Jonathan A Obar
Datos Biográficos
| ID | 2744776 |
|---|---|
| NOMBRE | Jonathan A Obar |
| NOMBRES | Jonathan A |
| APELLIDO | Obar |
| FIRMA | OBAR J A |
| AFILIACIONES | York University |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-8984-751X |
| VERIFICADO | Sí |
| TOTAL DE OBRAS | 18 |
| TOTAL DE CITAS | 102 |
| TOTAL COMO AUTOR | 17 |
| TOTAL COMO EDITOR | 1 |
| PRIMER AÑO DE PUBLICACIÓN | 2009 |
| AÑO MÁS RECIENTE DE PUBLICACIÓN | 2025 |
| ÍNDICE H | 5 |
Aligned with the Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights? An artificial intelligence transparency evaluation of company privacy notices and explanations
Crafting an Intersectional Response to Bill C-27 for the Standing Committee on Industry and Technology
Background: In the fall of 2023, a group of scholars prepared a brief to respond intersectionally to Bill C-27 after its second reading and study by the Standing Committee on Industry and Technology. Updates to Canada’s private sector privacy law and regulation of artificial intelligence were important elements proposed in Bill C-27. Analysis: This article reflects upon five significant issues related to our brief and intersectionality. Conclusio…
Open Communication about Network Neutrality? Assessing the Internet Traffic Management Transparency of Canadian Internet Carriers
Background: Engaging users in the network neutrality debate requires that internet service providers (internet carriers) communicate information about the management of network traffic. Analysis: This pilot study of 42 carriers assesses transparency about internet traffic management practices (ITMPs), awarding up to ten stars via ten criteria. Policy materials on corporate websites suggest carriers demonstrate poor ITMP transparency, averaging 0.…
Strategies for Media Reform
Media reform plays an increasingly important role in the struggle for social justice. As battles are fought over the future of investigative journalism, media ownership, spectrum management, speech rights, broadband access, network neutrality, the surveillance apparatus, and digital literacy, what effective strategies can be used in the pursuit of effective media reform?Prepared by thirty-three scholars and activists from more than twenty-five co…
Sunlight alone is not a disinfectant
In our attempts to achieve privacy and reputation deliverables, advocating for service providers and other data managers to open Big Data black boxes and be more transparent about consent processes, algorithmic details, and data practice is easy. Moving from this call to meaningful forms of transparency, where the Big Data details are available, useful, and manageable is more difficult. Most challenging is moving from that difficult task of meani…
Searching for Data Privacy Self-Management
The problematic presumption that users can control the vast consent and data-management responsibilities associated with big data is referred to as the fallacy of data privacy self-management. Though untenable, this presumption remains fundamental to Canadian privacy law, exemplified in the individual access principle of the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act governing commercial data management. This article describes t…
The biggest lie on the Internet
This paper addresses 'the biggest lie on the internet' with an empirical investigation of privacy policy (PP) and terms of service (TOS) policy reading behavior. An experimental survey (N = 543) assessed the extent to which individuals ignored PP and TOS when joining a fictitious social networking service (SNS), NameDrop. Results reveal 74% skipped PP, selecting the 'quick join' clickwrap. Average adult reading speed (250-280 words per minute), s…
The Clickwrap
The clickwrap is a digital prompt that facilitates consent processes by affording users the opportunity to quickly accept or reject digital media policies. A qualitative survey analysis was conducted ( N = 513), assessing user interactions with the consent materials of a fictitious social media service, NameDrop. Findings suggest that clickwraps serve a political economic function by facilitating the circumvention of consent materials. Herman and…
Keeping Internet Users in the Know or in the Dark
In the wake of Snowden's revelations about National Security Agency (NSA) surveillance, demands that Internet carriers be more forthcoming about their handling of personal information have intensified. Responding to this concern, this report evaluates the data privacy transparency of forty-three Internet carriers serving the Canadian public. Carriers are awarded up to ten stars based on the public availability of information satisfying ten transp…
The Biggest Lie on the Internet
This paper addresses 'the biggest lie on the internet' with an empirical investigation of privacy policy (PP) and terms of service (TOS) policy reading behavior. An experimental survey (N=543) assessed the extent to which individuals ignored PP and TOS when joining a fictitious social networking service, NameDrop. Results reveal 74% skipped PP, selecting the 'quick join' clickwrap. Average adult reading speed (250-280 words per minute), suggests …
Social media definition and the governance challenge
Big Data and The Phantom Public
In 1927, Walter Lippmann published The Phantom Public, denouncing the 'mystical fallacy of democracy.' Decrying romantic democratic models that privilege self-governance, he writes: "I have not happened to meet anybody, from a President of the United States to a professor of political science, who came anywhere near to embodying the accepted ideal of the sovereign and omnicompetent citizen." Almost 90 years later, Lippmann's pragmatism is as rele…
