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In this episode, I talk with Samm Sacks. She is a Cybersecurity Policy and China Digital Economy Fellow at New America. Her research focuses on emerging information and communication technology (ICT) policies globally, particularly in China. She has worked on Chinese technology policy issues for over a decade, both with the U.S. government and in the private sector. She recently testified before Congress on data security issues between the US and China. In this podcast we discuss: Why data flows matter Does the China government have access to all data in China How Chinese companies push back on data requests Are US tech firms helping the Chinese government? The right approach for the US dealing with China tech/data issues US companies need to manage US data better too EU is creating global standards EU is pushing back on US accessing European data Will US election impact US-China tech war?
When you're working in the tech sector, China is one of the most difficult challenges you face: with over a billion residents, there's so much economic potential, but there are also so many challenges to face in the Chinese market. It's a difficult place to do business. When you're facing these types of challenges, you need a guide to help navigate them. Samm Sacks was Matt's guide during his time at Facebook, which is why we've asked her to come on the podcast. Together, Matt and Samm discuss China and technology, what the NBA can learn from tech companies' experiences in China, and women in the tech sector. Samm Sacks is a Cybersecurity Policy and China Digital Economy Fellow at New America. Her research focuses on emerging information and communication technology (ICT) policies globally, particularly in China. She has worked on Chinese technology policy issues for over a decade, both with the U.S. government and in the private sector. Matt’s article in Lawfare: Doing Business in China, What the NBA Can Learn from Big Tech
Samm Sacks, a Cybersecurity Policy and China Digital Economy Fellow at New America, speaks with Kaiser on Huawei’s nebulous role in the U.S.-China trade war, Beijing’s long march to technological self-reliance, and the growing U.S. Commerce Department Entity List. This episode was recorded live at the Columbia China and the World Forum 2019, on September 28, 2019, at Columbia University. 4:12: Trading Huawei for soybeans11:24: The growing Entity List22:16: Beijing’s retaliation 25:09: Silicon Valley’s varying views27:21: Censorship on TikTok and Bytedance Recommendations:Samm: Novels by Irish millennial Sally Rooney, for her ability to invoke emotions you didn’t know you had.Kaiser: Guitar nerd galore. Effects pedals by brand Mooer — the Radar Speaker CAB Simulator, and the overdrive pedal called the Hustle Drive — as well as the JAM BUDDY by JOYO.
This week’s episode of Ta for Ta features Samm Sacks, a Cybersecurity Policy and China Digital Economy Fellow at New America, where her research focuses on emerging information and communication technology policies, especially as they relate to China. Samm leads New America’s DigiChina Data Governance Project, which produces analysis of developments related to data privacy and security, artificial intelligence, and data governance. In this episode, Samm reflects on her (sometimes indirect) career path and strategies for thriving in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Samm also recounts her experiences offering testimony on data governance issues before the U.S. Congress, and her concerns about the future of U.S.-China relations in this complex and constantly evolving field. Follow Ta for Ta on Twitter here, and please rate and leave a review on iTunes.
This week’s episode of Ta for Ta features Samm Sacks, a Cybersecurity Policy and China Digital Economy Fellow at New America, where her research focuses on emerging information and communication technology policies, especially as they relate to China. Samm leads New America’s DigiChina Data Governance Project, which produces analysis of developments related to data privacy and security, artificial intelligence, and data governance. In this episode, Samm reflects on her (sometimes indirect) career path and strategies for thriving in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Samm also recounts her experiences offering testimony on data governance issues before the U.S. Congress, and her concerns about the future of U.S.-China relations in this complex and constantly evolving field. Follow Ta for Ta on Twitter here, and please rate and leave a review on iTunes.
This live Sinica Podcast recorded in New York on March 6 features Samm Sacks, Cybersecurity Policy and China Digital Economy Fellow at New America. She and Kaiser Kuo discuss the many facets of U.S.-China technology integration and competition, touching on topics such as data security, artificial intelligence, and how to build “a small yard with a high fence.” What to listen for on this week’s Sinica Podcast: 11:04: Decoupling is a theme that has defined one of the more extreme potential outcomes of the fraying U.S.-China relationship. Are these conversations prevalent outside of Washington? What about the Silicon Valley tech community? Samm addresses these questions here, among others: “The reality is when we think about technology development, whether it’s joint research, supply chains, collaboration of sciences — these things don’t really map nicely onto political borders. And these are really diffuse networks that, when you try to decouple [them], there’s just a disconnect here.” 21:13: What is the relationship between technology companies and the Communist Party? What impact does China’s Cybersecurity and National Intelligence Law have on the companies’ supposed obligations to cooperate with authorities on sharing private data? When two passengers using Didi, a popular ride-share service in China, were killed, the company cooperated reluctantly, resulting in a bizarre legal limbo. Samm explains: “Chinese legal scholars were saying, wait a second, if Didi is to fall in line on this data-sharing agreement, that’s a violation of China’s Cybersecurity Law, because the Cybersecurity Law has a framework around the conditions where data is collected and shared. So again I think there’s a lot more churn than people understand.” 27:46: What is important data? China’s Cybersecurity Law has outlined broad data localization requirements. Does the government have the ability (or capability) to review the huge amounts of data going in and out of the country? Samm points out: “One of the outcomes I would look for if we were to see the so-called structural issues on the tech side, one would be is the Chinese government going to agree to allow more kinds of commercial data out of the country without these arduous security audits?” 34:41: Is China deliberately exporting its model of censorship to governments and countries throughout the world? What of the future of domestic surveillance in China? Who is discussing the ethical and legal implications of artificial intelligence being brought into everyday life and society, and where? Samm attended a Track 2 dialogue between Berkeley Law and Beijing University Law and discusses the conversations in the academic world regarding algorithmic bias, and contesting decisions made by artificial intelligence here. 40:58: Samm elaborates on the concept of “small yard and high fence.” What are some actionable items in the technological tussle unfolding between Washington and Beijing? She provides her guiding principle: “Having a constructive bilateral trade and investment relationship with China, particularly with technology, is in the interest of the United States. And we cannot take an approach that is going to use blanket bans and discrimination based on national origin. We need to use tools like law enforcement as the scalpel they were intended to be because of the integration of our two systems. Otherwise, we end up shooting ourselves in the foot.” Recommendations: Kaiser: Seeing Like a State: How Certain Schemes to Improve the Human Condition Have Failed, by James C. Scott. Samm: Catastrophe, a British sitcom available on Prime Video.
This week, Matthew Fochs sits down with Paul Triolo. Paul is a China Digital Economy Fellow at New America focusing on global technology policy issues, cyber-security, internet governance, ICT regulatory issues, and emerging areas such as automation, AI/Big Data, ambient intelligence, and fintech. While the relationship between the US and China has a long history of tension, recent actions by the governments of both counties has brought those tensions to a new pinnacle. Matthew Fochs had the chance to sit down with Paul in late November as the world braced for the G20 summit in Buenos Aires and the looming new trade tariffs between the US and China set to take hold on January 1. However, before they get to that elephant in the room, Paul talks about the “Made in China 2025” initiative, recent cybersecurity and IP theft, one of the hot button topics during the 2016 Presidential Election – the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), and the current administration’s actions towards China Technology company, ZTE.