Projects
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Information, Communication & the Data Society (ICDS)
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Personalised News – Implications for the democratic role of the digital media, user rights and public information policy
European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant
Activities
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Testlijnmedewerkers kunnen bij persoonsgegevens, ook als dat niet mag
Commentaar in Nieuwsuur
16-09-2020
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Podcast Sarah Eskens: ‘Ik probeer soms expres het algoritme in de war te brengen’
Folia.nl
30-10-2019
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2019 Annual Privacy Law Scholars Conference (PLSC 2019)
30-05-2019
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Discussion with Helen Nissenbaum: How should we think about obfuscation?
Spui 25
11-10-2017
Sarah Eskens
Sarah Eskens, LLM, started as a PhD Candidate at the Institute for Information Law in March 2016. She studies how news personalization affects the fundamental information and privacy rights of news consumers. From November 2018 to April 2019, Sarah was a visiting researcher at the Centre for Intellectual Property Law and Information Law, University of Cambridge, UK.
Before starting the PhD, Sarah completed the Research Master’s in Information Law at the Institute for Information Law. During the master, she studied a semester at Cardozo Law School in New York and did a research internship at the Rathenau Instituut, in a joint project with the Consulate General of the Netherlands in San Francisco.
Publications
Eskens, S., Mil, J. van Opinie: Doorsturen telecomdata naar RIVM vereist een beter verhaal Het Financieele Dagblad, 2020. @article{Eskens2020c, title = {Opinie: Doorsturen telecomdata naar RIVM vereist een beter verhaal}, author = {Eskens, S. and Mil, J. van}, url = {https://fd.nl/opinie/1356879/doorsturen-telecomdata-naar-rivm-vereist-een-beter-verhaal}, year = {2020}, date = {2020-09-12}, journal = {Het Financieele Dagblad}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } |
Eskens, S., Helberger, N. Opinie: corona-app vraagt om meer toezicht op grote techbedrijven De Volkskrant, 2020. @article{Helberger2020g, title = {Opinie: corona-app vraagt om meer toezicht op grote techbedrijven}, author = {Helberger, N. and Eskens, S.}, url = {https://www.volkskrant.nl/columns-opinie/opinie-corona-app-vraagt-om-meer-toezicht-op-grote-techbedrijven~b6898138/}, year = {2020}, date = {2020-09-10}, journal = {De Volkskrant}, abstract = {Er is te weinig aandacht voor de rol van Google en Apple bij de invoering van de CoronaMelder, betogen Natali Helberger en Sarah Eskens.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Er is te weinig aandacht voor de rol van Google en Apple bij de invoering van de CoronaMelder, betogen Natali Helberger en Sarah Eskens. |
Eskens, S. Opinie: De wettelijke mogelijkheden voor online proctoring door universiteiten zijn zeer beperkt Tijdschrift voor Internetrecht, (4), pp. 141-143, 2020. @article{Eskens2020b, title = {Opinie: De wettelijke mogelijkheden voor online proctoring door universiteiten zijn zeer beperkt}, author = {Eskens, S.}, url = {https://www.ivir.nl/publicaties/download/TvI_2020_4.pdf}, year = {2020}, date = {2020-08-27}, journal = {Tijdschrift voor Internetrecht}, number = {4}, pages = {141-143}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } |
Eskens, S., Helberger, N., Möller, J., Monzer, C. User Perspectives on the News Personalisation Process: Agency, Trust and Utility as Building Blocks Digital Journalism, 8 (9), pp. 1142-1162, 2020. @article{Monzer2020, title = {User Perspectives on the News Personalisation Process: Agency, Trust and Utility as Building Blocks}, author = {Monzer, C. and M\"{o}ller, J. and Helberger, N. and Eskens, S.}, url = {https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21670811.2020.1773291}, doi = {10.1080/21670811.2020.1773291}, year = {2020}, date = {2020-06-16}, journal = {Digital Journalism}, volume = {8}, number = {9}, pages = {1142-1162}, abstract = {With the increasing use of algorithms in news distribution, commentators warn about its possible impacts on the changing relationship between the news media and news readers. To understand the meaning of news personalisation strategies to users, we investigated how they currently experience news personalisation, perceive their role in the personalisation process, and envision increasing the utility of personalised news by giving users more agency and fostering trust. We conducted four focus groups with online news readers in Germany. For the analysis, grounded theory techniques were suitable due to their applicability in reconstructing user perspectives through their own experiences. We found that (1) users fail to distinguish between news personalisation and commercial targeting, which may negatively bias their perception; (2) there is a contradiction in how users perceive themselves as active participants in the process, but lack the means to exercise agency; (3) user concerns extend beyond privacy to what information they receive and their right to personal autonomy\textemdasha solution requires offering users the ability to dynamically adjust their “news interest profiles”; (4) while news personalisation strategies afford new opportunities for introducing reciprocity in the media-audience relationship, negotiating competing logics of journalistic, personal and algorithmic curation remains a challenge.