DeVan Hankerson Madrigal
@dvhankerson.bsky.social
DeVan Hankerson Madrigal, Research Manager at cendemtech.bsky.social. Previously @GTownTechLaw. All tweets are my views only; retweets and likes may not be.
Pronouns: she/her
https://twitter.com/dvhankerson
https://techpolicy.social/@dvhankerson
Pronouns: she/her
https://twitter.com/dvhankerson
https://techpolicy.social/@dvhankerson
Reposted by DeVan Hankerson Madrigal
It’s not every day that UX researcher whistleblowers testify before the Senate. Yesterday, two former Meta researchers, Jason Sattizahn and Cayce Savage, shared their concerns with safety research for Meta VR products, and more broadly within Meta. So how does UX research move on from here? 🧵
September 10, 2025 at 2:57 PM
It’s not every day that UX researcher whistleblowers testify before the Senate. Yesterday, two former Meta researchers, Jason Sattizahn and Cayce Savage, shared their concerns with safety research for Meta VR products, and more broadly within Meta. So how does UX research move on from here? 🧵
Reposted by DeVan Hankerson Madrigal
To make language technologies better, AI systems need to be built with native speakers and language experts, some of whom we highlight in this work, others include folks at Whose Knowledge, Mozilla, Karya, Masakhane, Te Hiku and more:
cdt.org/insights/con....
cdt.org/insights/con....
Content Moderation in the Global South: A Comparative Study of Four Low-Resource Languages
[ PDF version ] Executive Summary: Insights from Four Case Studies Over the past 18 months, the Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) has been studying how content moderation systems operate across ...
cdt.org
August 22, 2025 at 7:05 PM
To make language technologies better, AI systems need to be built with native speakers and language experts, some of whom we highlight in this work, others include folks at Whose Knowledge, Mozilla, Karya, Masakhane, Te Hiku and more:
cdt.org/insights/con....
cdt.org/insights/con....
Reposted by DeVan Hankerson Madrigal
Our own study of multilingual AI finds that these systems are trained on mostly English-lang data, machine translated speech, or data scraped from the web which doesn't represent how people speak. Translation is an art form. AI is creating six-fingered mimicry of language: cdt.org/insights/los...
Since 2023, translators and interpreters have seen work dry up, rates plummet and their jobs reduced to editing AI-generated output. Some are leaving the field, others are considering bankruptcy. All despite any major upgrade in translation quality.
This is how AI is killing translation work:
This is how AI is killing translation work:
AI Killed My Job: Translators
Few industries have been hit by AI as hard as translation. Rates are plummeting. Work is drying up. Translators are considering abandoning the field, or bankruptcy. These are their stories.
www.bloodinthemachine.com
August 22, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Our own study of multilingual AI finds that these systems are trained on mostly English-lang data, machine translated speech, or data scraped from the web which doesn't represent how people speak. Translation is an art form. AI is creating six-fingered mimicry of language: cdt.org/insights/los...
Reposted by DeVan Hankerson Madrigal
July 30, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Reposted by DeVan Hankerson Madrigal
Most content moderation systems weren’t built with the Global South in mind. CDT’s new research shows how they fail in Tamil, Kiswahili, Quechua & more.
Join our Aug 7 webinar for findings, recommendations, and global voices on language equity in tech.
Join our Aug 7 webinar for findings, recommendations, and global voices on language equity in tech.
July 24, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Most content moderation systems weren’t built with the Global South in mind. CDT’s new research shows how they fail in Tamil, Kiswahili, Quechua & more.
Join our Aug 7 webinar for findings, recommendations, and global voices on language equity in tech.
Join our Aug 7 webinar for findings, recommendations, and global voices on language equity in tech.
Reposted by DeVan Hankerson Madrigal
Most content moderation systems weren’t built with the Global South in mind. CDT’s new research shows how they fail in Tamil, Kiswahili, Quechua & more.
Join our Aug 7 webinar for findings, recommendations, and global voices on language equity in tech.
