The past year has brought new attention to the use of digital open source research methodologies for strengthening fact-finding related to world events--ranging from attacks on the U.S. Capitol on January 6 to violence against the Rohingya in Myanmar.

On December 1, the Human Rights Center (University of California, Berkeley School of Law) and the United Nations Human Rights Office launched the Berkeley Protocol on Digital Open Source Investigations to set international standards for the use and analysis of online content--including social media posts--for research, reporting, and investigations. This panel will discuss the protocol's contents, its drafting process, and the ethical and logistical challenges and opportunities that underlie this rapidly-expanding field of practice.

Speakers:

• John Scott-Railton (Moderator), Senior Researcher, The Citizen Lab, Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, University of Toronto

• Alexa Koenig, Executive Director, Human Rights Center, University of California, Berkeley School of Law

• Lindsay Freeman, Director of Law and Policy, Tech and Human Rights Program, Human Rights Center, University of California, Berkeley School of Law

• Enrique Piracés, Director, Technology Program, Center for Human Rights Science at Carnegie Mellon University