Last week at SXSW Interactive in Austin, I had the honor not only of listening to and meeting with many of today’s top technology leaders and innovators, I also had the chance to speak on two panels focused on technology issues that are very important to me and to Open-Xchange.
First, I was invited to be a part of the official SXSW session, “Net Infrastructure: The Economy’s Hidden Backbone.” The panel, moderated by i2Coalition’s Hilary Van Der Meulen, and also featuring U.S. Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Golden Frog President Sunday Yokubaitis, discussed the current gap between government policy and the pace of innovation in the Internet. We discussed ways that policymakers can do more to protect Web consumers and keep the Internet landscape competitive, including by advocating for privacy, security and the open Internet.
Next, I hosted a roundtable panel – “Rebels without a Clause” – which took place at the German Haus, a venue for showcasing German innovation, startups, artists, music and more each year at SXSW. We used this panel as a way to unveil our Consumer Openness Index (COI), a new report on users’ online behaviors and attitudes to the services they use. A few of the callout results included:
More than 72% of online users agree that terms and conditions are too complicatedMore than half believe it is impossible to enjoy the Internet without sacrificing privacy50% said they’d stop using websites that shared their personal data if they knew about it72% said they’d be open to using encryption if it were easier to use and understand
Our commentators included several of today’s leading voices in Internet privacy and security – Sascha Meinrath, Director of X-Lab; Michele Neylon, CEO of Blacknight Solutions; Dr. Matt McGlone, Associate Professor of Communication Studies at The University of Texas; and moderator Mike Farrell, editor of Passcode – all of whom offered their unique insights on the COI findings.
I was pleased that both panels drew an audience of highly engaged industry players and consumers alike, who brought compelling questions and insights, all passionate about the future of the Internet. At our German Haus event, for example, one concerned citizen asked how we can possibly create more open and trusted services, given the current state of surveillance and data monopolies. In response, nearly all of our panelists agreed that policymakers and industry players must work together to create economic incentives for open and transparent services – which include more understandable Terms of Service, and allow you to see where your data is and how it’s being used.
When Edward Snowden spoke virtually at last year’s SXSW, there was a tone of impending doom, and we were all still at unease about the revelations of massive surveillance and control over data, both by government agencies and Internet companies. This year, I sensed more hope – there were many sessions and panels focused on finding solutions to these problems, not just fear-mongering. I was glad to be a part of that and look forward to an even more productive SXSW in 2016!
Please take time to read our full report on the Consumer Openness Index, downloadable here.