# Counter ⚡ Interfaces **Round of Introductions!** :hourglass_flowing_sand: 15 min About the workshop facilitator: *Joana Chicau* is a graphic designer, coder, researcher — with a background in dance. More info + latest projects on [my website;](https://joanachicau.com/) ## Mapping Everyday Tech 📍 📱 ✨ ### Mapping Online Presence :hourglass_flowing_sand: 10 min * create a list of the online services and apps you use day-to-day, for eg.: * social media ◆ news ◆ chats ◆ email ◆ transit apps ◆ maps ◆ shopping ◆ banking ◆ search engine ◆ council or goverment websites... * How many times a day do you use those apps/ websites? * Add a colourful dot per each time you use it. ### Mapping Our Data :hourglass_flowing_sand: 10 min * Choose the two websites or apps you use the most day-to-day. * **What data is being collected?** What information is being asked from you? * For eg.: your date of birth ◆ your location ◆ your address ◆ your phone number ◆ the size of your underwear... :hourglass_flowing_sand: 10 min **🗫 Discussion** * Have you ever thought about what data is shared through these apps and online services? * How do you feel this data represents you or not? ![](https://i.imgur.com/KzTNBa5.png) Image Source [Tactical Tech](https://tacticaltech.org/projects/data-you/) ## Break ⏰ 10min ## Online Tracking 🐾 🔍 :hourglass_flowing_sand: 10 min > Have you ever read a newspaper and noticed a stranger reading it over your shoulder? Reading the news online is like having Google, Facebook, or Twitter doing the same thing. Known as "third party trackers", these companies collect data about who you are, what you’re reading and what you’re interested in, usually without you ever knowing it. > Data about our device and online behaviour enables companies to link our likes and interests directly to us and to create profiles about us, which are then subsequently sold to advertisers. **How does online tracking work?** > Most websites include embedded images and code which come from the domains and servers of third party companies. These companies are able to track us through the use of cookies and other technologies which collect different pieces of information about us. > For eg.: While we might only intend on connecting to cnn.com, in reality we are also connecting to the servers of at least nine additional (tracking) companies. **Why are we being tracked?** > Online tracking is part of a larger industry which makes a profit out of our data. (...) Advertising is the default business model of the internet. (...) Companies track users' access to websites because they engage in (one or more of) the following: * Profiling * Advertising * Market research * Web analytics * Web crawling >Many of these companies argue that they track individuals' access to websites so that they can improve the services that they provide. Companies in the advertising business aim to understand their audience as much as possible so that they can provide targeted advertisements. [Source Tactical Tech | Continue Reading](https://ourdataourselves.tacticaltech.org/posts/trackography/) ### Tracking Choreographies ![](https://i.imgur.com/oxfyPAX.png) :hourglass_flowing_sand: 10 min * **Exercise 01** * In pairs, one person will be 'the mover' the other 'the observer' *(you will swap roles later)*; :hourglass_flowing_sand: 10 min * **Exercise 02** * Everyone starts walking slowly in the space.. follow the instructions given. :hourglass_flowing_sand: 10 min **🗫 Discussion** * How was your experience participating in these movement exercises? * What connections do you see between online tracking and these exercises? **Data Tracking ► Profiling** > Individual profiling can raise various types of concerns. Imagine not being able to get a bank loan because your bank has bought data about you which shows that you are an "unreliable customer". Or imagine your insurance company classifying you as someone with "risky behaviour" due to the fact that your browsing activities show that you have an interest in extreme sports. Or even worse, imagine law enforcement agencies knocking on your door because you "read too much" anarchist material online. > Group profiling can be equally problematic and can raise concerns for societies at large. Sociologist David Lyon argues that profiling is a powerful means of creating and reinforcing long-term social differences. Research has shown that clustering data about groups can lead to social stratification and discrimination, which is reinforced by an entire data brokerage industry that operates behind the scenes. [Source Tactical Tech | Continue Reading](https://ourdataourselves.tacticaltech.org/posts/trackography/) ## Break ⏰ 10min ## Counter Interfaces ⚡ 🖥️ ⚡ ### STEP 1 :hourglass_flowing_sand: 15 min * In groups choose one of the platforms from your 'everyday map' (that can be accessed from a laptop); * Take notes: * analyse the interface: how do you navigate it? * what personal data does it capture? * Take a few screenshots of the interface and share them. ### STEP 2 :hourglass_flowing_sand: 15 min * Introduction to the Web Console * if in Firefox: on the top menu of the browser select "Tools" > "Web Developer" > "Web Console"; * if in Chrome: on the top menu of the browser select "View" > "Developer" > "Developer Tools"; * Choose a textual element or image to manipulate in some way you would like, for eg.: change the colour, size,... * you can also right click an HTML element and select 'inspect'; ### STEP 3 :hourglass_flowing_sand: 30 min * Define your 'counter—' actions to the interface, for eg.: * **repeat** elements; * **substitute** elements; * **remove** elements; * **add** elements; * change the **scale** (eg.: augment or minimise parts that make you feel uncomfortable) * Give your 'Counter —' action a name. Take a few screenshots of the interface and share them. ### STEP 4 * How would your 'Counter —' action look like if it was a movement? ## Feedback & Discussion 🗫 🦜 :hourglass_flowing_sand: 10 min * Feedback, **please answer this [questionnaire]() 🙏** ### Counter—Choreographies 🐬💦 🏄‍♀️🏄🏾‍♀️ :hourglass_flowing_sand: 15 min * Round of presentations and discussion.