Join our Aug 7 webinar for findings, recommendations, and global voices on language equity in tech.
July 16, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Most content moderation systems weren’t built with the Global South in mind. CDT’s new research shows how they fail in Tamil, Kiswahili, Quechua & more.
Join our Aug 7 webinar for findings, recommendations, and global voices on language equity in tech.
Join our Aug 7 webinar for findings, recommendations, and global voices on language equity in tech.
Reposted by DeVan Hankerson Madrigal
President Trump's attempt to fire the Democratic members of the #FederalTradeCommission today is outrageous. The FTC is now the latest agency to see its Dem commissioners fired without cause, joining the Privacy & Civil Liberties Oversight Board, EEOC, Federal Election Commission, NLRB & more.
March 18, 2025 at 11:05 PM
President Trump's attempt to fire the Democratic members of the #FederalTradeCommission today is outrageous. The FTC is now the latest agency to see its Dem commissioners fired without cause, joining the Privacy & Civil Liberties Oversight Board, EEOC, Federal Election Commission, NLRB & more.
Reposted by DeVan Hankerson Madrigal
Join me alongside Centre for Internet & Society, Paradigm Initiative, and Hiperderecho at #RightsCon2025 next week talking equitable content moderation! More sessions on enhancing multilingual AI and human rights implications of LLMs here: cdt.org/insights/cdt...
February 21, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Join me alongside Centre for Internet & Society, Paradigm Initiative, and Hiperderecho at #RightsCon2025 next week talking equitable content moderation! More sessions on enhancing multilingual AI and human rights implications of LLMs here: cdt.org/insights/cdt...
Reposted by DeVan Hankerson Madrigal
Ripoti hii inaangazia jinsi mbinu za sasa za usimamizi wa maudhui zinavyoshindwa kukidhi mahitaji ya wazungumzaji wa Kiswahili zaidi ya milioni 100.
Soma ripoti kamili hapa: cdt.org/insights/mod...
Soma ripoti kamili hapa: cdt.org/insights/mod...
Moderating Kiswahili Content on Social Media
[ PDF version ] Introduction Africa, a continent with over 2,000 languages and home to more than one-third of the world’s linguistic diversity, has many languages that remain beyond the reach of both ...
cdt.org
February 13, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Ripoti hii inaangazia jinsi mbinu za sasa za usimamizi wa maudhui zinavyoshindwa kukidhi mahitaji ya wazungumzaji wa Kiswahili zaidi ya milioni 100.
Soma ripoti kamili hapa: cdt.org/insights/mod...
Soma ripoti kamili hapa: cdt.org/insights/mod...
Reposted by DeVan Hankerson Madrigal
Je, #UsimamiziWaMaudhui ya kiswahili kwenye mitandao ya kijamii unawaathiri vipi wazungumzaji wa Kiswahili? Tumeshirikiana na Paradigm Initiative kuandaa ripoti hii iliyotafsiriwa kwa lugha ya kiswahili. cdt.org/insights/mod...
February 13, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Je, #UsimamiziWaMaudhui ya kiswahili kwenye mitandao ya kijamii unawaathiri vipi wazungumzaji wa Kiswahili? Tumeshirikiana na Paradigm Initiative kuandaa ripoti hii iliyotafsiriwa kwa lugha ya kiswahili. cdt.org/insights/mod...
Great report from my colleagues @aliyabhatia.bsky.social and @mluria.bsky.social. So timely!
🚨 New report alert! 🚨 CDT convened researchers, policy experts, and civil society leaders in late 204 to discuss research-driven approaches to children’s online safety. Our latest report captures key insights from this important conversation. cdt.org/insights/the...
The Kids are Online: Research-Driven Insights on Child Safety Policy
Executive Summary This report summarizes the key discussions and insights from an in-person symposium held in September 2024 on the topic of children’s online safety policy. The event convened academic researchers, policy experts, and civil society representatives to explore research-driven approaches to addressing critical issues impacting young users in digital environments. During the symposium, we […]
cdt.org
February 27, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Great report from my colleagues @aliyabhatia.bsky.social and @mluria.bsky.social. So timely!
