Online Tracking: Het Net Sluit Zich

How do we say goodbye to online tracking? Experts from the UvA, Rathenau and DPG Media on the road to a cookie-free, ethical internet.

On Thursday, October 9, The Privacy Collective is organizing a public meeting about the road to an internet without online tracking. Speakers from the Rathenau Institute, the University of Amsterdam, The Privacy Collective and DPG Media will discuss the harmful impact of online tracking and privacy-friendly advertising methods. Interested parties are cordially invited to attend the evening for free.

Online tracking leads to mass surveillance, online manipulation and discrimination and poses a threat to our public values ​​in several respects. At the same time, it is a persistent phenomenon that is deeply intertwined with the revenue model of the internet: online advertisements.

Growing awareness, ongoing lawsuits and stricter regulations are putting this revenue model under increasing pressure. The evening's speakers will address questions such as: How can we move to a cookie-free, privacy-friendly internet with ethical advertising methods? What can citizens and NGOs do to stand up for online privacy, and what is needed for the advertising industry to make this transition?

Program

Rathenau Institute on “The Price of Free Internet”

The Rathenau Institute presents the findings of her recent research into the harmful impact of online tracking and profiling on public values. Attention is paid to the dominant role of tracking in the online advertising market, legal and social bottlenecks, and three possible paths to a privacy-friendly alternative, such as better enforcement and contextual advertising.

Fabio Votta (University of Amsterdam) on political microtargeting

Dr. Fabio Votta conducts research into political microtargeting at the UvA. He explains how campaign teams and social media companies use citizen data to create targeted advertisements, often with opaque algorithms. He discusses the role of social media platforms, the recent halt of political advertising by Meta in the EU, and the impact on fair elections.

Christiaan Alberdingk Thijm (The Privacy Collective / bureau Brandeis) on the legal battle against online tracking

Christiaan Alberdingk Thijm leads with law firm bureau Brandeis the collective lawsuit that The Privacy Collective is conducting against cookie traders Salesforce and Oracle. He shares updates on this pioneering case and discusses various legal developments that are putting increasing pressure on the adtech system.

Bert Verschelde (DPG Media) on the transition to privacy-friendly advertising

Bert Verschelde is Director Privacy & DPO at DPG Netherlands and Belgium and explains how DPG Media is switching to privacy-friendly advertising methods, such as contextual advertising and data use with informed consent. He discusses the dependence on adtech giants, the obstacles for advertisers, and how the industry can transform towards a more sustainable approach.

Lars de Bie, Senior Inspector of System Supervision at the Dutch Data Protection Authority will participate in the discussion panel at the end of the meeting. He sheds light on the role of enforcement and supervision in reducing online tracking and encouraging privacy-friendly alternatives.

Panel discussion

With speakers from the evening and room for questions from the public.

Drinks

Networking opportunity with drinks.