Digital Rights Weekly | November 21 - 25

[Team CommUNITY]

Hello Digital Rights Defenders!

Here is your weekly update on digital rights around the world for the
weeks of November 21 - 25. As a reminder, you can submit your news for
the newsletter here:
https://www.digitalrights.community/weekly-newsletter

###  Upcoming Virtual TCU Events ###

December 13 | Digital Justice Everyday Organizational Policy Toolkit
Presentation
https://digitalrights.formstack.com/forms/digitaljusticehousepresentation

VPN Village Sessions:

November 29 | Run Snowflake Proxies and Strengthen Internet Freedom
https://digitalrights.formstack.com/forms/vpnvillage2022_1

November 30 | Threat Modeling 101: Understanding When to Use or Not Use a VPN
https://digitalrights.formstack.com/forms/vpnvillage2022_5

December 1 | “All of them claim to be the best”: A multi-perspective
study of VPN users and VPN providers
https://digitalrights.formstack.com/forms/vpnvillage2022_2

December 6 | Getting Started with Outline: Helping your friends and
family access the Open Internet
https://digitalrights.formstack.com/forms/vpnvillage2022_3

December 7 | How to Critically Choose a VPN
https://digitalrights.formstack.com/forms/vpnvillage2022_4

December 8 | NewNode VPN: Internet Access In Shutdowns And Disruptions
https://digitalrights.formstack.com/forms/vpnvillage2022_6

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### TCU Updates ###

Dec 13: Digital Justice Everyday Organizational Policy Toolkit

Join us to hear about Team CommUNITY’s new toolkit which provides
practical recommendations for managers on how they can improve the
health of their teams and organizations right now. This first edition
of the toolkit focuses on three policies that address some the biggest
challenges managers are facing including high burnout on teams leading
to issues like interpersonal conflicts and interruptions in achieving
goals/deliverables; inability to retain and attract talent; and lack
of guidance or support on how to navigate new internal issues brought
on by the pandemic.

The toolkit is part of our new initiative, Digital Justice House,
looking at structural issues that impact the sustainability of the
digital rights field, and providing practical ways forward. Please
RSVP as soon as possible, and share with your community!

https://digitalrights.formstack.com/forms/digitaljusticehousepresentation

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### Digital Rights in the Community ###

1.Open Call: Green Web Fellowship Fellowship Opportunity 2023

The Green Web Foundation is seeking five practitioners for a paid
part-time fellowship of 10 months for their 2023 cohort. Fellows will
be expected to deliver a project that contributes to the digital
rights and climate justice movements. They will also learn from each
other and experienced practitioners about what powers control the
internet, how it is fueled, and what can be done about it. The call
for applications is open until Dec 8.

https://www.thegreenwebfoundation.org/fellowships/


2. Yale’s ISP Launches Majority World Initiative to Support Social
Media Scholarship, and Fellowship

The Information Society Project (ISP) at Yale Law School announced the
launch of its Majority World Initiative (MWI), which will support
social media governance scholars from the Majority World, commonly
referred to as the Global South. The initiative will include a
fellowship, which is currently accepting applications. They are
currently welcoming applications and will consider them beginning on
December 15, 2022 until the position is filled.

https://law.yale.edu/yls-today/news/isp-launches-majority-world-initiative-support-social-media-scholarship


3. PhD Scholarships in Digital Governance

The Hertie School is offering two three-year scholarships for
exceptional candidates seeking to pursue full-time PhDs in the field
of digital governance. The studentships starting dates would be from
August 2023 onwards. Successful candidates will be affiliated with the
school, which
 provides non-partisan evidence on both the challenges and also
benefits of digital transformations with respect to achieving public
good. Candidates should hold a master’s degree (or equivalent) in
social science or other related fields to digital governance.
Application deadline is January 31, 2023

https://www.hertie-school.org/en/digital-governance/about/opportunities/phd-scholarships-in-digital-governance


