Closer than ever

APC understands that we are all dealing with unprecedented circumstances as we face the challenges, fear and uncertainty brought on by the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. We know it impacts our work, our personal lives and the lives of those we care about. Each country is tackling the situation differently, so the contexts we find ourselves in are as diverse as the ways we find to navigate shifting conditions.

In these exceptional times, we wish to send our solidarity and appreciation for connecting with us. While we are distancing ourselves physically, we continue to stay closer than ever to each other and share tools and resources as well as support. We also want to examine how we can continue to promote human rights online in the context of a global pandemic. We are all facing this problem together but we know it affects different countries and communities in different ways. Therefore, we would like to channel the strength of our network to share some important resources that we hope will be empowering, enlightening and reassuring.

Below you will find articles and insights shared by our community, which has been working on human rights and technology issues for over 30 years. We will be updating these lists on a regular basis, so please feel free to connect with us if you have some resources to share.

 

 

Harnessing the collective power of communities in 2021
Harnessing the collective power of communities in 2021 04 October 2022 APCNews

We want the collective power of communities within and beyond the APC network to be harnessed through existing and new relationships built around transformative actions and our shared visions. Check out our achievements in this area in 2021.

Policing the pandemic: Australia’s technology response to COVID-19
Policing the pandemic: Australia’s technology response to COVID-19 23 September 2022 Samantha Floreani

Australia adopted a range of technology-based responses to address the COVID-19 pandemic, but this approach resulted in “solutions” that ranged from the outright ineffective to the actively punitive.

Risking health for mobility? Limitations of Indonesia’s pandemic management tool
Risking health for mobility? Limitations of Indonesia’s pandemic management tool 14 September 2022 EngageMedia guest writer

Governments around the world have resorted to apps to restrict freedom of movement for the unvaccinated as part of their COVID-19 response. Some argue that the use of such tools drives up vaccination rates, but sceptics point out that these tools pose risks to privacy and digital security.

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.

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.

EngageMedia: Introducing the "Pandemic of Control" series
EngageMedia: Introducing the "Pandemic of Control" series 22 July 2022 Andrew Lowenthal

EngageMedia and CommonEdge invited writers, researchers and changemakers to respond to the growing digital authoritarianism – accelerated by COVID-19 – in the Asia-Pacific. The result is a 10-part series featuring insights from Indonesia, Vietnam, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Australia.

Inside the Digital Society: What impact has COVID had in practice?
Inside the Digital Society: What impact has COVID had in practice? 20 July 2022 David Souter

Two years ago, the assumption was that the pandemic and ensuing lockdowns would have lasting impacts on digitalisation – that they would accelerate the process by which offline turned to online, increase its pace and shift the way we do things towards digital alternatives. But has this happened as much as was expected?

Seeding change: Bytesforall Bangladesh advocates for online education as a fundamental right
Seeding change: Bytesforall Bangladesh advocates for online education as a fundamental right 29 April 2022 APCNews

Recognising the need for a rapid and effective response to the pressing issue of access to online education, Bytesforall Bangladesh saw an opportunity to advocate for equitable access to the internet as a public good, affirming access to education as a fundamental human right.

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