CHALLENGES FOR UPGRADING SOCIAL AND TECHNICAL PARTICIPATION IN THE REGULATION OF THE NEW DIGITAL ECOSYSTEM

The paper analyses the social and technical participation in upcoming technologies in the new digital ecosystem. The first section describes how the Brazilian National Telecommunications Agency is an excellent example of the subject. The second section criticizes the concept of social control using the current literature. The intermediary conclusion is that the social and technical participation concept is more suitable than social control. The third section brings data to base a theoretical debate. It indicates that qualitative analysis is essential to assess the effectiveness of public consultations. The subject demands more than quantifying. The fourth section has four suggestions to improve social and technical participation that might benefit all regulatory bodies. The article concludes that some improvement will be necessary to address the current scenario of uncertainties and instabilities. Regulating future technologies will require realigning both public policies and the law.