Reposted by DeVan Hankerson Madrigal
This #BlackHistoryMonth, we’re reflecting on the work needed to center racial justice in technology policy. Regardless of political winds, it’s critical to address systemic biases & inequities that can disproportionately harm Black communities.
February 25, 2025 at 2:53 PM
This #BlackHistoryMonth, we’re reflecting on the work needed to center racial justice in technology policy. Regardless of political winds, it’s critical to address systemic biases & inequities that can disproportionately harm Black communities.
Reposted by DeVan Hankerson Madrigal
How is #ContentModeration impacting Kiswahili speakers? We partnered with Paradigm Initiative for this translated report. Now available in Kiswahili, “Moderating Kiswahili Content on Social Media” dives into how current content moderation practices fail to meet the needs of 100M+ Kiswahili speakers.
February 13, 2025 at 4:30 PM
How is #ContentModeration impacting Kiswahili speakers? We partnered with Paradigm Initiative for this translated report. Now available in Kiswahili, “Moderating Kiswahili Content on Social Media” dives into how current content moderation practices fail to meet the needs of 100M+ Kiswahili speakers.
Reposted by DeVan Hankerson Madrigal
Read the full letter: cdt.org/insights/let...
Letter from Meta Civil Rights Advisory Group Members on Grave Concerns with Content Policy Changes
[ PDF version] Dear Mr. Zuckerberg, As a group of external experts whom Meta has convened for years to advise on how its policies impact marginalized communities, we write to express our grave concern...
cdt.org
January 14, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Read the full letter: cdt.org/insights/let...
Reposted by DeVan Hankerson Madrigal
CDT is joined by the AAPD, AAAJ, @ourcommoncause.bsky.social, @glaad.bsky.social, @hrc.org, @lawyerscomm.bsky.social, Muslim Public Affairs Council, NAACP LDF, National Black Justice Coalition, @natfairhouse.bsky.social , National Urban League
January 14, 2025 at 6:01 PM
CDT is joined by the AAPD, AAAJ, @ourcommoncause.bsky.social, @glaad.bsky.social, @hrc.org, @lawyerscomm.bsky.social, Muslim Public Affairs Council, NAACP LDF, National Black Justice Coalition, @natfairhouse.bsky.social , National Urban League
Reposted by DeVan Hankerson Madrigal
Today, @cendemtech.bsky.social + partner orgs sent an open letter to Mark Zuckerberg expressing grave concerns about changes to Meta’s content moderation policies which threaten marginalized groups and undermine free expression. Here’s what you need to know: cdt.org/insights/let...
Letter from Meta Civil Rights Advisory Group Members on Grave Concerns with Content Policy Changes
[ PDF version] Dear Mr. Zuckerberg, As a group of external experts whom Meta has convened for years to advise on how its policies impact marginalized communities, we write to express our grave concern surrounding Meta’s recently announced content moderation policy changes. Meta’s changes will permit more dangerous and abusive content on its services and […]
cdt.org
January 14, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Today, @cendemtech.bsky.social + partner orgs sent an open letter to Mark Zuckerberg expressing grave concerns about changes to Meta’s content moderation policies which threaten marginalized groups and undermine free expression. Here’s what you need to know: cdt.org/insights/let...
