DIALOGUE: Governance, Regulation, and Platform Accountability

Social media platforms aren’t just neutral spaces for the spread of disinformation; disinformers actively exploit platform vulnerabilities, and platforms even profit off of users engaging with disinformation.

In its second South-to-South dialogue, the Sigla Research Center is convening a discussion on how platforms should play their part in addressing disinformation, and the prospects of actually holding them accountable when they don’t.

This panel will focus on governing platforms in pursuit of information integrity and internet safety, balancing this governance with digital rights, and real examples of holding Big Tech accountable from the Global South.

Victoire Rio is the founder and executive director of WHAT TO FIX, a tech policy and accountability nonprofit, and a leading expert on social media monetization and its impact on information integrity. Prior to founding WHAT TO FIX to address systemic risks associated with social media, Victoire spent 8 years leading tech accountability effortsin Myanmar, where she co-founded and led the Myanmar Tech Accountability Network.

Nilay Shah is a legal counsel at Software Freedom Law Center, India (SFLC.in) and, in this capacity, works on issues pertaining to digital rights. He also works on rights-based litigation before various Indian courts, as well as on issues relating to data protection, and leads projects on platform regulation and software patents.

Santosh Sigdel is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Digital Rights Nepal. He is a lawyer and digital policy expert working at the intersection of digital governance, digital public infrastructure (DPI), human rights, and emerging technologies. His work focuses on digital policy and regulatory reform, internet governance, data governance, privacy and data protection, cybersecurity, and AI governance. He works to promote rights-based, inclusive, secure, and accountable digital transformation through policy research, multi-stakeholder engagement, institutional strengthening, and strategic advocacy.