Digital Rights Weekly | August 7 - 11
Team CommUNITY
team at digitalrights.community
Thu Aug 10 18:50:33 CEST 2023
Hello Digital Rights Defenders!
Here is your weekly update on digital rights around the world for the
week of August 7 - 11. As a reminder, you can submit your news for the
newsletter here: https://www.digitalrights.community/weekly-newsletter
### Team CommUNITY (TCU) ###
1. Digital Rights Regional Briefs of July are Out!!
This month you can find a technical analysis on loan apps in Mexico
done by SocialTIC, a comparative evaluation of cybercrime laws in the
MENA region, updates about digital security training in Sub-Saharan
Africa, plus an analysis regarding why Southeast Asia needs to catch
up with AI Regulation.
These are the last briefs from the 2022-2023 community leads cohort
and we are deeply thankful for their work strengthening our community
building! During this time, the regional community leads from Africa,
Asia, Latin America, and the MENA region have organized the regional
meetups, invited and prepared the participation of great guests for
the Glitter Meetups, and have written these amazing digital rights
monthly briefs. Thank you so much for your incredible contribution!
Review the briefs here:
https://www.digitalrights.community/blog/regionalbriefsjuly2023
2. RSVP for “The Wellbeing Monthly” series: Once a month join a
psychosocial educational workshop designed for digital rights
defenders!
Join "The Wellbeing Monthly", a monthly virtual educational workshop
series led by diverse mental health professionals. The online series
will run from June to December and are free of charge, and focus on
psychoeducation and coping mechanisms on diverse topics including
anxiety and fear, guilt and survivors guilt, defeat and hopelessness,
trauma, and burnout and stress. Each month we will be announcing new
speakers, so check regularly! RVSP for the next workshop:
October 3, Imposter Syndrome in Activism: How Do We Cope?:
https://digitalrights.formstack.com/forms/wellbeingmonthly4
3. Glitter Meetups Season Break: They Will Resume on October 5!
We had our last Glitter Meetup for the season on July 13. We will
resume on October 5, so stay tuned. We want to take the opportunity to
thank all our featured guests and Team CommUNITY's staff who have made
Glitter Meetups amazing, glittertastic spaces for our community!
4. How we are Approaching Safety, Security and Challenges for the
Global Gathering
Find out how we are approaching the 2023 Global Gathering (GG) to
address real challenges that impact safety and security of
participants. This year’s edition in Portugal is part of a 3-year
vision to grow the GG in a sustainable way. The event is less than two
months away, and will be used to collectively brainstorm not just how
the GG will evolve, but also the standards we want to see in our field
of practice.
https://www.digitalrights.community/blog/2023-global-gathering-how-we-are-approaching-safety-security-and-challenges
_________________________________________________
### Digital Rights in the Community ###
1. DWeb+CoolabCamp
Coolab is organizing the DWeb+CoolabCamp in Brazil for early
September. It will bring together Coolab's community networks camp
with DWeb Camp actions. The dates are 7-10 September, and it will take
place at Ubatuba beach, between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. Read
more here:
https://dwebcamp.coolab.org
2. A Digital Sovereignty Conference in Slovenia
The conference, held from 24 to 26 October 2023 in Ljubljana, will
focus on the transformative power of active and engaged civil society
in reclaiming digital sovereignty. From inspiring legal battles and
activist campaigns to engineering breakthroughs, DISCO Slovenia will
offer alternative ways of thinking about technological progress. More
details at:
https://disco.si/
3. Proton VPN launched a new “VPN Observatory'' detailing spikes in
its usage and illustrating online censorship around the world
In July, Proton VPN launched their Observatory detailing spikes in
Proton VPN use which illustrate how VPN trends clearly map online
censorship around the world. Publicly available, the Proton VPN
Observatory details in real time the significant spikes that appear to
be geopolitically related, to better understand censorship trends and
inform future efforts to combat censorship.