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } With the increasing use of algorithms in news distribution, commentators warn about its possible impacts on the changing relationship between the news media and news readers. To understand the meaning of news personalisation strategies to users, we investigated how they currently experience news personalisation, perceive their role in the personalisation process, and envision increasing the utility of personalised news by giving users more agency and fostering trust. We conducted four focus groups with online news readers in Germany. For the analysis, grounded theory techniques were suitable due to their applicability in reconstructing user perspectives through their own experiences. We found that (1) users fail to distinguish between news personalisation and commercial targeting, which may negatively bias their perception; (2) there is a contradiction in how users perceive themselves as active participants in the process, but lack the means to exercise agency; (3) user concerns extend beyond privacy to what information they receive and their right to personal autonomy—a solution requires offering users the ability to dynamically adjust their “news interest profiles”; (4) while news personalisation strategies afford new opportunities for introducing reciprocity in the media-audience relationship, negotiating competing logics of journalistic, personal and algorithmic curation remains a challenge. |
Eskens, S. JASIST, 71 (9), pp. 1116-1128, 2020. @article{Eskens2020, title = {The personal information sphere: An integral approach to privacy and related information and communication rights}, author = {Eskens, S.}, url = {https://www.ivir.nl/publicaties/download/jasist_2020.pdf}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1002/asi.24354}, year = {2020}, date = {2020-03-20}, journal = {JASIST}, volume = {71}, number = {9}, pages = {1116-1128}, abstract = {Data protection laws, including the European Union General Data Protection Regulation, regulate aspects of online personalization. However, the data protection lens is too narrow to analyze personalization. To define conditions for personalization, we should understand data protection in its larger fundamental rights context, starting with the closely connected right to privacy. If the right to privacy is considered along with other European fundamental rights that protect information and communication flows, namely, communications confidentiality; the right to receive information; and freedom of expression, opinion, and thought, these rights are observed to enable what I call a “personal information sphere” for each person. This notion highlights how privacy interferences affect other fundamental rights. The personal information sphere is grounded in European case law and is thus not just an academic affair. The essence of the personal information sphere is control, yet with a different meaning than mere control as guaranteed by data protection law. The personal information sphere is about people controlling how they situate themselves in information and communication networks. It follows that, to respect privacy and related rights, online personalization providers should actively involve users in the personalization process and enable them to use personalization for personal goals.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Data protection laws, including the European Union General Data Protection Regulation, regulate aspects of online personalization. However, the data protection lens is too narrow to analyze personalization. To define conditions for personalization, we should understand data protection in its larger fundamental rights context, starting with the closely connected right to privacy. If the right to privacy is considered along with other European fundamental rights that protect information and communication flows, namely, communications confidentiality; the right to receive information; and freedom of expression, opinion, and thought, these rights are observed to enable what I call a “personal information sphere” for each person. This notion highlights how privacy interferences affect other fundamental rights. The personal information sphere is grounded in European case law and is thus not just an academic affair. The essence of the personal information sphere is control, yet with a different meaning than mere control as guaranteed by data protection law. The personal information sphere is about people controlling how they situate themselves in information and communication networks. It follows that, to respect privacy and related rights, online personalization providers should actively involve users in the personalization process and enable them to use personalization for personal goals. |