Reposted by DeVan Hankerson Madrigal
The report also delves into privacy and human rights implications of these tools. Transparency, bias, and unintended impacts on users must be carefully managed. Read more on how platforms can enhance trust & safety responsibly: cdt.org/insights/rea... #SafeOnline #ChildOnlineSafety
Real Time Threats: Analysis of Trust and Safety Practices for Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (CSEA) Prevention on Livestreaming Platforms
This report is also authored by Robert Gorwa. [ PDF version ] Executive Summary In recent years, a range of new online services have emerged that facilitate the ‘livestreaming’ of real-time video and audio. Through these tools, users and content creators around the world can easily broadcast their activities to potentially large global audiences, facilitating […]
cdt.org
November 21, 2024 at 4:09 PM
The report also delves into privacy and human rights implications of these tools. Transparency, bias, and unintended impacts on users must be carefully managed. Read more on how platforms can enhance trust & safety responsibly: cdt.org/insights/rea... #SafeOnline #ChildOnlineSafety
Reposted by DeVan Hankerson Madrigal
Last week, CDT released a report that explores the impact of AI-powered hiring tools on disabled job applicants. Learn more about the risks, challenges, and recommendations for building fair and inclusive hiring systems. cdt.org/insights/scr...
Screened Out: The Impact of Digitized Hiring Assessments on Disabled Workers
This report is also authored by Henry Claypool and Wilneida Negrón. [ PDF version ] Companies have incorporated hiring technologies, including AI-powered assessments and other automated employment decision systems (AEDSs), into various stages of the hiring process across a wide range of industries. While proponents argue that these technologies can aid in identifying suitable candidates […]
cdt.org
November 25, 2024 at 4:30 PM
Last week, CDT released a report that explores the impact of AI-powered hiring tools on disabled job applicants. Learn more about the risks, challenges, and recommendations for building fair and inclusive hiring systems. cdt.org/insights/scr...
Reposted by DeVan Hankerson Madrigal
٣/ في هذا التقرير٬ نلقي الضوء علي التحديات المتعلقة بالإشراف علي المحتوي المتعلق بلغات الدول التي تقع في الجنوب. قد درسنا ايضا التحيزات التي اثرت علي مستخدمي وسائل التواصل الإجتماعي.
We dive into the challenges of moderating Global South languages & explore biases that impact users.
We dive into the challenges of moderating Global South languages & explore biases that impact users.
Moderating Maghrebi Arabic Content on Social Media
Introduction People express their deepest desires, emotions, and imaginative ideas through language. However, Global North languages, particularly English, dominate in knowledge-sharing and technology...
cdt.org
October 28, 2024 at 2:24 PM
٣/ في هذا التقرير٬ نلقي الضوء علي التحديات المتعلقة بالإشراف علي المحتوي المتعلق بلغات الدول التي تقع في الجنوب. قد درسنا ايضا التحيزات التي اثرت علي مستخدمي وسائل التواصل الإجتماعي.
We dive into the challenges of moderating Global South languages & explore biases that impact users.
We dive into the challenges of moderating Global South languages & explore biases that impact users.
Reposted by DeVan Hankerson Madrigal
٢/لقد تعاونا مع DigitalCitizenship وتلقينا دعم من ISOC Foundation حتي ننشر هذا التقرير
We worked in partnership with DigitalCitizenship and with support from ISOC Foundation, to release this report. cdt.org/insights/mod...
Moderating Maghrebi Arabic Content on Social Media
Introduction People express their deepest desires, emotions, and imaginative ideas through language. However, Global North languages, particularly English, dominate in knowledge-sharing and technology...
cdt.org
October 28, 2024 at 2:23 PM
٢/لقد تعاونا مع DigitalCitizenship وتلقينا دعم من ISOC Foundation حتي ننشر هذا التقرير
We worked in partnership with DigitalCitizenship and with support from ISOC Foundation, to release this report. cdt.org/insights/mod...
Reposted by DeVan Hankerson Madrigal
🚨NEW REPORT:🚨 We’re excited to announce the release of the Arabic language version of our report, “Moderating Maghrebi Arabic Content on Social Media.” cdt.org/insights/mod... #ContentModeration
Moderating Maghrebi Arabic Content on Social Media
Introduction People express their deepest desires, emotions, and imaginative ideas through language. However, Global North languages, particularly English, dominate in knowledge-sharing and technology...
cdt.org
October 28, 2024 at 2:21 PM
🚨NEW REPORT:🚨 We’re excited to announce the release of the Arabic language version of our report, “Moderating Maghrebi Arabic Content on Social Media.” cdt.org/insights/mod... #ContentModeration
Reposted by DeVan Hankerson Madrigal
🚨 تقرير جديد 🚨
١/يسعدنا ان نعلن عن نشر الترجمة العربية للتقرير " إدارة المحتوى
العربي المغاربي على وسائل التواصل الاجتماعي" #إشراف_المحتوي cdt.org/insights/mod...
