Security and privacy

Facebook and privacy in the post-Roe era
Facebook and privacy in the post-Roe era 13 September 2022 Verónica Ferrari

The security and privacy practices of technology companies such as Facebook have once again come under fire from organisations that denounce these companies’ failure to meet international standards for the protection of human rights.

Big or little data in Africa: Why collaboration matters now more than ever
Big or little data in Africa: Why collaboration matters now more than ever 08 September 2022 JulietGrace Luwedde and Ibrahim Waiswa Batambuze

This year’s edition of DataFest Africa brought to light a very significant conversation that needs critical attention: data use in the private sector and civil society organisations within Africa. Pollicy's JulietGrace Luwedde shares key learnings from the biggest data festival on the continent.

Joint Stakeholder Report Universal Periodic Review 41st Session – India
Joint Stakeholder Report Universal Periodic Review 41st Session – India 30 August 2022 Access Now, APC, Internet Freedom Foundation

This joint stakeholder report focuses on key issues relating to human rights online in India, including internet shutdowns, digital exclusion, freedom of speech and expression online, online harassment and hate speech, privacy, surveillance and data protection.

Botswana civil society organisations rebuff criminal procedures bill
Botswana civil society organisations rebuff criminal procedures bill 23 August 2022 Thapelo Ndlovu

The draft bill would have enabled surveillance abuse and privacy violations. The pressure that was brought to bear by various human and media rights organisations, and the international spotlight that it attracted, paid off and the bill was withdrawn and amended.

Eswatini passes cyber laws under dark clouds
Eswatini passes cyber laws under dark clouds 23 August 2022 Ndimphiwe Shabangu

Since early 2021, the Kingdom of Eswatini has been gripped by waves of civil unrest, with reports of internet shutdowns implemented by the government in response to protests. It is in this climate of suspicion and unrest that cybercrime and data protection laws were gazetted in early 2022.

How the economically marginalised navigate digital adoption in India amid the pandemic
How the economically marginalised navigate digital adoption in India amid the pandemic 23 August 2022 Vaishnavi and Anish Mishra

The push for digitisation during the pandemic – whether for health management or to keep daily activities going amid lockdowns – deepened the digital divide in India, since escalated digital adoption without adequate policy protections can exclude the already marginalised even more.

Vietnam’s Zalo Connect: Digital authoritarianism in peer-to-peer aid platforms
Vietnam’s Zalo Connect: Digital authoritarianism in peer-to-peer aid platforms 22 August 2022 Trang Le

The Zalo Connect app in Vietnam connects users in need with private donors. But in doing so, it exemplifies a humanitarian trend that centres on extracting data from vulnerable communities as a precondition to receiving aid, protection and justice.

Data and online privacy under attack in Southern Africa: Showcasing the will and commitment of those fighting
Data and online privacy under attack in Southern Africa: Showcasing the will and commitment of those fighting 18 August 2022 Frederico Links

African internet users remain resilient in the face of all manner of state-sponsored and private tech-enabled cyber threats and obstacles, and civil society actors continue to raise and amplify their voices even as spaces for free expression, online and offline, are squeezed tighter and tighter.

In Sri Lanka, state-sponsored disinformation and suppression of dissent taint COVID-19 response
In Sri Lanka, state-sponsored disinformation and suppression of dissent taint COVID-19 response 10 August 2022 Harindrini Corea

The Sri Lankan government has capitalised on the COVID-19 pandemic to further its authoritarian agenda, using digital technologies to reinforce a climate of fear and censorship.

PeduliLindungi: To care for and protect?
PeduliLindungi: To care for and protect? 04 August 2022 Siti Rochmah Desyana

In Indonesia, the PeduliLindungi app has become synonymous with the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet it poses an unprecedented threat while leaving citizens with little recourse to protect their data. This article is part of the "Pandemic of Control" series by EngageMedia and CommonEdge.

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