Freedom of expression

Derechos Digitales and APC contribution to the Ad Hoc Committee to Elaborate a Comprehensive International Convention on Countering the Use of Information and Communications Technologies for Criminal Purposes – Fifth Session
Derechos Digitales and APC contribution to the Ad Hoc Committee to Elaborate a Comprehensive International Convention on Countering the Use of Information and Communications Technologies for Criminal Purposes – Fifth Session 27 April 2023 Derechos Digitales and APC

Given that digital technologies and the laws and norms that govern them have the potential to perpetuate and worsen pre-existing structural inequalities, APC and Derechos Digitales believe that a central element of this future convention should be the integration of a gender perspective.

APC statement to the Global Digital Compact Thematic Deep-Dive session on data protection
APC statement to the Global Digital Compact Thematic Deep-Dive session on data protection 25 April 2023 APC

APC believes that a feminist approach to data and datafication examines the nature of data and constantly resists disembodiment of data. It is centred on the understanding that the consequences of data and datafication are embodied, with individuals and communities facing those consequences.

Beyond deterrence: Understanding the chilling effects of technology-facilitated gender-based violence
Beyond deterrence: Understanding the chilling effects of technology-facilitated gender-based violence 17 April 2023 Amrita Vasudevan for GenderIT.org

In response to the violence they face online, women censor themselves, stepping back from conversations online and sometimes exiting online spaces entirely. At times, however, they continue to speak and exist online but alter their speech and behaviour to comply with perceived social norms.

Why feminist research is necessary to address technology-facilitated gender-based violence: Recommendations and way forward
Why feminist research is necessary to address technology-facilitated gender-based violence: Recommendations and way forward 07 April 2023 Srinidhi Raghavan for GenderIT.org

In spite of expanding awareness on online and technology-facilitated gender-based violence, there has only been an increase in the violence online in the last decade. Feminist research points to ways to address this ongoing challenge.

We call for review and reform of the legal and regulatory framework governing internet shutdowns in India
We call for review and reform of the legal and regulatory framework governing internet shutdowns in India 06 April 2023 Various

India imposed 84 internet shutdowns in 2022, the highest number globally for the fifth year in a row. APC joins a global civil society coalition to urgently ask the Indian government to create meaningful safeguards for citizens' digital rights and ensure unfettered access to an open, secure and reliable internet. 

Democracy is dying in digital darkness
Democracy is dying in digital darkness 03 April 2023 Vasundhara Sirnate and Gaurav Jain

Last year saw the highest number of internet shutdowns ever recorded. Such enforced digital darkness is a slippery slope of easy authoritarianism that we see spreading globally, one that countries like India, with the world's highest number of shutdowns, are using to gain undemocratic compliance from their citizens.

Violence against sex workers surges in South Africa as they move to the internet for work
Violence against sex workers surges in South Africa as they move to the internet for work 31 March 2023 Colleta Dewa for GenderIT.org

Sex workers in South Africa moved to the internet to seek clients as the offline opportunities dwindled due to the pandemic-induced lockdown. But they face previously unknown challenges with the prevalent online gender-based violence in the country.

APC and Coding Rights intervention at the GDC Americas Multistakeholder Consultation
APC and Coding Rights intervention at the GDC Americas Multistakeholder Consultation 08 March 2023 APC and Coding Rights

This presentation was jointly delivered by Joana Varon (Coding Rights) and Valeria Betancourt (APC) at the Global Digital Compact Americas Multistakeholder Consultation held in Mexico City on 15-16 February 2023 to discuss the challenges, opportunities and priorities of the region.

APC Reading List: Preparing for the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) 67th session
APC Reading List: Preparing for the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) 67th session 07 March 2023 Hija Kamran

This year's Commission on the Status of Women is the first ever to focus on gender equality and digital technologies. Here is APC's recommended reading list to help us all prepare for the discussions at CSW67.

Bodily autonomy and censorship: Snippets from South Asia
Bodily autonomy and censorship: Snippets from South Asia 03 March 2023 Seerat Khan for GenderIT.org

The overregulation of women's and gender-diverse folks' bodies in South Asian culture has found its way into online spaces and heavily polices how bodily autonomy is expressed and regarded. Seerat Khan discusses barriers to this autonomy and their impact on self-expression.

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