Emerging Technology Issues – Trillium Asset Management

Alphabet, Inc – AI Principles and Board Oversight (2024)

December 9, 2023

AI Principles and Board Oversight In 2018 Alphabet launched its Artificial Intelligence (AI) Principles which included the following: Be socially beneficial Avoid creating or reinforcing unfair bias Be built and tested for safety Be accountable to people Incorporate privacy design principles Uphold high standards of scientific excellence Be made available for uses that accord with these principles https://ai.google/responsibility/principles/ However, there is evidence which suggests that the AI Principles have not been successfully implemented. In August 2023, the New York Times reported on a project “with generative A.I. to perform at least 21 different types of personal and professional tasks, including …

Alphabet Inc – Algorithm Disclosure (2023)

February 7, 2023

Whereas legislators, regulators, academics, and civil society increasingly require information to help understand how algorithmic systems can lead to discriminatory and other harmful outcomes in education, labor, medicine, criminal justice, and online platforms.[1] In 2022 the White House published a Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights including a call for “algorithmic impact assessments” from independent evaluators to look for discrimination.[2] In 2021: (1) bipartisan lawmakers introduced the Filter Bubble Transparency Act, which would require companies to provide a version of their products which uses an “input-transparent” algorithm; (2) the Social Media Disclosure and Transparency of Advertisements Act was introduced …

Verizon – Wireless Network Neutrality (2015)

November 20, 2014

Whereas, Wireless communications are critical to Verizon. In 2014 the Company completed its acquisition of Vodafone’s interest in Verizon Wireless for approximately $130 billion. Verizon’s 4G LTE wireless network now reaches 97 percent of the U.S. population. A critical factor in this growth has been the open (non-discriminatory) architecture of the Internet. Non-discrimination principles are commonly referred to as “network neutrality” and seek to ensure equal access and non-discriminatory treatment for all content. We believe open Internet policies help drive the economy, encourage innovation and reward investors. Network neutrality principles may help Verizon financially by bringing new products to its …

Report on Government Requests for Customer Information – Verizon Communications (2014)

December 2, 2013

Whereas, Customer trust is critical for any business, but especially for Internet and telecommunications companies that gather personal data concerning and affecting the lives of hundreds of millions of people in the U.S. and around the world. The Wall Street Journal has reported that Verizon has provided millions of U.S. customers’ call records to the National Security Agency (NSA). Controversy over government surveillance programs reportedly involving Verizon has spurred massive global press coverage, hearings in the U.S. Congress and European legislature, and widespread calls for reform. Brazilian President Rousseff called the NSA surveillance program “a breach of international law.” U.S. …

Report on Government Requests for Consumer Information- AT&T (2014)*

December 2, 2013

Whereas, The Wall Street Journal has reported that AT&T has provided millions of U.S. customers’ call records to the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA). “US Collects Vast Data Trove,” June 7,2013. AT&T acknowledges in its corporate code of conduct that privacy is critical to the success of its business. Yet,the Company has not disclosed to customers and investors any information regarding the extent and nature of requests for customer data made on the Company by government agencies. Controversy over U.S. government surveillance programs reportedly involving AT&T has spurred massive global press coverage, hearings in the U.S. Congress and the European …

Information for Current eBay Shareholders Regarding Trillium’s 2013 Shareholder Proposal

March 27, 2013

On behalf of our clients, Trillium Asset Management filed a 2013 shareholder resolution with eBay Inc. (NASDAQ: EBAY) which asks the Company’s Board of Directors to: “Publish a report, at reasonable expense and excluding confidential or proprietary information, explaining how the Board is overseeing privacy and data security risks”. The resolution appears as Proposal #4 on the Company’s 2013 proxy materials and is opposed by management. Rationale for Yes Vote Privacy and data security have quickly become one of the most critical business and social issues of our time. They are especially important for companies like eBay whose business depends …

Wireless Network Neutrality – Verizon (2013)

November 26, 2012

Whereas, Wireless communications are critical to Verizon. In 2011 wireless constituted almost two-thirds of total revenue, with wireless data revenue growing 21 percent on an annual basis. A critical factor in this growth has been the open (non-discriminatory) architecture of the Internet. Non-discrimination principles are commonly referred to as “network neutrality” and seek to ensure equal access and non-discriminatory treatment for all content. We believe open Internet policies help drive the economy, encourage innovation and reward investors. Network neutrality principles may help Verizon financially by bringing new products to its platform, attracting customers and creating opportunities to share revenue with developers. …

Wireless Network Neutrality – AT&T (2013)

November 26, 2012

Whereas, Wireless communications are critical to AT&T. In 2011 wireless constituted about half of Company revenue; over the next five years, AT&T expects mobile data traffic to grow more than eight times from 2011 levels. A critical factor in this growth is the open (non-discriminatory) architecture of the Internet. Non-discrimination principles are commonly referred to as “network neutrality” and seek to ensure equal access and non-discriminatory treatment for all content. We believe open Internet policies help drive the economy, encourage innovation and reward investors. Network neutrality principles may help AT&T financially by bringing new products to its platform, attracting customers …

Network Neutrality On Wireless Networks – Verizon (2012)

January 11, 2012

WHEREAS: The open (non-discriminatory) architecture of the Internet is critical to the prosperity of our economy and society. Non-discrimination principles are commonly referred to as “network neutrality” and seek to ensure equal access and non-discriminatory treatment for all content. As President Obama and Federal Communication Commission Chairman Genachowski have pointed out, an open Internet plays a pivotal role in solving critical national problems such as healthcare, education, energy, and public safety and is necessary “to preserve the freedom and openness that have allowed the Internet to become a transformative and powerful platform for speech and expression.” Network neutrality rules are …

Network Neutrality On Wireless Networks – AT&T (2012)

December 19, 2011

Whereas: The open (non-discriminatory) architecture of the Internet is critical to the prosperity of our economy and society. Non-discrimination principles are commonly referred to as “network neutrality” and seek to ensure equal access and non-discriminatory treatment for all content. As President Obama and Federal Communication Commission Chairman Genachowski have pointed out, an open Internet plays a pivotal role in solving critical national problems such as healthcare, education, energy, and public safety and is necessary “to preserve the freedom and openness that have allowed the Internet to become a transformative and powerful platform for speech and expression.” Network neutrality rules are …

Alphabet, Inc – AI Principles and Board Oversight (2024)

Alphabet Inc – Algorithm Disclosure (2023)

Verizon – Wireless Network Neutrality (2015)

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