Over time, Proton VPN has also seen user behavior changing as VPN
technologies have become more widely adopted. Instead of seeing short
term spikes following government censorship or internet blocks, they
now see users signing up in advance of events such as elections, and
continuing to use VPNs after censorship has been lifted, presumably to
protect themselves against future internet blocks.
https://protonvpn.com/internet-censorship-observatory/2023
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOIfrMxOfjY&t=42s
4. EFF Launches the Tor University Challenge
Universities answering this call to defend private access to an
uncensored web will help millions of people around the world while
providing a vital learning experience. Read more about Tor and the Tor
University Challenge here:
https://www.eff.org/press/releases/eff-launches-tor-university-challenge
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### Digital Rights Resources ###
1. Rules to Keep AI in Check: Nations Carve Different Paths for Tech Regulation
A guide to how China, the EU and the US are reining in artificial intelligence.
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-02491-y
2. Paper | Brazil’s Cyber Strategy Under Lula: Not a Priority, but
Progress is Possible
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s administration has
proposed an ambitious agenda to reform domestic cyber governance, but
it is unlikely to depart significantly from Brazil’s established
positions on global cyber diplomacy.
https://carnegieendowment.org/2023/08/08/brazil-s-cyber-strategy-under-lula-not-priority-but-progress-is-possible-pub-90339
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### Digital Rights in the Wider World ###
1. In Surveillance This Week:
The High-Tech Hunt of Racialized People: France Gives Permission to
Remotely Surveil Phone Cameras
France has recently passed a justice reform bill that gives law
enforcement agencies a green light to surveil cameras, microphones,
and geolocation on personal phones and other citizen-owned devices.
This unprecedented surveillance power raises grave concerns over
privacy violations, civil liberties, and the abuse of authority under
the guise of national security.
https://www.enar-eu.org/france-gives-police-permission-to-spy/
India passes data protection bill amid surveillance concerns
The law will allow companies to transfer some users' data abroad while
giving the government power to seek information from firms and issue
directions to block content on the advice of a data protection board
appointed by the federal government.
https://www.reuters.com/technology/india-passes-data-protection-law-amid-surveillance-concerns-2023-08-09/
The new law has drawn criticism from opposition lawmakers and rights
groups over the scope of exemptions, weakening government
accountability, and increased surveillance.
https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2023/8/9/india-passes-data-protection-bill-amid-surveillance-concerns
Similarly, France’s proposed internet bill threatens online speech.
While presented as a framework to secure and regulate the digital
space, the Bill contains various disconcerting provisions that present
fundamental threats to human rights for internet users in France and
beyond. Among them, it will mandate web browsers and domain name
system resolvers to block websites flagged by the government.
https://www.article19.org/resources/france-proposed-internet-bill-threatens-online-speech/
Meanwhile, Bangladesh is set to tone down ‘draconian’ digital security
law. The law minister says the law will be replaced with another
legislation which will remove the sections that were allegedly
misused.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/7/bangladesh-to-tone-down-draconian-digital-security-law
In the U.S., the Atlanta city council signed off on a measure
requiring gas stations to have surveillance cameras, a proposal
proponents say will keep residents safe.
https://www.jacksonprogress-argus.com/plus/atlanta-city-council-approves-surveillance-camera-requirement/article_09b1501e-3b1e-5c6b-a9f4-5a378a21d69b.html
2. Cross Border Surveillance & Cyber-Technology Sharing
>From Germany to Iran:
The Iranian regime uses surveillance cameras and facial recognition
software to control and enforce its mandatory hijab rules. One of the
suppliers of these cameras is the German company Bosch. However, Bosch
denies the use of these devices for facial recognition.
https://iranfocus.com/intelligence-reports/49850-irans-regime-using-germany-made-surveillance-cameras/
And From Israel to Pakistan:
Last week, Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that Pakistan’s Federal
Investigation Agency (FIA) and various police units in Pakistan had
been using Cellebrite software since at least 2012. Cellebrite’s
flagship product is called UFED. It enables law enforcement agencies
to carry out digital forensic work by hacking into password-protected
cell phones and copying all information, including pictures,
documents, text messages, calling histories and contacts.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2351011/pakistan
3. Media Groups Ask Competition Bureau to investigate Meta's Move to
Block News in Canada
Meta announced it is ending news availability in Canada over the
Online News Act. CBC/Radio-Canada has joined other news publishers and
broadcasters in requesting that Canada's Competition Bureau
investigate Meta's decision to block news content on its digital
platforms in Canada, describing the social media giant's decision as
"anticompetitive."
