|
Dear Mozilla Supporter,
If the past few months have shown us anything, it's that the internet has the power to do tremendous harm as well as good. Far right groups organized online to storm the US Capitol building, and misinformation about COVID-19 spread rapidly on social media. At the same time, the internet has been a lifeline for many of us trying to work, learn, and stay connected during the ongoing pandemic.
I work for Mozilla because I believe in the power and potential of the web. And I'm sending you this email feeling incredibly hopeful because already in 2021, the Mozilla community has done some amazing things to build a better internet. And it's all thanks to your support.
Changing the rules of the game As our recent Internet Health Report showed, a small number of technology companies have increasing power over us when we're online. The power and potential of the web are about more than the bottom lines of a few corporations. That's why Mozilla is working with lawmakers around the world to change the rules of the game so that the internet works for people and not just profit:
Net Neutrality (USA)
With a new President elected in the United States, we have a chance to restore net neutrality, taking away the power of internet service providers to create internet fast lanes and slow lanes for those with deeper pockets. We've joined with other groups to write an open letter to the FCC on this issue, now weâre seeking your thoughts about how we should engage on the next phase of the net neutrality fight.
Digital Services Act (Europe)
In Europe, lawmakers have announced plans for major new legislation (the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act) to hold big technology companies to account. Mozilla is working to make sure these new laws are fit for purpose and serve the interests of people over tech giants. You can read more about the new legislation here. And you can be sure that the tech giants will be lobbying hard to water it down in the coming months, so we will need your support.
Investing in digital leaders With the support of community members like you, Mozilla invests in researchers, artists, activists, and web developers who are trying to improve the health of the internet by tackling racist algorithms, protecting our privacy online, and so much more:
2021 Fellows
Mozilla Fellow Deb Raji is an expert in algorithmic auditing, digging into the programs and code technology companies use to make sure it isn't biased or harmful. Her work has been in the news a lot recently, from Fast Company to the New York Times. We're so proud to partner with Deb and Fellows like Julia Reinhardt and Carrie Sijia Wang.
The first virtual Mozfest
Eleven years after the first Mozfest, we crossed a new frontier. We took our amazing annual conference fully online for the first time. Nearly 10,000 of you attended 580 interactive sessions over 12 days. There were inspiring conversations and collaborations across countries and languages with one thing in common: a passion to make the internet a better place. Mozfest is the place where future leaders meet, connect and share their ideas with each other. If you missed this year you can see some of the highlights here.
Shaping the future The internet is always changing, and that can be very exciting and scary. Mozilla is committed to investing in the tools and technology to make sure the future internet is a better place:
Data Futures Lab
The future of the internet will definitely involve data. And whether you're a big data nerd or you're just concerned with how your data is used online, we need to make sure that the profits of a few companies aren't what shapes how our data is stored and used. That's why we've launched a Data Futures Lab to explore different ways of doing data. You can check out the newly released ecosystem analysis here.
Common Voice
Believe it or not, in a few years your voice will be one of the main ways you navigate the web. From smart devices to voice dictation, we need to make sure that voice recognition is open and accessible to everyone around the world. Common Voice is our project to do just that. Learn more and donate your voice here.
Whew â I'm excited about this combination of work and I hope you are too. For every scary headline about a data leak or digital surveillance, there are thousands of stories from the Mozilla community of people building a better internet. We and they couldn't do it without your support. So thank you for being part of our community and for all that you do,
â Carys and the rest of the Mozilla team
|
|
