor of an open Internet where information flows freely. When Gutenberg invented the printing press, many feared the evils in books, argued Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt, whose country was the primary sponsor of the session. The same rules that govern freedom of expression on paper or the television airwaves should apply online, he insisted.
For Google, this UN session represented an opportunity to encourage governments to protect free expression online by disclosing when and why they make requests to companies to remove content or turn over information about users. We publish our own Transparency Report. This way, government/citizens can evaluate whether or not laws that may be well intentioned are enhancing/eroding freedoms. But our Report represents at best only a partial view. It would be much better if governments would do this themselves for their entire countries.
This session offered a critical look at the issues facing countries around the world as we debate the future of protecting and promoting the free flow of information online. The stakes are huge and all those who care about keeping the Internet open and free must come together to press the cause.
The moment signaled how the international community is waking up to the importance of Internet freedom. The UN council’s auditorium was packed with almost 300 people. More than 50 ambassadors and delegates raised their hands to speak. Officials said they had rarely seen so many requests. Obviously, the stakes are high.
Some delegations outlined the limits on free expression and openness that many countries would like to impose. Some even tried to quash the session entirely through procedural means. The critics emphasized the dangers of the Net to promote terrorism, violence, or religious hatred, proposing that governments should be able to limit freedom by deciding how much opposition "legitimate authorities" should face from their citizens.
But many others - the majority, in fact - spoke up in favor of an open Internet where information flows freely. When Gutenberg invented the printing press, many feared the evils in books, argued Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt, whose country was the primary sponsor of the session. The same rules that govern freedom of expression on paper or the television airwaves should apply online, he insisted.
For Google, this UN session represented an opportunity to encourage governments to protect free expression online by disclosing when and why they make requests to companies to remove content or turn over information about users. We publish our own Transparency Report. This way, government/citizens can evaluate whether or not laws that may be well intentioned are enhancing/eroding freedoms. But our Report represents at best only a partial view. It would be much better if governments would do this themselves for their entire countries.
This session offered a critical look at the issues facing countries around the world as we debate the future of protecting and promoting the free flow of information online. The stakes are huge and all those who care about keeping the Internet open and free must come together to press the cause.
Kamis, 13 Oktober 2011
Sizing and seizing the Internet economy
Strange as it might sound, given all the buzz about the digital economy, few concrete numbers exist measuring the Internet’s economic impact. The scarcity of hard data has allowed many to portray the Internet (at worst) as a negative force, destroying jobs, or (at best) as marginal to a country’s economic success.
In the past year Google has worked with a variety of partners to begin filling in this data gap. The Boston Consulting Group researched a series of country-specific reports. The first found that the digital economy accounts for more than seven percent of GDP in the UK. BCG, McKinsey, and Deloitte followed up by analyzing the impact of the Internet on local economies for instance in France, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Israel, Hong Kong and Australia.
BCG partners David Dean and Paul Zwillenberg recently were in Brussels to present a new study - not commissioned by Google - called Turning Local: From Madrid to Moscow, the Internet is Going Native. It builds on the previous country reports, and adds additional BCG research, to describes the Internet's impact on 50 economies around the globe. BCG drew up an e-Intensity IndexTM which measures countries' Internet infrastructure, the amount of online expenditure and how enthusiastically businesses, consumers and governments engage with new technologies. By 2015, BCG projects, the Internet will contribute 7.3 percent of Danish GDP. Other countries will experience even bigger jumps during the next years. By 2015, the Internet will account for four percent of Spanish GDP, almost double 2009’s figure of 2.2 percent.
If anything, these GDP measures may underestimate the Internet’s true impact—something BCG, McKinsey and Deloitte all acknowledge. For example, in many countries between five and 10 percent of retail sales are researched online before the consumer makes an informed purchase in a physical store, and the cost savings from shopping on the web can be substantial, amounting to almost £1,000 per household in the UK. Similarly, consumers benefit from using free, advertising supported services like email that they would otherwise have to pay to enjoy. McKinsey and IAB Europe found consumers enjoy €100 billion in consumer surplus—almost three times the revenue online advertising companies receive—none of which traditional GDP measures captures.