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/competition-bureau-online-news-act-meta-1.6930081
4. Malaysia: Government Authority Blocks News Outlets Ahead of State Elections
Authorities blocked the Malaysian online news portals UtusanTV and
MalaysiaNow ahead of critical state elections. The International
Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliate, the National Union
of Journalists Peninsular Malaysia (NUJM) condemn the media controls
and urge the country’s media authorities to respect press freedom.
https://www.ifj.org/media-centre/news/detail/category/press-releases/article/malaysia-government-authority-blocks-news-outlets-ahead-of-state-elections
5. China: Human Rights Defenders & Journalists Jailed. Censorship
Persists as President XI Starts Third Term in Office
In China, human rights defenders and activists report harassment and
intimidation; unfair trials; arbitrary, incommunicado and lengthy
detentions; and torture and other ill-treatment for exercising their
fundamental rights. Xi Jin Ping is now serving an unprecedented third
term as president.
https://monitor.civicus.org/explore/china-human-rights-defenders-and-journalists-jailed-and-censorship-persists-as-president-xi-starts-third-term-in-office/
6. Jordan Arrests Journalist for ‘Defaming’ King Abdullah II
The journalist criticized Jordan’s monarch for normalization with
Israel during the attacks on Palestinian worshipers at Al-Aqsa Mosque
in April.
https://new.thecradle.co/articles/jordan-arrests-journalist-for-defaming-king-abdullah-ii
Jordan’s free speech boundaries tested with satire. AlHudood, one of
the most popular satirical websites in the Arab world has hit back
after being banned in Jordan by poking fun at the country's new
planned censorship laws.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-66397036
7. Meta Accused of Ignoring Reports on Dangerous Content
So-called trusted partners can flag death threats and incitements of
violence. Facebook and Instagram promise to act quickly but fail to
deliver, claims nonprofit Internews.
https://www.theverge.com/2023/8/7/23820422/meta-internews-trusted-partners-human-rights-report
8. Elon Musk’s Twitter/X Tries to Sue Critics Into Silence
Last week, the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) became the
target of an aggressive and cynical intimidation campaign by Musk. The
CCDH has been at the forefront of reporting on the hate proliferating
on X/Twitter since Musk completed his takeover in late October 2022.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/aug/06/when-we-held-up-a-mirror-to-elon-musks-twitterx-he-tried-to-sue-us-into-silence
9. Eyes in the Global Biometric Project
Mexico is one of nearly three dozen countries where participants are
allowed the sphere, outfitted with cameras and dubbed an orb, to scan
their iris. The project's goal is to distinguish people from bots
online, while doling out a cryptocurrency bonus as a incentive to
participate.
https://www.reuters.com/technology/early-adopters-mexico-lend-their-eyes-global-biometric-project-2023-08-08/
The Kenyan government has ordered cryptocurrency project Worldcoin to
stop signing up new users, citing data privacy concerns. Worldcoin,
founded by US tech entrepreneur Sam Altman, offers free crypto tokens
to people who agree to have their eyeballs scanned.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-66383325
10. What are some AI headlines this week?
African tech startups take aim at AI ‘colonialism’. Called Lelapa AI,
the artificial intelligence research lab means home in southern
Africa's Sotho and Tswana languages – a name that reflects its goal of
building algorithms designed by Africans, for Africans.
https://www.dailysabah.com/business/tech/african-tech-startups-take-aim-at-ai-colonialism
Zoom’s Altered User Policy Language Raises Alarm over Privacy Rights,
Use of User Data in AI
The video conferencing software Zoom has come under fire after it
changed its user policy, opening the door for the company to use
consumer data to train its AI system. Zoom responded to the backlash
Monday by denying the company would use video or chat content for AI
training without consent.
https://www.democracynow.org/2023/8/9/headlines/zooms_altered_user_policy_language_raises_alarm_over_privacy_rights_use_of_user_data_in_ai
Supermarket AI meal planner app suggests a recipe that would create
chlorine gas. Pak ‘n’ Save’s Savey Meal-bot cheerfully created
unappealing recipes when customers experimented with non-grocery
household items.
https://amp.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/10/pak-n-save-savey-meal-bot-ai-app-malfunction-recipes
Data from the UK's Electoral Commission breach could allow rogue
actors to create AI-generated messages in effort to manipulate
elections.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/aug/09/hacked-uk-electoral-commission-data-target-voter-disinformation-warn-expert
Openness & AI: Fostering Innovation and Accountability in the EU’s AI Act
Read Mozilla’s commentary and outlined internet policy in relation to
the EU’s AI Act.
