News from Home (& Beyond): Take it Back - Digital Self-Determination in 2026

This series aims to provide the student community at BCB with a platform to share and learn about diverse political issues in the form of informative presentations and discussions given by their own peers.

May 5: Take it Back - Digital Self-Determination in 2026

No question about it: Big Tech has become a big problem – politically, socially, environmentally. But what do we mean when we talk about “Big Tech”, why exactly is it problematic? What is “Free and Open Source Software” (FOSS) and why is it more sustainable and empowering for users? How can we transition to these alternative tools in our daily lives and/or make more space for analogue approaches? In a short presentation, we’ll offer some fresh perspectives on the subject, then open up the discussion to hear about your experiences, address your questions, demonstrate alternative tools and offer practical tips for making the switch. Topics could include: alternative social networks, messengers, word processing tools, video conferencing, operating systems (Linux), etc.; AI; the vision of (European) “digital sovereignty”; and much more. If there are any issues you’re especially interested in, feel free to let us know ahead of time so we can prepare accordingly!

Guest presenters:

• Joseph P. De Veaugh-Geiss, Project and Community Manager at KDE Eco (green open-source software)
• Isabel Fargo Cole, writer, translator and organizer of the “Stammtisch TechMündigkeit für Wortmenschen”

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Time: 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm CET/GMT+1

Location: P98 SR2

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