Chat Control: Mass Screenings, Massive Dangers - FireShonks 2023

Explore the critical analysis of mass screening programs for low-prevalence problems (MaSLoPPs) in this 58-minute conference talk from the 37th Chaos Communication Congress. Delve into the statistical and social implications of initiatives like "Chat Control," designed to flag potential child sexual abuse material in digital communications. Examine how high accuracy rates can be misleading when applied to entire populations, leading to significant numbers of false positives. Investigate the base rate fallacy and its impact on the efficacy of such programs. Consider the broader applications of this analysis across various domains, including healthcare, education, and digital platform content moderation. Learn about proposed system-level solutions, including evidence-based policymaking and the need for independent review. Reflect on the tension between democratic participation and expertise in addressing complex societal issues, and the potential for well-intentioned interventions to result in net harm under certain conditions.