Net Policy Evening

The Netzpolitischer Abend (Net Policy Evening) has become an established part of Elevate and will again take place this year, offering insights into current net policy issues. The discussion will focus on topics such as IT security research, uncovering vulnerabilities in Austria, biased algorithms, and the the politics of a biometric idenification initiative – the Aadhaar project – in India.

Participants include Sebastian Kneidinger, Lisa Duschek and Gyan Tripathi. The evening will be moderated by Elisabeth Kury.

Sebastian Kneidinger - Biometric Surveillance & Fundamental Rights: Why Real-Time Identification in Public Spaces Remains a Risk

The EU AI Act has largely banned real-time biometric surveillance in public spaces, yet exceptions leave room for its use. While Austria took a critical stance in negotiations, the challenge remains: How can we protect privacy and freedom of assembly without ignoring security concerns? This talk explores the technical, legal, and societal risks of biometric surveillance systems and discusses the necessary steps to ensure a digital future that upholds fundamental rights.

Lisa Duschek
AI is often seen as inherently biased, flawed, or even dangerous. But is bias really a problem of AI itself, or does it stem from the data we use to train it? This talk addresses common misconceptions about algorithmic bias, arguing that bias is not an unavoidable flaw of AI but a challenge of data collection. Through real-world examples, we will explore when biases arise from faulty datasets and when they result from misinterpreting AI outcomes. The goal is to foster a nuanced understanding of AI ethics—free from fear and prejudice—while discussing ways to mitigate bias without demonizing AI.

Gyan Prakash Tripathi - Between Identity and Privacy: Decoding the Politics of Aadhaar in India

The Aadhaar project, a groundbreaking biometric identification initiative introduced in India, has become a cornerstone of the country’s vision for digital governance and financial inclusion. Introduced with the promise of streamlining welfare distribution, eliminating leakages, and empowering citizens through robust identity verification, Aadhaar has simultaneously ignited spirited debates on state surveillance and the commodification of personal data. This talk will explore the political economy surrounding Aadhaar, its implications for privacy, and data protection, and the balance between technological advancement and individual rights.