Canadian Advocacy 2.0
One hundred and fifty-seven representatives from 63 advocacy organizations operating in Canada were surveyed to evaluate the extent to which these groups are adopting social media, and perceive that these technologies offer affordances that contribute to the advancement of activism objectives. Quantitative results of social media adoption reveal that groups are engaging with a limited selection of social media technologies (mainly Facebook and Tw…
Reconciling Political and Economic Goals in the Net Neutrality Debate
The net neutrality debate is one of several sites of struggles to adapt and redefine rights and obligations of stakeholders in the Internet-centric communications system. Its outcomes will shape the future of the Internet and influence the level and distribution of its benefits. We identify key values that drive the net neutrality discussion and examine the governance mechanisms proposed to achieve these objectives. We find that there is no singl…
The Emerging Mobile Internet Underclass
This article provides a critical comparative analysis of mobile versus personal computer (PC)-based forms of Internet access. Drawing from an interdisciplinary body of literature, it illustrates a wide range of ways in which mobile Internet access offers lower levels of functionality and content availability; operates on less open and flexible platforms; and contributes to diminished levels of user engagement, content creation, and information se…
Advocacy 2.0
Can social media promote civic engagement and collective action? Advocacy organizations think so. Obar, Zube, and Lampe surveyed 169 individuals from 53 advocacy groups of diverse interests and sizes and identified a revealing trend. All groups admitted that they use social media technologies to communicate with citizens almost every day. Respondents also believe that social media enable them to accomplish their advocacy and organizational goals …
Inclusion or Illusion? An Analysis of the FCC's Public Hearings on Media Ownership 2006–2007
An assessment of the extent of public involvement in the FCC's media ownership hearings in 2006–07 was conducted through an analysis of the hearings' structure, the 732 public comments made in them, and the FCC's ensuing Report & Order (R&O). In light of the rising call for pluralism, direct democracy and public involvement in policy deliberations, the results reveal that the FCC consistently hindered public participation in the hearing process i…
Tell It Not in Harrisburg, Publish It Not in the Streets of Tampa
A framing analysis was performed on 22 local news reports identified in 90 newscasts carried by television stations covering the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) public hearings on media ownership held in Harrisburg, PA and Tampa, FL in 2007. It revealed two frames: one portraying the hearings as “unimportant” and another suggesting that “media consolidation is not a problem.” Taking into account that the stations are owned by non-local …
The biggest lie on the Internet
This paper addresses 'the biggest lie on the internet' with an empirical investigation of privacy policy (PP) and terms of service (TOS) policy reading behavior. An experimental survey (N = 543) assessed the extent to which individuals ignored PP and TOS when joining a fictitious social networking service (SNS), NameDrop. Results reveal 74% skipped PP, selecting the 'quick join' clickwrap. Average adult reading speed (250-280 words per minute), s…
Advocacy 2.0
Can social media promote civic engagement and collective action? Advocacy organizations think so. Obar, Zube, and Lampe surveyed 169 individuals from 53 advocacy groups of diverse interests and sizes and identified a revealing trend. All groups admitted that they use social media technologies to communicate with citizens almost every day. Respondents also believe that social media enable them to accomplish their advocacy and organizational goals …
The Emerging Mobile Internet Underclass
This article provides a critical comparative analysis of mobile versus personal computer (PC)-based forms of Internet access. Drawing from an interdisciplinary body of literature, it illustrates a wide range of ways in which mobile Internet access offers lower levels of functionality and content availability; operates on less open and flexible platforms; and contributes to diminished levels of user engagement, content creation, and information se…
Big Data and The Phantom Public
In 1927, Walter Lippmann published The Phantom Public, denouncing the 'mystical fallacy of democracy.' Decrying romantic democratic models that privilege self-governance, he writes: "I have not happened to meet anybody, from a President of the United States to a professor of political science, who came anywhere near to embodying the accepted ideal of the sovereign and omnicompetent citizen." Almost 90 years later, Lippmann's pragmatism is as rele…
Inclusion or Illusion? An Analysis of the FCC's Public Hearings on Media Ownership 2006–2007
An assessment of the extent of public involvement in the FCC's media ownership hearings in 2006–07 was conducted through an analysis of the hearings' structure, the 732 public comments made in them, and the FCC's ensuing Report & Order (R&O). In light of the rising call for pluralism, direct democracy and public involvement in policy deliberations, the results reveal that the FCC consistently hindered public participation in the hearing process i…
Sunlight alone is not a disinfectant
