censorship

Towards digital authoritarianism in Nepal: Surveillance, data collection, and online repression
Towards digital authoritarianism in Nepal: Surveillance, data collection, and online repression 05 December 2022 Samik Kharel

The government’s COVID-19 response opened the door to various threats to human and digital rights. With the influence of its neighbours with poor rights records, Nepal must decide on its own path if it envisions a democratic digital ecosystem.

Digital authoritarianism in Bangladesh: Weaponising a draconian law to silence dissent in the pandemic era
Digital authoritarianism in Bangladesh: Weaponising a draconian law to silence dissent in the pandemic era 10 November 2022 Zayed Siddiki

The COVID-19 pandemic provided the government with pretext to censor free speech, harass critics, and effectively curb dissent – accelerating what has been an ongoing turn towards authoritarianism in Bangladesh.

A COVID-19 power grab: Looming digital authoritarianism in Indonesia
A COVID-19 power grab: Looming digital authoritarianism in Indonesia 25 October 2022 Damar Juniarto

In Indonesia, a rise in hard-line approaches to governance is heralding looming authoritarianism. The COVID-19 pandemic has provided the government there with the opportunity to further accelerate digital authoritarianism through online surveillance, censorship and online manipulation.

The case of selective morality, sexist laws and online censorship in Pakistan
The case of selective morality, sexist laws and online censorship in Pakistan 27 July 2022 Hija Kamran for GenderIT.org

Internet censorship in the name of morality in Pakistan is rampant, and the trend continues to grow as new laws and regulations are introduced. But just a cursory look at this trend reveals that the censorship is not just vague, but also sexist, targeting women's expression and experiences online.

Hold the Line Coalition demands immediate decriminalisation of libel in the Philippines as Maria Ressa faces extended jail sentence
Hold the Line Coalition demands immediate decriminalisation of libel in the Philippines as Maria Ressa faces extended jail sentence 08 July 2022 Hold the Line Coalition

APC and other members of the Hold the Line Coalition condemn the Philippine Court of Appeals decision to uphold the conviction of Nobel Laureate Maria Ressa and former Rappler researcher Rey Santos Jr. on trumped-up charges of cyber libel.

Shutdown order against Rappler must be revoked immediately
Shutdown order against Rappler must be revoked immediately 30 June 2022 Hold the Line Coalition

APC and other members of the Hold the Line Coalition condemn the shutdown order against Maria Ressa's Rappler media group, approved by the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission this week.

Reflections on hate speech and other thoughts
Reflections on hate speech and other thoughts 01 June 2022 Multiple contributors

This report captures the first results of a project aimed at creating generative processes and spaces for discussions in Bangladesh around free speech and hate speech and their implications which could continue beyond the scope and timeline of the project.

Seeding change: EsLaRed helps defend access to information and freedom of expression in Venezuela
Seeding change: EsLaRed helps defend access to information and freedom of expression in Venezuela 29 October 2021 APCNews

Concerned about how digital technologies bring new challenges to fighting censorship, APC member EsLaRed has been defending access to information and freedom of expression in restrictive environments, with a recent study focusing on communication blockades in Venezuela.

APC policy explainer: Artificial intelligence
APC policy explainer: Artificial intelligence 20 October 2021 APC

AI technologies, are still in their infancy, so there is still enormous potential to channel AI to address global challenges – but also much concern regarding its effects on social justice and the enjoyment of human rights. 

Open letter calling on Apple to abandon its plans to build surveillance capabilities into its products
Open letter calling on Apple to abandon its plans to build surveillance capabilities into its products 19 August 2021 Various

APC joined with an international coalition of over 90 civil society organisations in an open letter to Apple, calling on the company to abandon its recently announced plans to build surveillance capabilities into iPhones, iPads and other Apple products. 

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