Security and privacy

Written submission for the hearing at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights on global US/NSA surveillance
Written submission for the hearing at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights on global US/NSA surveillance 28 October 2013

Mass surveillance programs of the US/NSA violate fundamental human rights of non-U.S. persons. The document available for download was submitted today by dozens of organisations in the American hemisphere, in hopes that the mass surveillance of the US will be condemned, reaffirming human rights principles, established by international human rights law.

Azerbaijan: After the 2012 IGF, freedom of expression more vulnerable
Azerbaijan: After the 2012 IGF, freedom of expression more vulnerable 28 October 2013 AL

The situation for Azerbaijani activists who work online did not improve after the IGF came to town in 2012. In fact, it actually became worse. APCNews talks to Gulnara Akhundova of International Media Support and Emin Huseynov from the Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety about the impact one year later.

Security vulnerabilities at the IGF registration process
Security vulnerabilities at the IGF registration process 25 October 2013

In this year’s edition of the IGF the security of the internet was discussed from the perspectives of the users, governments and business. Several times panelists insisted that cybersecurity starts at home and people need to be sensitised to that. Yet, there was a major security vulnerability in the registration process that nobody noticed or raised.

IGF cybersecurity fail: website leaks personal data with aid of participants
IGF cybersecurity fail: website leaks personal data with aid of participants 24 October 2013 APC

by Alex Comninos, 25 October 2013 When registering for the IGF, you may very well have exposed your personal data, including full name, ID/passport number to criminals, spies, intelligence agencies and dragnet surveillance programmes.

Activists share best practices in cybersecurity at the 2013 Internet Governance Forum
Activists share best practices in cybersecurity at the 2013 Internet Governance Forum 17 October 2013 Mallory Knodel

We see from the headlines that the security of digital networks and information is becoming increasingly important. To shed light on the practical steps that members of civil society can take to protect themselves and their activism, APC and Tactical Tech are hosting a peer-learning session called a “Disco-tech” on the night before the global IGF in Bali, 21 October 2013.    

Reflecting on the Human Rights Council as a space to halt mass surveillance
Reflecting on the Human Rights Council as a space to halt mass surveillance 03 October 2013 Shawna Finnegan

Last Friday the 24th session of the UN Human Rights Council came to a close in Geneva.

Zimbabwe: New SIM registration database law represses twin rights to privacy and expression
Zimbabwe: New SIM registration database law represses twin rights to privacy and expression 03 October 2013 Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum

The Zimbabwean government extended its reach into the private lives of its citizens this week by promulgating a new law establishing a central database of information about all mobile telephone users in the country.

NGOs at the Human Rights Council: Apply human rights law to state surveillance
NGOs at the Human Rights Council: Apply human rights law to state surveillance 20 September 2013

Civil society organisations today called upon the members of the Human Rights Council (HRC) to assess whether national surveillance laws and activities are in line with their international human rights obligations.

Civil Society Statement read by APC to the Human Rights Council on Canada UPR report
Civil Society Statement read by APC to the Human Rights Council on Canada UPR report 19 September 2013 Shawna Finnegan

Agenda Item 6:/Consideration of UPR reports/Canada Speaker: Shawna Finnegan Thank you Mr. President, The Association for Progressive Communications welcomes Canada’s acceptance of recommendations to expand measures to address violence against Indigenous women and girls, and ensure access to justice, improving the response of law enforcement and justice systems. [1] Despite systemic viole...

Civil Society Statement read by APC to the Human Rights Council on human rights principles applicable to communications surveillance
Civil Society Statement read by APC to the Human Rights Council on human rights principles applicable to communications surveillance 19 September 2013 APC

Civil Society Statement read by the Association for Progressive Communications to the Human Rights Council on human rights principles applicable to communications surveillance Agenda item 4:/General Debate/ Speaker: Shawna Finnegan Thank you Madame Vice President. I speak on behalf of several civil society organizations from around the world [1] to express grave concerns about new threats to d...

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