Working Group Ethics meet-up in Berlin – all about values

How can ethically responsible internet searches be organised? This question was at the centre of the three-day specialist group workshop in Berlin.

At the beginning of August, members of the OSF’ Ethics Expert Group from Germany, Austria, the UK, Denmark and Switzerland met in person for the first time in Berlin to take an in-depth look at the ethical aspects of internet searches. The Mercator Foundation, which supports the #EthicsInSearch project, provided a room with a view of Hackescher Markt, offering ideal conditions for direct dialogue.

For three days, one thing above all was on the agenda: asking questions, collecting perspectives, defining values.Which ethical principles are decisive for internet searches? In which process steps do they play a role? Which stakeholder groups are affected, and how? Particular attention was paid to the mechanisms of internet search and the development of an open web index.

The meeting was not only a success from a professional point of view, but also from an interpersonal point of view: the participants, who had previously only known each other online, worked together creatively and with commitment. Many thanks to all those who made the long journey!