The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Telecommunications and Information Working Group (TEL) is the most important event for the telecommunications industry in the Asia-Pacific region and is held twice yearly. The industry roundtable is a key means for all member economies to exchange best practices, especially since regulators across the APEC region are facing the common challenge of determining how best to facilitate development of the digital economy through the use of new technologies. During the first afternoon, an industry roundtable cross-workgroup format entitled, Best Practices for Enhancing Digital Literacy was held. Industry officials and scholars discussed how AI, IoT and other technological changes have brought about a global digital divide, and were afforded the opportunity of exchanging views on how to reduce the divide through public and private cooperation. The discussion especially pertained to the spreading of improper information on the internet leading to children being sexually exploited or physically or psychologically abused. The delegates were also provided with opportunities to share their efforts in prevention, particularly through technology or legislation. In terms of popular and controversial issues that have been discussed both globally, as well as domestically, both Facebook and Google were invited to share how they promote overall industry and social development through multiple-stakeholder cooperation mechanisms and other methods.
The roundtable began with focus on the digital divide and digital capabilities. Dr Park Dong Sun of the APEC Human Resources Development Working Group pointed out that the Fourth Industrial Revolution has brought about staggering changes worldwide, ranging from IoT and Big Data to VR/AR, all of which have forced people to look at the world with different eyes. Therefore, all APEC member economies are striving to increase educational opportunities related to information and communications. A delegate from South Korea’s Think Tank, Information Society Development Institute, explained how, since 2001, South Korea has been promoting information network clusters. To date, there are 342 clusters serving the elderly, the handicapped, those in remote areas and immigrants, all of which have reduced the divide and created a substantial digital economy.
According to the United States’ National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, around 500 images of sexually abused children are circulated on the internet each minute. The circulation of such images, as well as cyber bullying, has become under serious scrutiny by all member economies of the APEC. Australia shared information on their cybersecurity committee office and described its prevention measures against the circulation of inappropriate images. Microsoft shared how a technology they developed can give each image a digital DNA so that those tasked with rooting out images of abuse, etc do not actually view the image itself. The Microsoft representative also described its coordinative efforts with Google, Facebook, Twitter, and the US National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in this regard. The representative of iWIN, an Internet content protection organization from Taiwan also discussed its cross-department cooperation and multi-stakeholders participation methods, which coincide with the global Internet governance model.
The consensus was that following up on trans-national and cross-field issues brought about by network technology was required. Meanwhile, Google allows information to be made more ubiquitous and useful by using AI and other technologies to block improper information from spreading. The Facebook representative stressed that optimizing people’s digital literacy, such as by advertising to users and reporters, and cooperating with campuses or government departments can be a fundamental solution. Facebook also blocks the financial flow from advertisements with improper content and demotes certain content deemed inappropriate and also emphasized its willingness to work with local organizations in a coordinated effort to tackle inappropriate content.
Through Best Practices for Enhancing Digital Literacy roundtable, Taiwan has been afforded an opportunity to express its commitment to facilitating mutually beneficial solutions affecting the region as a whole. From the common challenges and controversial issues discussed, Taiwan is committed to working closely with the Asia-Pacific member economies to achieve a vision of a digital society across the APEC region.