4. Launch of Field Manual Against Online Harassment in Arabic

PEN America has launched a first-of-its kind field manual against
Online Harassment in Arabic, providing useful tools and resources to
navigate online abuse and tightening digital safety.  Whether you’re
experiencing or witnessing online abuse, the manual offers concrete
strategies for how to defend yourself and others. This resource was
written with and for those disproportionately impacted by online
abuse: writers, journalists, artists, and activists who identify as
women, BIPOC, and/or LGBTQIA+.

https://onlineharassmentfieldmanual.pen.org/ar/


3. EFF’s Atlas of Surveillance Database Hit Bittersweet Milestone

The Electronic Frontier Foundation’s Atlas of Surveillance database is
a searchable and mappable repository of which law enforcement agencies
in the US use surveillance technologies such as body-worn cameras,
drones, and face recognition, among others. They have reached a
milestone, hitting 10,000 data points. The database contains at least
partial data on approximately 5,500 law enforcement agencies in all 50
states, as well as most territories and districts.

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2022/11/effs-atlas-surveillance-database-now-documents-10000-police-tech-programs


4. UK: Online Safety Bill Threatens Freedom of Expression & Privacy

ARTICLE 19, Big Brother Watch, Index on Censorship, and three other
organisations have warned that the United Kingdom’s Online Safety Bill
will fundamentally undermine the rights to freedom of expression,
privacy and other human rights online.

Writing to Irene Khan, the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and
protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, the free
expression and digital rights groups welcomed her comments to the UK
Government about the Bill in March 2022, but noted that since that
time, the legislation has not been improved to protect human rights.

https://www.article19.org/resources/uk-online-safety-bill-free-speech/

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### Digital Rights Resources ###

1. How to Start a Mastodon Account
With Musk’s purchase of Twitter and implementing concerning policies,
some Twitter users are increasingly looking for alternative platforms.
If you’re considering this move, this guide presents how to delete or
lock your Twitter account and how to shift to Mastodon.

https://uk.pcmag.com/social-media/140040/how-to-leave-twitter-for-mastodon


2. Can Anyone Avoid CCTV Surveillance? Chat with Privacy
International’s Director

Hailed as a tech solution to crime, security cameras throw up
questions of accountability and privacy. The Guardian chats with
Privacy International’s director about the potential ability to avoid
CCTV surveillance.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/nov/18/can-anyone-avoid-cctv-surveillance-we-ask-an-expert

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### Digital Rights in the Wider World ###


1. New Tactics for Digital Repression as Protests Continue

Iranian authorities continue to deploy new tactics to crack down on
freedom of expression and access to information as the popular
uprising continues across the country.

https://www.article19.org/resources/iran-new-tactics-for-digital-repression-as-protests-continue/

But tech-savvy Iranian activists reveal Islamic republic’s abuses:
1500tasvir emerged as a hub for independent information relied upon by
protesters in the street.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/11/19/secret-iranian-web-activists-work-bring-islamic-republic/
(paywall)


2. Hundreds Said to Have Opted to Leave Twitter Over Musk Ultimatum

Hundreds of Twitter employees refused Thursday to sign a pledge to
work longer hours, threatening the site’s ability to keep operating
and prompting hurried debates among managers over who should be asked
to return, current and former employees said. The number of engineers
tending to multiple critical systems had been reduced to two, one or
even zero, according to people familiar with the situation who spoke
on the condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/11/17/twitter-musk-easing-rto-order/


3. The Eyes of Amazon: A Hidden Workforce Driving a Vast Surveillance System

Inside a vast Amazon warehouse in Beaumont, California, squat blue
robots carrying eight-foot yellow shelving units perform a jerky,
mechanized dance around each other as they make their way to human
workers. An AI camera system monitors the stowers’ movements – and if
it fails, a video is sent to someone thousands of miles away whose
input helps to improve Amazon's machine learning tools.

https://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/stories/2022-11-21/the-eyes-of-amazon-a-hidden-workforce-driving-a-vast-surveillance-system


4. “Bridges Across Digital Divides” Needed to Boost Development,
Guterres Tells G20

With the right national policies, digital technology can give “an
unprecedented boost to sustainable development”, particularly for the
poorest countries, the UN chief told the G20 Summit in Bali,
Indonesia, on Wednesday.

