Civil society organizations in East Asia that focus on democracy and cultural preservation need to understand decentralized technologies to ensure the safety of their communities and archives. On February 13, 2025, we gathered online and in Chiang Mai, Thailand, for an insightful webinar on the crucial role of decentralized storage in high-censorship environments. This event, co-hosted by TechSoup and Digi-CNX, with support from the Filecoin Foundation for the Decentralized Web, aimed to equip participants with the knowledge necessary to navigate the complexities of digital preservation in challenging settings. We were thrilled to feature Adam Rose, COO of Starling Lab, as our main presenter.
The Significance of Decentralized Storage
The webinar commenced with an introduction by Dev Lewis from Digi-CNX, highlighting the co-host organizations' initiatives in digital rights and technological impact on society.
Cultural Memory Lab: A Resource for Archivists
Eli introduced the Cultural Memory Lab, a project designed to help archivists embrace frontier technologies like decentralized storage. This lab offers courses, mentorship, and micro-grants to empower organizations to pilot decentralized archival projects. Through this, nonprofits can explore how decentralized storage might improve the sustainability and security of their collections.
Adam Rose: Lessons from the Basics of Decentralized Technologies
Adam Rose took over to delve into the fundamentals of decentralized technologies, drawing on his extensive experience in journalism and archival work. He stressed the importance of understanding the basics, likening it to learning the rules of the road in driving. Without a solid grasp of foundational principles, mistakes in high-censorship environments can have significant consequences.
Starling Lab's Mission
Adam shared Starling Lab's mission to authenticate and preserve digital data through a lifecycle approach—capture, store, verify. This strategy has been recognized by the United Nations for documenting war crimes. The lab collaborates with journalism, legal, and historical institutions, emphasizing the need for robust digital security.
The Role of Cryptography and Decentralized Storage
The discussion moved to the technical aspects of cryptography and how decentralized storage can mitigate risks faced by centralized systems. Adam explained the concepts of hashing, blockchain, and content addressing, offering insights into how these technologies enhance the resilience and integrity of data.
Case Study: Preserving Truth with Rolling Stone
Highlighting practical applications, Adam shared Starling Lab's collaboration with Rolling Stone on a war crimes investigation involving historical photographs. By employing cryptographic methods and decentralized networks, they preserved and authenticated evidence, reinforcing the importance of maintaining the integrity of historical records.
Ethical Considerations in Decentralized Technologies
As Adam concluded, he urged participants to consider the ethical dimensions of technology, stressing that while cryptography and decentralized systems offer solutions, they also bring dilemmas. He recommended exploring resources like the Witness report, "Ticks or It Didn't Happen," to understand these complexities.
Conclusion and Resources
The session wrapped up with a Q\&A, offering practical advice for those working in sensitive or high-risk environments. Adam and the hosts encouraged attendees to explore decentralized storage solutions like IPFS, Filecoin, Arweave, and Storj, while being mindful of the ethical and legal implications.
As we focus on preserving cultural memory and evidentiary materials in the face of censorship, the insights shared in this webinar underscore the transformative potential of decentralized technologies. By leveraging these tools, communities around the world can safeguard their histories and continue their vital work, navigating the digital landscape with greater security and efficiency.
Thank you for joining us in this critical conversation on decentralized storage for high-censorship environments. Together, we can build a more resilient and equitable digital future.