١/يسعدنا ان نعلن عن نشر الترجمة العربية للتقرير " إدارة المحتوى
العربي المغاربي على وسائل التواصل الاجتماعي" #إشراف_المحتوي cdt.org/insights/mod...
Moderating Maghrebi Arabic Content on Social Media
Introduction People express their deepest desires, emotions, and imaginative ideas through language. However, Global North languages, particularly English, dominate in knowledge-sharing and technology...
cdt.org
October 28, 2024 at 2:21 PM
🚨 تقرير جديد 🚨
١/يسعدنا ان نعلن عن نشر الترجمة العربية للتقرير " إدارة المحتوى
العربي المغاربي على وسائل التواصل الاجتماعي" #إشراف_المحتوي cdt.org/insights/mod...
١/يسعدنا ان نعلن عن نشر الترجمة العربية للتقرير " إدارة المحتوى
العربي المغاربي على وسائل التواصل الاجتماعي" #إشراف_المحتوي cdt.org/insights/mod...
Reposted by DeVan Hankerson Madrigal
The lack of representation of Maghrebi Arabic speakers in developing automated moderation systems significantly reduces the accuracy and fairness of moderation decisions. Check out the report for more insights: cdt.org/insights/mod...
Moderating Maghrebi Arabic Content on Social Media
Introduction People express their deepest desires, emotions, and imaginative ideas through language. However, Global North languages, particularly English, dominate in knowledge-sharing and technology. This has led to the marginalization of, and inadequate support for, Global South languages in digital spaces, particularly in the realm of content moderation. Content moderation involves governance mechanisms that determine participation […]
cdt.org
September 27, 2024 at 1:48 PM
The lack of representation of Maghrebi Arabic speakers in developing automated moderation systems significantly reduces the accuracy and fairness of moderation decisions. Check out the report for more insights: cdt.org/insights/mod...
Reposted by DeVan Hankerson Madrigal
The report reveals that content moderators reviewing Arabic content are often assigned content from any country in the region regardless of their native dialect, leading to errors and inconsistencies in moderation. cdt.org/insights/mod...
Moderating Maghrebi Arabic Content on Social Media
Introduction People express their deepest desires, emotions, and imaginative ideas through language. However, Global North languages, particularly English, dominate in knowledge-sharing and technology. This has led to the marginalization of, and inadequate support for, Global South languages in digital spaces, particularly in the realm of content moderation. Content moderation involves governance mechanisms that determine participation […]
cdt.org
September 27, 2024 at 1:48 PM
The report reveals that content moderators reviewing Arabic content are often assigned content from any country in the region regardless of their native dialect, leading to errors and inconsistencies in moderation. cdt.org/insights/mod...
Reposted by DeVan Hankerson Madrigal
Our research, led by Mona Elswah, found that Maghrebi Arabic users use “algospeak” as a creative tactic to bypass moderation algorithms & users often mass report content to compensate for ineffective reporting mechanisms. cdt.org/insights/mod...
Moderating Maghrebi Arabic Content on Social Media
Introduction People express their deepest desires, emotions, and imaginative ideas through language. However, Global North languages, particularly English, dominate in knowledge-sharing and technology. This has led to the marginalization of, and inadequate support for, Global South languages in digital spaces, particularly in the realm of content moderation. Content moderation involves governance mechanisms that determine participation […]
cdt.org
September 27, 2024 at 1:48 PM
Our research, led by Mona Elswah, found that Maghrebi Arabic users use “algospeak” as a creative tactic to bypass moderation algorithms & users often mass report content to compensate for ineffective reporting mechanisms. cdt.org/insights/mod...