Telecommunications and Technology
As access to technology transitions from being a benefit to an absolute necessity in our everyday lives, understanding the telecommunications- and technology-related needs of our diverse community becomes increasingly important. While digital innovation continues to be a boon for Asian Americans, it also represents a potential source of mischief and real-world harm. Our work focuses on ensuring that the principles of opportunity, fairness, and equity are protected online.
Digital Divide Reports
Broadband challenges vary by community but include a lack of high-speed internet network availability, a lack of access to digital readiness tools and devices, insufficient access to information and resources that can help non adopters get online safely.
Advancing Justice – AAJC published two complementary reports highlighting specific inequities facing AANHPI communities regarding access to the internet and access to digital tools and literacy: Digital Literacy in the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Communities and Digital Divide in the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Communities.
Our research is among the first to 
focus on in-language polling using phone surveying to offer new insights about the experiences of digital access in AANHPI communities that similar studies have previously obscured. The reports unpack the reality of what digital literacy and broadband access looks like for many in the AANHPI community and reveal that there is work to be done to improve digital access and literacy in these communities.
Read the qualitative analysis here and the quantitative analysis here.
Community Resource Hub
Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC is excited to introduce a collection of resources about important telecommunications and technology issues that not only represent hot topics of debate on Capitol Hill, but also impact our daily lives as individuals navigating the digital age. We hope these resources can serve as a foundation to help you better understand how emerging and rapidly developing technologies, as well as crucial telecommunications programs, affect AAPI communities and other communities of color.
- Privacy
- Facial recognition technology
- Algorithmic bias
- Social media surveillance
- Digital inclusion and literacy
Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
The ACP, run by the FCC, offers a monthly discount to offset the cost of broadband internet subscriptions, helping those that are struggling with connectivity get and stay connected. Learn more and access free resources here.
Diversity in Tech
While many technology companies have taken steps to address the lack of racial and gender diversity in the technology sector, they have yet to collectively build effective tools for recruiting, retaining, and promoting employees of diverse backgrounds. Advancing Justice | AAJC continues to work to ensure that communities of color are not left behind in the world of innovation and advancement.
AAPI Tech Table
Through the AAPI Tech Table, Advancing Justice | AAJC engages other Asian American organizations on critical technology-related issues. Together, our organizations work on formulating comprehensive digital privacy policies and combatting biased digital surveillance, online toxicity, and violence-inciting content.