In our attempts to achieve privacy and reputation deliverables, advocating for service providers and other data managers to open Big Data black boxes and be more transparent about consent processes, algorithmic details, and data practice is easy. Moving from this call to meaningful forms of transparency, where the Big Data details are available, useful, and manageable is more difficult. Most challenging is moving from that difficult task of meani…
The Biggest Lie on the Internet
This paper addresses 'the biggest lie on the internet' with an empirical investigation of privacy policy (PP) and terms of service (TOS) policy reading behavior. An experimental survey (N=543) assessed the extent to which individuals ignored PP and TOS when joining a fictitious social networking service, NameDrop. Results reveal 74% skipped PP, selecting the 'quick join' clickwrap. Average adult reading speed (250-280 words per minute), suggests …
The Clickwrap
The clickwrap is a digital prompt that facilitates consent processes by affording users the opportunity to quickly accept or reject digital media policies. A qualitative survey analysis was conducted ( N = 513), assessing user interactions with the consent materials of a fictitious social media service, NameDrop. Findings suggest that clickwraps serve a political economic function by facilitating the circumvention of consent materials. Herman and…
Keeping Internet Users in the Know or in the Dark
In the wake of Snowden's revelations about National Security Agency (NSA) surveillance, demands that Internet carriers be more forthcoming about their handling of personal information have intensified. Responding to this concern, this report evaluates the data privacy transparency of forty-three Internet carriers serving the Canadian public. Carriers are awarded up to ten stars based on the public availability of information satisfying ten transp…
Reconciling Political and Economic Goals in the Net Neutrality Debate
The net neutrality debate is one of several sites of struggles to adapt and redefine rights and obligations of stakeholders in the Internet-centric communications system. Its outcomes will shape the future of the Internet and influence the level and distribution of its benefits. We identify key values that drive the net neutrality discussion and examine the governance mechanisms proposed to achieve these objectives. We find that there is no singl…
Tell It Not in Harrisburg, Publish It Not in the Streets of Tampa
A framing analysis was performed on 22 local news reports identified in 90 newscasts carried by television stations covering the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) public hearings on media ownership held in Harrisburg, PA and Tampa, FL in 2007. It revealed two frames: one portraying the hearings as “unimportant” and another suggesting that “media consolidation is not a problem.” Taking into account that the stations are owned by non-local …
Tell It Not in Harrisburg, Publish It Not in the Streets of Tampa
A framing analysis was performed on 22 local news reports identified in 90 newscasts carried by television stations covering the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) public hearings on media ownership held in Harrisburg, PA and Tampa, FL in 2007. It revealed two frames: one portraying the hearings as “unimportant” and another suggesting that “media consolidation is not a problem.” Taking into account that the stations are owned by non-local …
Inclusion or Illusion? An Analysis of the FCC's Public Hearings on Media Ownership 2006–2007
An assessment of the extent of public involvement in the FCC's media ownership hearings in 2006–07 was conducted through an analysis of the hearings' structure, the 732 public comments made in them, and the FCC's ensuing Report & Order (R&O). In light of the rising call for pluralism, direct democracy and public involvement in policy deliberations, the results reveal that the FCC consistently hindered public participation in the hearing process i…
Advocacy 2.0
Can social media promote civic engagement and collective action? Advocacy organizations think so. Obar, Zube, and Lampe surveyed 169 individuals from 53 advocacy groups of diverse interests and sizes and identified a revealing trend. All groups admitted that they use social media technologies to communicate with citizens almost every day. Respondents also believe that social media enable them to accomplish their advocacy and organizational goals …
Canadian Advocacy 2.0
One hundred and fifty-seven representatives from 63 advocacy organizations operating in Canada were surveyed to evaluate the extent to which these groups are adopting social media, and perceive that these technologies offer affordances that contribute to the advancement of activism objectives. Quantitative results of social media adoption reveal that groups are engaging with a limited selection of social media technologies (mainly Facebook and Tw…
Reconciling Political and Economic Goals in the Net Neutrality Debate
The net neutrality debate is one of several sites of struggles to adapt and redefine rights and obligations of stakeholders in the Internet-centric communications system. Its outcomes will shape the future of the Internet and influence the level and distribution of its benefits. We identify key values that drive the net neutrality discussion and examine the governance mechanisms proposed to achieve these objectives. We find that there is no singl…
The Emerging Mobile Internet Underclass
This article provides a critical comparative analysis of mobile versus personal computer (PC)-based forms of Internet access. Drawing from an interdisciplinary body of literature, it illustrates a wide range of ways in which mobile Internet access offers lower levels of functionality and content availability; operates on less open and flexible platforms; and contributes to diminished levels of user engagement, content creation, and information se…
Social media definition and the governance challenge
Big Data and The Phantom Public
In 1927, Walter Lippmann published The Phantom Public, denouncing the 'mystical fallacy of democracy.' Decrying romantic democratic models that privilege self-governance, he writes: "I have not happened to meet anybody, from a President of the United States to a professor of political science, who came anywhere near to embodying the accepted ideal of the sovereign and omnicompetent citizen." Almost 90 years later, Lippmann's pragmatism is as rele…
Keeping Internet Users in the Know or in the Dark
In the wake of Snowden's revelations about National Security Agency (NSA) surveillance, demands that Internet carriers be more forthcoming about their handling of personal information have intensified. Responding to this concern, this report evaluates the data privacy transparency of forty-three Internet carriers serving the Canadian public. Carriers are awarded up to ten stars based on the public availability of information satisfying ten transp…
The Biggest Lie on the Internet
This paper addresses 'the biggest lie on the internet' with an empirical investigation of privacy policy (PP) and terms of service (TOS) policy reading behavior. An experimental survey (N=543) assessed the extent to which individuals ignored PP and TOS when joining a fictitious social networking service, NameDrop. Results reveal 74% skipped PP, selecting the 'quick join' clickwrap. Average adult reading speed (250-280 words per minute), suggests …
The biggest lie on the Internet
This paper addresses 'the biggest lie on the internet' with an empirical investigation of privacy policy (PP) and terms of service (TOS) policy reading behavior. An experimental survey (N = 543) assessed the extent to which individuals ignored PP and TOS when joining a fictitious social networking service (SNS), NameDrop. Results reveal 74% skipped PP, selecting the 'quick join' clickwrap. Average adult reading speed (250-280 words per minute), s…
The Clickwrap
The clickwrap is a digital prompt that facilitates consent processes by affording users the opportunity to quickly accept or reject digital media policies. A qualitative survey analysis was conducted ( N = 513), assessing user interactions with the consent materials of a fictitious social media service, NameDrop. Findings suggest that clickwraps serve a political economic function by facilitating the circumvention of consent materials. Herman and…
Searching for Data Privacy Self-Management
The problematic presumption that users can control the vast consent and data-management responsibilities associated with big data is referred to as the fallacy of data privacy self-management. Though untenable, this presumption remains fundamental to Canadian privacy law, exemplified in the individual access principle of the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act governing commercial data management. This article describes t…
Strategies for Media Reform
Media reform plays an increasingly important role in the struggle for social justice. As battles are fought over the future of investigative journalism, media ownership, spectrum management, speech rights, broadband access, network neutrality, the surveillance apparatus, and digital literacy, what effective strategies can be used in the pursuit of effective media reform?Prepared by thirty-three scholars and activists from more than twenty-five co…
Sunlight alone is not a disinfectant
In our attempts to achieve privacy and reputation deliverables, advocating for service providers and other data managers to open Big Data black boxes and be more transparent about consent processes, algorithmic details, and data practice is easy. Moving from this call to meaningful forms of transparency, where the Big Data details are available, useful, and manageable is more difficult. Most challenging is moving from that difficult task of meani…
Open Communication about Network Neutrality? Assessing the Internet Traffic Management Transparency of Canadian Internet Carriers
Background: Engaging users in the network neutrality debate requires that internet service providers (internet carriers) communicate information about the management of network traffic. Analysis: This pilot study of 42 carriers assesses transparency about internet traffic management practices (ITMPs), awarding up to ten stars via ten criteria. Policy materials on corporate websites suggest carriers demonstrate poor ITMP transparency, averaging 0.…
Aligned with the Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights? An artificial intelligence transparency evaluation of company privacy notices and explanations
Crafting an Intersectional Response to Bill C-27 for the Standing Committee on Industry and Technology
Background: In the fall of 2023, a group of scholars prepared a brief to respond intersectionally to Bill C-27 after its second reading and study by the Standing Committee on Industry and Technology. Updates to Canada’s private sector privacy law and regulation of artificial intelligence were important elements proposed in Bill C-27. Analysis: This article reflects upon five significant issues related to our brief and intersectionality. Conclusio…
Political science (14 obras) · Law (10 obras) · Computer Science (9 obras) · Social Media and Politics (9 obras) · Business (8 obras) · Sociology (8 obras) · Internet privacy (7 obras) · Privacy, Security, and Data Protection (7 obras) · Public relations (7 obras) · Law (6 obras)