“This calls for more connectivity; and less digital fragmentation.
More bridges across digital divides; and fewer barriers. Greater
autonomy for ordinary people; less abuse and disinformation”,
Secretary-General António Guterres underscored during a session
devoted to the theme of Digital Transformation.

https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/11/1130707


5. Turkey Tested New Censorship Powers After Istanbul Blast

In the aftermath of a deadly bombing in central Istanbul, the Turkish
government demonstrated its newly enhanced power to cut off flows of
information and to assert state control over the public debate. Social
media services including Twitter, Instagram and YouTube were quickly
made inaccessible on Sunday, and blocked until the following morning.
Broadcasters reporting on the incident abruptly shifted to other
topics as RTUK, the media watchdog, rapidly imposed a broadcast ban.

https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/turkey-tested-new-censorship-powers-after-istanbul-blast-1.1848259

Turkey’s Football Federation also joined the list of institutions with
powers to censor content online. In December 2021, an article added to
law No. 5894 (Law on the Establishment and Duties of the Turkish
Football Federation) granted the Turkish Football Federation authority
to block access to broadcasts and URLs in case the federation
determines the broadcasts are illegal. From the outside it may look
and sound like a legitimate decision: the football federation trying
to prevent illegal broadcasts of games.

https://globalvoices.org/2022/11/18/in-turkey-a-football-federation-joins-a-list-of-institutions-with-powers-to-censor-content-online/


6. The Quiet Evolution of Vietnam’s Digital Authoritarianism

Digital rights in Vietnam are declining as a new system of
surveillance and control has emerged in the country, with the support
of Western tech giants.

https://thediplomat.com/2022/11/the-quiet-evolution-of-vietnams-digital-authoritarianism/

_________________________________________________

### Grants, Fellowships, & Awards ###

The following opportunities are open to individual digital rights
defenders and to organizations. If you would like us to include a
grant, fellowship or award in this newsletter, please email details to
team at digitalrights.community
https://internetfreedomfestival.org/wiki/index.php/Fundraising_Opportunities

The Creative Media Awards
Mozilla
Deadline: November 30, 2022
https://foundation.mozilla.org/en/blog/mozillas-creative-media-awards-seek-projects-exploring-ai-and-responsible-design/

The Africa Innovation Mrad
Mozilla
Deadline: November 30, 2022
https://foundation.mozilla.org/en/blog/mozillas-africa-innovation-mradi-introduces-its-in-real-life-fund/

Green Web Fellowship
The Green Web Foundation
Deadline: December 8, 2022
https://www.thegreenwebfoundation.org/fellowships/

Fellowship on Technology and Human Rights
SMEX
Deadline: December 11, 2022
https://smex.org/2023-smex-fellowship-on-technology-and-human-rights/

Information Society Project Fellowship
Yale University
December 15, 2022
https://law.yale.edu/isp/join-us

The Responsible Computer Science Challenge
Mozilla
Deadline: December 15, 2022
https://foundation.mozilla.org/en/blog/mozillas-responsible-computer-science-challenge-opens-applications-in-kenya/

PhD Scholarships in Digital Governance
The Hertie School
January 31, 2023
https://www.hertie-school.org/en/digital-governance/about/opportunities/phd-scholarships-in-digital-governance

Incident Emergency Fund
Digital Defenders Partnership
Deadline: Rolling Basis
https://www.digitaldefenders.org/incident-emergency-fund/

Rapid Response Fund
Open Tech Fund
Deadline: Rolling Basis
https://www.opentech.fund/news/request-for-proposal-otfs-rapid-response-fund/

Digital Freedom Fund
Deadline: Check website, call for proposal will open soon.
https://digitalfreedomfund.org/grants/

Safety Net Fund
Deadline: Ongoing
https://wphfund.org/whrds-safety-net/

Internet Freedom Fund
Open Technology Fund
Deadline: Rolling Basis
https://www.opentech.fund/funds/internet-freedom-fund/

