BigBrotherAwards 2001

Rolf Gössner is a German lawyer, publicist, parliamentary advisor and civil rights activist. He is also a member of the German NGO “International League for Human Rights” (German name: Internationale Liga für Menschenrechte, ILFM). ILFM regards human rights as undivisible, unalienable, and universal. In their view the term “human rights” equally includes protections and participation rights on the civil-political, social, and cultural levels – irrespective of origin, gender, skin colour, religion, or politicial views. Rolf Gössner has been part of the BigBrotherAwards from the very start. After more than 20 years he retired from the jury in 2021.

Rena Tangens is an artist, Internet pioneer and policy director of Digitalcourage. She co-founded Digitalcourage, then called FoeBuD, in 1987. She has received multiple awards for her work.

Förderverein Informationstechnik und Gesellschaft (FITUG) creates connections to the virtual world of new media and data networks. The objectives of the association are to promote the integration of new media into society, to educate people about the techniques, risks and dangers of these media, and to safeguard human rights and consumer protection in computer networks. Patrick Goltzsch was a jury member in 2000–2002.

FIfF was founded on 2 June 1984 as the “Forum of Computer Scientists for Peace and Social Responsibility” (Forum Informatiker für Frieden und gesellschaftliche Verantwortung). The association is active throughout Germany for people who are involved in information technology in science or in practice. It focuses less on the technical aspects of information technology and more on its social impact. Ingo Ruhmann was a jury member for the BigBrotherAwards in 2001.

The Chaos Computer Club (CCC) is the largest hackers association in Europe and has been a mediator in the exciting field of technological and social developments for more than thirty years. The club’s activities range from technical research and explorations at the edge of the tech universe via campaigns, events, policy advice, press releases and publications to providing tools for anonymity and communication The club consists of several decentralised local associations and groups. CCC communicates its positions using diverse publication channels and always seeks to exchange with technologically and socially interested and like-minded people. It also demands and furthers people’s enjoyment of their device, bringing the principles of the hacker ethic to life. Jens Ohlig gave a laudation at the BigBrotherAwards in 2001.