Jaskaran Singh

Only in narrow cases—with warrants, strict limits, independent oversight, and transparency—otherwise it’s too easy to abuse and harms privacy and rights. @houmanmehrabian.bsky.social

It can boost innovation and growth through targeted ads and data-driven products, but overall it undermines democracy and privacy by enabling manipulation, concentrated power, and constant behavioral tracking. @houmanmehrabian.bsky.social

Not widely. The risk to mental privacy is too high—inner speech tech could be used for coercion, surveillance, or discrimination. It should be limited to voluntary medical use with strict consent, minimal data storage, strong encryption, and bans on employer/police use. @houmanmehrabian.bsky.social

No—not as a blanket policy. Even if it reduces crime, a “panopticon” AI surveillance system can chill free behavior, enable bias, and expand into abuse. It should only be allowed in narrow, time-limited cases with a warrant, independent oversight, transparency, and proof it’s necessary and effective

Should governments ban social media for people under 15 to protect children, even if it limits free expression and requires age verification that could increase surveillance ?

Czech prime minister in favour of social media ban for under-15s Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis said on Sunday he was in favour of banning the use of social media by children under 15, as a growing number of European countries consider similar restrictions.

www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
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The trade-off is real: stricter rules can slightly reduce deal-making and investment. But the democratic cost of weak media pluralism is bigger. The smartest approach is targeted regulation:

Should governments keep using tariffs to protect local industries, even if it reduces global investment (FDI) and slows economic growth—or should they prioritize open trade to attract investment, even if some jobs move abroad?

Global investment decline may worsen due to tariffs, UN trade agency warns Global foreign direct investment fell for the second consecutive year in 2024, with fears this year could be even worse as trade tensions rock investor confidence, the United Nations agency for trade ...

www.reuters.com/business/glo...
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Symbolic capital is both: it usually comes from recognition of other capitals, but once you have that status/reputation, it becomes its own power (people trust and obey you because of it).

Digital disruption is real, so some support makes sense—but the goal shouldn’t be “more events.” The best answer is build the conditions for connection: predictable work hours, accessible community spaces, and inclusive public programmes, then let people choose how to participate.

Governments and employers should support stronger real-world social bonds, because digital life can isolate people into “bubbles” and weaken trust. But it should be light-touch and voluntary—fund community-led programs, create shared spaces, and encourage inclusive workplace activities

In a digitally disrupted society, should governments and employers actively intervene (through policies, programmes, and incentives) to build diverse real-world social bonds—or should social connectedness be left to individuals and communities to form naturally?

DPM Gan calls for stronger social bonds amid digital disruption As digital technologies reshape how people work and interact, DPM Gan Kim Yong outlines why trust, diverse social ties, and everyday cooperation are central to Singapore’s economic competitiveness, so...

www.humanresourcesonline.net/dpm-gan-call...
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Deferred judgment in digital discourse can empower individuals by allowing diverse voices to be heard without immediate punishment, but it can also enable subtle oppression when delayed moderation quietly suppresses certain viewpoints without transparency or accountability.

Governments should prioritize safeguards and parental controls over outright bans, as protecting mental health is important, but broad restrictions risk limiting personal freedom, parental choice, and digital literacy development.

Government security agencies should not secretly collect journalists’ data, as it undermines press freedom, erodes public trust, and threatens democracy, even when justified by national security concerns.

Should governments be allowed to criminalize social media speech in the name of national security, even if it restricts human rights advocacy and political dissent?

Pakistani human rights lawyers jailed for 17 years over social media posts A Pakistani court has sentenced a lawyer couple to 17 years in prison each over social media posts authorities said were hostile to the state and its security institutions.

apnews.com/article/paki... 
Pakistani human rights lawyers jailed for 17 years over social media posts
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Limiting social media use for those under a certain age can be reasonable when it helps safeguard wellbeing and prevent exploitation by harmful algorithms.

Governments may be justified in restricting social media access for minors if it clearly improves mental health and reduces online harm.

Yes, governments can justify banning social media for people under a certain age if there is strong evidence it protects mental health, reduces harm, and limits exploitation by algorithms designed to maximize engagement.

Should governments be allowed to ban social media use for people under a certain age if it might protect young people’s wellbeing, even if it limits freedom of expression and access to digital communities? 
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Australia launches a social media ban – and is AI a bubble about to pop? Under-16s to be banned from social media in Australia, and analysts continue to monitor the massive investment in AI

www.theguardian.com/technology/2...

Should police departments use AI facial recognition technology on body cameras if it risks privacy and bias concerns, even if it might improve public safety? 

AI-powered police body cameras, once taboo, get tested on Canadian city's 'watch list' of faces Police in Edmonton, Canada, have started a pilot project using AI-equipped body cameras to detect faces on a "high risk" watch list.

apnews.com/article/ai-f... 
AI-powered police body cameras, once taboo, get tested on Canadian city's 'watch list' of faces
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To what extent should U.S. technology companies be held responsible for how their products are used in foreign government surveillance systems, especially when those systems may contribute to human rights abuses?

PHOTO ESSAY: Invisible infrared surveillance technology and those caught in its digital cage When you unlock a phone, step into view of a security camera or drive past a license plate reader at night, beams of infrared light - invisible to the naked eye — shine onto the unique contours of you...

apnews.com/photo-essay/... 
PHOTO ESSAY: Invisible infrared surveillance technology and those caught in its digital cage
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