Bastian, M., Drunen, M. van, Eskens, S., Helberger, N., Möller, J. Implications of AI-driven tools in the media for freedom of expression 2020, (Council of Europe, September 2019). @techreport{Helberger2020, title = {Implications of AI-driven tools in the media for freedom of expression}, author = {Helberger, N. and Eskens, S. and Drunen, M. van and Bastian, M. and M\"{o}ller, J.}, url = {https://www.ivir.nl/publicaties/download/AI-and-Freedom-of-Expression.pdf}, year = {2020}, date = {2020-03-05}, publisher = {Council of Europe, September 2019}, abstract = {Background Paper to the Ministerial Conference "Artificial Intelligence - Intelligent Politics: Challenges and opportunities for media and democracy, Cyprus, 28-29 May 2020."}, note = {Council of Europe, September 2019}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {techreport} } Background Paper to the Ministerial Conference "Artificial Intelligence - Intelligent Politics: Challenges and opportunities for media and democracy, Cyprus, 28-29 May 2020." |
Bodó, B., Eskens, S., Helberger, N., Möller, J. Digital Journalism, 7 (2), pp. 206-229, 2019. @article{Bod\'{o}2019, title = {Interested in diversity: The role of user attitudes, algorithmic feedback loops, and policy in news personalization}, author = {Bod\'{o}, B. and Helberger, N. and Eskens, S. and M\"{o}ller, J.}, url = {https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21670811.2018.1521292}, doi = {10.1080/21670811.2018.1521292}, year = {2019}, date = {2019-01-08}, journal = {Digital Journalism}, volume = {7}, number = {2}, pages = {206-229}, abstract = {Using survey evidence from the Netherlands, we explore the factors that influence news readers’ attitudes toward news personalization. We show that the value of personalization depends on commonly overlooked factors, such as concerns about a shared news sphere, and the diversity of recommendations. However, these expectations are not universal. Younger, less educated users are more exposed to personalized news and show little concern about diverse news recommendations. Quality news organizations that pursue reader loyalty and trust are incentivized to implement personalization algorithms that aim for diversity and high quality recommendations. However, some users are in danger of being left out of this positive feedback loop. We make specific policy suggestions regarding how to solve that issue.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Using survey evidence from the Netherlands, we explore the factors that influence news readers’ attitudes toward news personalization. We show that the value of personalization depends on commonly overlooked factors, such as concerns about a shared news sphere, and the diversity of recommendations. However, these expectations are not universal. Younger, less educated users are more exposed to personalized news and show little concern about diverse news recommendations. Quality news organizations that pursue reader loyalty and trust are incentivized to implement personalization algorithms that aim for diversity and high quality recommendations. However, some users are in danger of being left out of this positive feedback loop. We make specific policy suggestions regarding how to solve that issue. |
Eskens, S., Helberger, N., Möller, J. Challenged by news personalisation: five perspectives on the right to receive information Journal of Media Law, 9 (2), pp. 259-284, 2017. @article{Eskens2017, title = {Challenged by news personalisation: five perspectives on the right to receive information}, author = {Eskens, S. and Helberger, N. and M\"{o}ller, J.}, url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17577632.2017.1387353}, year = {2017}, date = {2017-11-07}, journal = {Journal of Media Law}, volume = {9}, number = {2}, pages = {259-284}, abstract = {This research asks what the right to receive information means for personalised news consumers and the obligations this rights imposes on states. We develop a framework to understand the right to receive information, starting from case law of the European Court of Human Rights. On this basis, we identify five perspectives on the right to receive information: political debate, truth finding, social cohesion, avoidance of censorship and self-development. We evaluate how these five perspectives inform a legal and policy analysis of news personalisation. }, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } This research asks what the right to receive information means for personalised news consumers and the obligations this rights imposes on states. We develop a framework to understand the right to receive information, starting from case law of the European Court of Human Rights. On this basis, we identify five perspectives on the right to receive information: political debate, truth finding, social cohesion, avoidance of censorship and self-development. We evaluate how these five perspectives inform a legal and policy analysis of news personalisation. |