Earlier this year, McKinsey specifically researched the externalities around Internet search, with collaboration and support from Google. Their independent report, Impact of Internet Technologies: Search, states that search technologies—including but not limited to Google—create over $780 billion of value for the global economy, of which only four percent accrues to the search engines themselves.
Google and other members of the Business and Industry Advisory Committee BIAC last month participated in an expert roundtable at the OECD exploring current and future methods for measuring the impact of the Internet on the global economy. The roundtable will be followed by a report sponsored by Google that will measure the impact of the Internet on OECD member countries.
For BCG, their studies represent only a first step. The goal is to help jumpstart a global conversation on the economic value of the Internet. In Brussels, Dean and Zwillenberg were clear in presentations made to European think tank Bruegel (of which Google is a member) that SME’s are one of the biggest groups of beneficiaries in Europe. Their research, which included a survey of over 9,000 companies, concludes that businesses using the web intensively grow significantly faster than businesses that don't. That’s a theme that we, and BCG, will be revisiting in coming weeks and months.
Posted by Patricia Wruuck, Policy Analyst and Betsy Masiello, Policy Manager
In the past year Google has worked with a variety of partners to begin filling in this data gap. The Boston Consulting Group researched a series of country-specific reports. The first found that the digital economy accounts for more than seven percent of GDP in the UK. BCG, McKinsey, and Deloitte followed up by analyzing the impact of the Internet on local economies for instance in France, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Israel, Hong Kong and Australia.
BCG partners David Dean and Paul Zwillenberg recently were in Brussels to present a new study - not commissioned by Google - called Turning Local: From Madrid to Moscow, the Internet is Going Native. It builds on the previous country reports, and adds additional BCG research, to describes the Internet's impact on 50 economies around the globe. BCG drew up an e-Intensity IndexTM which measures countries' Internet infrastructure, the amount of online expenditure and how enthusiastically businesses, consumers and governments engage with new technologies. By 2015, BCG projects, the Internet will contribute 7.3 percent of Danish GDP. Other countries will experience even bigger jumps during the next years. By 2015, the Internet will account for four percent of Spanish GDP, almost double 2009’s figure of 2.2 percent.
If anything, these GDP measures may underestimate the Internet’s true impact—something BCG, McKinsey and Deloitte all acknowledge. For example, in many countries between five and 10 percent of retail sales are researched online before the consumer makes an informed purchase in a physical store, and the cost savings from shopping on the web can be substantial, amounting to almost £1,000 per household in the UK. Similarly, consumers benefit from using free, advertising supported services like email that they would otherwise have to pay to enjoy. McKinsey and IAB Europe found consumers enjoy €100 billion in consumer surplus—almost three times the revenue online advertising companies receive—none of which traditional GDP measures captures.
Earlier this year, McKinsey specifically researched the externalities around Internet search, with collaboration and support from Google. Their independent report, Impact of Internet Technologies: Search, states that search technologies—including but not limited to Google—create over $780 billion of value for the global economy, of which only four percent accrues to the search engines themselves.
Google and other members of the Business and Industry Advisory Committee BIAC last month participated in an expert roundtable at the OECD exploring current and future methods for measuring the impact of the Internet on the global economy. The roundtable will be followed by a report sponsored by Google that will measure the impact of the Internet on OECD member countries.
For BCG, their studies represent only a first step. The goal is to help jumpstart a global conversation on the economic value of the Internet. In Brussels, Dean and Zwillenberg were clear in presentations made to European think tank Bruegel (of which Google is a member) that SME’s are one of the biggest groups of beneficiaries in Europe. Their research, which included a survey of over 9,000 companies, concludes that businesses using the web intensively grow significantly faster than businesses that don't. That’s a theme that we, and BCG, will be revisiting in coming weeks and months.
Posted by Patricia Wruuck, Policy Analyst and Betsy Masiello, Policy Manager
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