This course examines social media companies as geopolitical actors operating in a fragmented global governance landscape. In exploring how platforms respond to and shape state power, we will study cases of technology companies balancing competing interests including human rights, safety, profitability, legal compliance, and the security of personnel and assets, as they interact with state and non-state actors.
Key topics include content moderation as a form of private governance; government demands for content removal and data access; global variation and evolution of speech norms and regulations; misinformation and elections; and emerging challenges posed by AI, including AI generated content, chatbots, and the use of AI in content moderation and product deployment. The course also examines high-stakes scenarios in which platform decisions have direct security implications, including risks to employees and operations. The course is designed for policymakers and others seeking to better understand and navigate the relationship between technology platforms and state power.