Rapid Response Fund
Open Tech Fund
Deadline: Rolling Basis
https://www.opentech.fund/funds/rapid-response-fund/

Rapid Response Fund
Derechos Digitales
Deadline: Rolling Basis
https://www.derechosdigitales.org/sobre-el-fondo-de-respuesta-rapida/

Urgent Action Fund for Women's Human Rights
Deadline: Rolling Basis
https://urgentactionfund.org/

Open Briefing’s Responsive Assistance
Deadline: Rolling Basis
https://www.openbriefing.org/support/referral/

Secure Usability and Accessibility Lab
Open Tech Fund
Deadline: Rolling
https://www.opentech.fund/labs/sua-lab/
_________________________________________________

### Global Events Calendar ###

Run Snowflake Proxies and Strengthen Internet Freedom
VPN Village
November 29
9am EST / 2pm UTC
Online
https://digitalrights.formstack.com/forms/vpnvillage2022_1

Threat Modeling 101: Understanding When to Use or Not Use a VPN
VPN Village
November 30
8:30am EST / 1:30pm UTC
Online
https://digitalrights.formstack.com/forms/vpnvillage2022_5

“All of them claim to be the best”: A multi-perspective study of VPN
users and VPN providers
VPN Village
December 1
11am EST / 4pm UTC
Online
https://digitalrights.formstack.com/forms/vpnvillage2022_2

Getting Started with Outline: Helping your friends and family access
the Open Internet
VPN Village
December 6
9:30am EST / 2:30pm UTC
Online
https://digitalrights.formstack.com/forms/vpnvillage2022_3

How to Critically Choose a VPN
VPN Village
December 7
10am EST / 3pm UTC
Online
https://digitalrights.formstack.com/forms/vpnvillage2022_4

NewNode VPN: Internet Access In Shutdowns And Disruptions
VPN Village
December 8
10am EST / 3pm UTC
Online
https://digitalrights.formstack.com/forms/vpnvillage2022_6

Digital Justice Everyday Organizational Policy Toolkit Presentation
December 13
9am EST / 2pm UTC
Online
https://digitalrights.formstack.com/forms/digitaljusticehousepresentation

Check out a list of our virtual events here:
https://internetfreedomfestival.org/wiki/index.php/Calendar_of_Events
_________________________________________________

### NEW Job Opportunities  ###

Below is a short list of jobs sent to us in the last week.

Want to see more jobs? OR Have a job opening you want us to promote?
Check out the Team CommUNITY Job Board:
https://www.digitalrights.community/job-board

✎ Policy Counsel: FCC and FTC | Free Press
+ Washington, DC, USA
https://freepress.net/jobs

✎ Marketing & Digital Response Manager | Free Press
+ Washington, DC or Remote in USA
https://freepress.bamboohr.com/careers/47?source=aWQ9OQ%3D%3D

✎ Senior Financial Analyst (Reporting Processes) | Wikimedia Foundation
+ Remote
https://grnh.se/c17f2cfc1us

✎ Natural Resources Research Assistant | Business and Human Rights
Resource Centre
+ Remote (UK or Germany preferred)
https://bhrrc.bamboohr.com/careers/38?source=aWQ9MTk%3D

✎ International Grant Accountant (US based)
NY, Maryland or Washington DC, USA
Article19

If you feel like sending some digital glitter our way, or need further
assistance, feel free to reply to this message.
_________________________________________________

### Know someone that wants to subscribe to our newsletter? ###

They can sign up here:
https://www.digitalrights.community/weekly-newsletter

### Want to partner with us?###

If you have any questions or want to learn more about partnerships,
get in touch at team at digitalrights.community. We are always looking
for like-minded organizations and people.

(((Hugs & light)))

Team CommUNITY at ARTICLE 19
www.digitalrights.community
PGP: 2E1D CC33 A362 0BD6 236E  540A F60A 89AD 6FF9 7A2F

You can now submit your news for the Digital Rights weekly directly.
https://www.digitalrights.community/weekly-newsletter

To post your job opportunities, submit your opportunities to our Job Board.
https://www.digitalrights.community/job-board-form