Eskens, S., van Daalen, O., van Eijk, N. Geheime surveillance en opsporing: Richtsnoeren voor de inrichting van wetgeving Instituut voor Informatierecht 2016. @techreport{Eskens2016b, title = {Geheime surveillance en opsporing: Richtsnoeren voor de inrichting van wetgeving}, author = {Eskens, S. and van Daalen, O. and van Eijk, N.}, url = {http://www.ivir.nl/publicaties/download/Geheime-surveillance-en-opsporing.pdf}, year = {2016}, date = {2016-11-22}, institution = {Instituut voor Informatierecht}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {techreport} } |
Bodó, B., Eskens, S., Helberger, N., Möller, J., Trilling, D., Vreese, C.H. de, Zuiderveen Borgesius, F. Algoritmische verzuiling en filter bubbles: een bedreiging voor de democratie? Computerrecht, 2016 (5), pp. 255-262, 2016. @article{Borgesius2016b, title = {Algoritmische verzuiling en filter bubbles: een bedreiging voor de democratie?}, author = {Zuiderveen Borgesius, F. and Trilling, D. and M\"{o}ller, J. and Eskens, S. and Bod\'{o}, B. and Vreese, C.H. de and Helberger, N.}, url = {https://www.ivir.nl/publicaties/download/Computerrecht_2016_5.pdf}, year = {2016}, date = {2016-10-03}, journal = {Computerrecht}, volume = {2016}, number = {5}, pages = {255-262}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } |
Eskens, S., van Daalen, O., van Eijk, N. 10 Standards for Oversight and Transparency of National Intelligence Services Journal of National Security Law & Policy, 8 (3), pp. 553-594, 2016. @article{Eskens2016, title = {10 Standards for Oversight and Transparency of National Intelligence Services}, author = {Eskens, S. and van Daalen, O. and van Eijk, N.}, url = {http://jnslp.com/2016/07/25/10-standards-oversight-transparency-national-intelligence-services/ https://www.ivir.nl/publicaties/download/JNSLP_2016_3.pdf}, year = {2016}, date = {2016-09-15}, journal = {Journal of National Security Law & Policy}, volume = {8}, number = {3}, pages = {553-594}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } |
Eskens, S. Annotatie bij EHRM 4 december 2015 (Roman Zakharov/Rusland) Computerrecht, 2016 (3), pp. 178-189, 2016. @article{, title = {Annotatie bij EHRM 4 december 2015 (Roman Zakharov/Rusland)}, author = {Eskens, S.}, url = {http://www.ivir.nl/publicaties/download/1801}, year = {2016}, date = {2016-07-01}, journal = {Computerrecht}, volume = {2016}, number = {3}, pages = {178-189}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } |
Eskens, S. Netherlands: New Notification Obligations and Fines under the Dutch Data Protection Act European Data Protection Law Review, 2 (2), pp. 224-226, 2016. @article{, title = {Netherlands: New Notification Obligations and Fines under the Dutch Data Protection Act}, author = {Eskens, S.}, url = {http://edpl.lexxion.eu/article/EDPL/2016/2/12}, year = {2016}, date = {2016-07-01}, journal = {European Data Protection Law Review}, volume = {2}, number = {2}, pages = {224-226}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } |
Eskens, S., Kool, L., Timmer, J., Van Est, R. Rathenau Instituut 2016. @techreport{, title = {Beyond control: Exploratory study on the discourse in Silicon Valley about consumer privacy in the Internet of Things}, author = {Eskens, S. and Timmer, J. and Kool, L. and Van Est, R.}, url = {http://www.ivir.nl/publicaties/download/1780}, year = {2016}, date = {2016-05-26}, institution = {Rathenau Instituut}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {techreport} } |
Eskens, S. University of Amsterdam, 2016. @mastersthesis{, title = {Profiling the European Citizen in the Internet of Things: How Will the General Data Protection Regulation Apply to this Form of Personal Data Processing, and How Should It?}, author = {Eskens, S. }, url = {http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2752010}, year = {2016}, date = {2016-03-29}, school = {University of Amsterdam}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {mastersthesis} } |
Eskens, S., van Daalen, O., van Eijk, N. Ten standards for oversight and transparency of national intelligence services Instituut voor Informatierecht 2015. @techreport{, title = {Ten standards for oversight and transparency of national intelligence services}, author = {Eskens, S. and van Daalen, O. and van Eijk, N.}, url = {http://www.ivir.nl/publicaties/download/1591.pdf}, year = {2015}, date = {2015-07-23}, institution = {Instituut voor Informatierecht}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {techreport} } |
Eskens, S. Computerrecht, 2015 (3), pp. 125-131, 2015. @article{, title = {Ongerichte interceptie, of het verwerven van bulk-communicatie, en waarom de Grondwet en het EVRM onvoldoende tegenwicht bieden}, author = {Eskens, S.}, url = {https://www.ivir.nl/eskens_computerrecht2015/}, year = {2015}, date = {2015-05-22}, journal = {Computerrecht}, volume = {2015}, number = {3}, pages = {125-131}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } |
Eskens, S., Granger, M.-P., Irion, K. Mediaforum, 27 (3), pp. 112-118, 2015. @article{, title = {Annotatie bij Hof van Justitie EU 8 april 2014 (Digital Rights Ireland / Ierse Ministers en Attorney General)}, author = {Irion, K. and Granger, M.-P. and Eskens, S.}, url = {http://www.ivir.nl/publicaties/download/1539.pdf}, year = {2015}, date = {2015-04-17}, journal = {Mediaforum}, volume = {27}, number = {3}, pages = {112-118}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } |