Student Testimonial
January 16, 2025
Dear Donor,
My name is Tyler Johnson, a second year Master’s of Public Policy student at Georgetown University. As a Tech and Public Policy scholar, I serve as a research assistant within the Evidence for Justice Lab where we explore innovative and effective approaches to safety and justice through evidence-based action. Similarly, I serve as the President of Black Perspectives on Public Policy, an organization dedicated to understanding the intersectionalities of public policy and its impact on marginalized communities, especially Black individuals.
My interest in technology policy is rooted in my passion for advocacy, specifically how data privacy legislation should outline the protection of an individual's right to self and their personal information. Similarly, I seek to understand how we can address the consequences and potential harms of algorithmic bias on different ethnic groups.
What I’ve discovered throughout my research opportunities and experiences is that Black people can be disproportionately affected by biased machine-learning systems and improper use of their individual data. Not to mention, the accessibility and unchecked power of Big Tech corporations over our data collection and usage can have direct negative effects on Black people, whether it's the spread of targeted misinformation, or even the promotion of racial stereotypes as a result of algorithmic content recommendation, regardless of its inaccuracies.
As the debate on data privacy legislation continues, it's crucial for lawmakers to acknowledge and address the potential for disparate impacts on different communities. Additionally, corporate accountability is essential to mitigate the potential negative effects their services and systems may have on these individuals. By supporting organizations that are tackling these issues, your support can help advocate for better regulation on data rights and create a safer digital space for Black people.
Below you’ll find some organizations who are committed to this research:
Color of Change: the nation’s largest online racial justice organization, highlighting how data collection, surveillance, and algorithmic bias can perpetuate racial discrimination in areas like criminal justice, employment, and housing. Their newly launched Black Tech Agenda advocates for stronger data privacy protections, federal AI disclosure requirements, and banning.
Center on Privacy & Technology at Georgetown Law: a think tank focused on privacy and surveillance law and policy, dedicated to protecting privacy rights, with a focus on the impact of surveillance on historically marginalized communities. The center has various publications addressing how surveillance technology tracks individuals, its impacts on members of marginalized communities, and government decision-making for tech policies.
Electronic Privacy Information Center: a public interest research center that seeks to protect privacy, freedom of expression and democratic values. EPIC has launched several campaigns focused on addressing bias and promoting human privacy rights, including the Screening and Scoring Project as well as AI and Human Rights Project.
Algorithmic Justice League: an organization that combines art and research to illuminate the social implications and harms of artificial intelligence, equip advocates, policy makers and industry practitioners with empirical research to mitigate AI harms and biases.
Thanks to these organizations, research in this field can continue, but they can’t do it alone. By supporting them, your contributions would help advance efforts in fostering a safer, more equitable digital world for all individuals.
Thank you so much for considering how you can make a difference.
Best Regards,
Tyler Johnson
Tech and Public Policy Scholar
McCourt School of Public Policy
Georgetown University
