Digital society

COVID-19 is leaving women and LGBTQIA+ people in the USA vulnerable to online surveillance
COVID-19 is leaving women and LGBTQIA+ people in the USA vulnerable to online surveillance 06 August 2020 Nia Tucker for GenderIT.org

Essential workers and service workers in the United States, especially those in the LGBTQIA+ community, are increasingly more vulnerable at the workplace during the COVID-19 pandemic. They are at risk of losing employment benefits, and are subject to discrimination and surveillance at work.

Coconet: What are digital rights?
Coconet: What are digital rights? 04 August 2020 Kathleen Azali for EngageMedia

While human rights have been more clearly defined through the UN Declaration of Human Rights the same cannot be said for the terms “digital”, “technology”, or the “internet”. In that sense, what are digital rights?

Apply to be part of the Video4Change Network
Apply to be part of the Video4Change Network 31 July 2020 Video4Change

Video4Change, a consortium of human rights activists, journalists, trainers, and video practitioners who use video as their primary tool to effect social change, is taking applications for new members.

KICTANet: Kenya’s burden – the effects of digital taxes on SMEs
KICTANet: Kenya’s burden – the effects of digital taxes on SMEs 30 July 2020 Mwenda Tevin Gitonga for KICTANet

The Kenyan government has introduced a digital tax programme that presents a challenge to pre-existing and new technology companies under the small and medium-sized categories (SMEs), which are the backbone of the country’s economy.

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.

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).

FMA: #HijaAko and what the current data map on online gender-based violence in the Philippines is telling us
FMA: #HijaAko and what the current data map on online gender-based violence in the Philippines is telling us 21 July 2020 Foundation for Media Alternatives

Because of the pandemic, more people are staying home and enjoying the benefits of technology. Women, however, can have a different online experience as gender-based violence manifests in various ways in virtual spaces.

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.

Inside the Digital Society: Past, present, future. How comms have changed within my lifetime – and the lessons learned
Inside the Digital Society: Past, present, future. How comms have changed within my lifetime – and the lessons learned 20 July 2020 David Souter

1955’s a long time back in many ways, but time’s flown fast for ICTs. Britain then, like everywhere, was a very analogue society.

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