ICT policy

7amleh: Palestinian civil society coalitions call on Google to put Palestine on its maps
7amleh: Palestinian civil society coalitions call on Google to put Palestine on its maps 30 July 2020 7amleh - The Arab Center for the Advancement of Social Media

Palestinian civil society denounces Google Maps' digital discrimination against Palestinians, and urges Google to abide by international law and human rights standards including in the case of Palestine.

Joint statement welcomes the gains in advancing the rights of women and girls at the 44th session of the Human Rights Council
Joint statement welcomes the gains in advancing the rights of women and girls at the 44th session of the Human Rights Council 28 July 2020 Sexual Rights Initiative, Center for Reproductive Rights, Choice for Youth and Sexuality, Association of Women’s Rights in Development and Association for Progressive Communications

This joint statement welcomes the resolution on elimination of discrimination against women and girls adopted at this HRC session, which focuses on multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination faced by women and girls and the measures states should take to address the same issues.

Mexican Congress’ implementation of USMCA IP provisions threatens democracy and digital rights
Mexican Congress’ implementation of USMCA IP provisions threatens democracy and digital rights 22 July 2020 Various

An open letter by public interest organisations and individuals in reaction to the approval by Mexican Congress of sweeping changes to the federal copyright regime in implementation of the Agreement between United States-Canada-Mexico Free Trade Agreement (USMCA).

Policy reform: Working towards feminist transformation and change
Policy reform: Working towards feminist transformation and change 22 July 2020 Mariana Fossatti for GenderIT.org

The Feminist Internet Research Network intentionally seeks to go beyond research to impact on policy and advocacy. But what should a feminist approach to policy shifts encompass, specifically coming from the global South?

DEF: Low-cost connectivity solutions fostering openness in times of COVID-19
DEF: Low-cost connectivity solutions fostering openness in times of COVID-19 21 July 2020 DEF

Because of the pandemic, India has been under lockdown since March. What does this mean for rural communities, only 20% of whom have access to the internet? Community networks established by organisations like Digital Empowerment Foundation are bringing critical services to 100 villages of India.

Good news, bad news: A story of internet shutdowns in Togo and Ethiopia
Good news, bad news: A story of internet shutdowns in Togo and Ethiopia 20 July 2020 Juliet Nanfuka for CIPESA

Last month the Economic Community of West African States Community Court of Justice ruled that the 2017 internet shutdown in Togo was illegal. But barely a week later, Ethiopia initiated a nationwide shutdown, serving as a reminder of the persistent threat of internet shutdowns on the continent.

Tracking disinformation laws and policies in more than 30 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa
Tracking disinformation laws and policies in more than 30 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa 13 July 2020 APCNews

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the dissemination of vast amounts of information, both verified and unverified. Against this backdrop, civil society organisations recently launched the Disinformation Tracker, an interactive map to track disinformation laws and policies across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Open letter to request strong user privacy protections in the Philippines’ COVID-19 contact tracing efforts
Open letter to request strong user privacy protections in the Philippines’ COVID-19 contact tracing efforts 13 July 2020 Various

The Philippine government has launched an exposure notification application, StaySafe.ph, which aims to contain the pandemic in the country. While the effort is commendable, the importance of combating COVID-19 while protecting people’s individual freedoms cannot be emphasised enough.

Media Matters for Democracy expresses concern over students' lack of internet access for online education
Media Matters for Democracy expresses concern over students' lack of internet access for online education 13 July 2020 Media Matters for Democracy

Students are facing infrastructural challenges in attending online classes, which are mandatory. The unavailability of quality access to the internet is causing massive challenges for students who are solely dependent on online platforms for education during COVID-19.

Digital-shy Zimbabwe’s schools feel the brunt of COVID-19
Digital-shy Zimbabwe’s schools feel the brunt of COVID-19 30 June 2020 Kenneth Matimaire

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed how citizens become vulnerable when governments do not protect and promote human rights in the online environment. The pandemic has critically affected the global education sector, potentially compromising the right to education.

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