https://blog.mozilla.org/en/mozilla/internet-policy/eu-ai-act/
11. This is a Reminder That You’re Probably Oversharing on Venmo
The mobile wallet service is a cautionary tale of how apps born a
decade ago or more may be exposing more information than you would
like.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/09/technology/personaltech/venmo-privacy-oversharing.html
12. Analysts Say Use of Spyware During Conflict is Chilling
The use of sophisticated spyware to hack into the devices of
journalists and human rights defenders during a period of conflict in
Armenia has alarmed analysts. A joint investigation by digital rights
organizations, including Amnesty International, found evidence of the
surveillance software on devices belonging to 12 people, including a
former government spokesperson.
https://www.voanews.com/a/analysts-say-use-of-spyware-during-conflict-is-chilling-/7215333.html
_________________________________________________
### 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
Karibu New Realities Grant
Karibu
August 16, 2023
https://www.karibu.no/karibu-new-realities-grant/apply/
Data Futures Lab Infrastructure Fund
Mozilla
Deadline: August 31, 2023
https://foundation.mozilla.org/en/data-futures-lab/grantmaking/infrastructure-fund/
FOSS United
https://fossunited.org/grants
Digital Rights Research Grant
PrivacyCo
Deadline: Rolling
https://www.top10vpn.com/research-grant/
Sovereign Tech Fund
Deadline: Rolling
https://sovereigntechfund.de/en/applications/
Incident Emergency Fund
Digital Defenders Partnership
Deadline: Rolling Basis
https://www.digitaldefenders.org/incident-emergency-fund/
Safety Net Fund
Deadline: Ongoing
https://wphfund.org/whrds-safety-net/
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/
Urgent Action Fund - Asia & Pacific
Deadline: Rolling
https://www.uafanp.org/our_grants
Open Briefing’s Responsive Assistance
Deadline: Rolling Basis
https://www.openbriefing.org/support/referral/
_________________________________________________
### Events Calendar ###
Asia Meetup
August 16, 2023 (new date)
4:30am EDT / 8:30am UTC
Online
https://wiki.digitalrights.community/index.php?title=August_9_2023,_Asia_Meetup
Freedom Not Fear
September 1- 4, 2023
Brussels
https://freedomnotfear.org
DWeb+CoolabCamp
September 7-10, 2023
Brazil
https://dwebcamp.coolab.org
Virtual School on Internet Governance
September 4 - November 25, 2023
Online
https://www.virtualsig.org/2023/05/30/vsig-registration-now-open/
The Global Gathering
Team CommUNITY
September 15 - 17, 2023
Portugal
https://www.digitalrights.community/blog/announcing-team-communitys-global-gathering
Digital Sovereignty Conference
October 24 - 26, 2023
Ljubljana, Slovenia
https://disco.si
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
✎ Operations Officer | CIVICUS
+ Johannesburg, South Africa
https://www.civicus.org/index.php/get-involved/work-with-us/6494-operations-officer
✎ Sustainability Policy Lead Asia-Pacific | Microsoft
+ Hybrid/Multiple Locations
https://jobs.careers.microsoft.com/global/en/job/1595767/Sustainability-Policy-Lead%2C-Asia-Pacific
✎ Senior Data Scientist | Consumer Reports
+ New York, Connecticut or Washington D.C., USA
https://jobs-consumers.icims.com/jobs/5342/sr-data-scientist-%28innovation-lab%29/job
✎ Head of Experimental Engineering | Consumer Reports
+ New York, Connecticut or Washington D.C., USA
https://jobs-consumers.icims.com/jobs/5343/head-of-experimental-engineering/job
✎ Research Engineer | Consumer Reports
+ New York, Connecticut or Washington D.C., USA
https://jobs-consumers.icims.com/jobs/5338/research-engineer-%28innovation-lab%29/job
✎ AI Audit and Accountability Contributor | PolicyLab Africa
+ Remote
https://bit.ly/3qhJAcx
✎ Campaign Manager | AW AlgorithmWatch gGmbH
+ Berlin, Germany
https://algorithmwatch.org/de/job-senior-campaign-managerin-2023/
✎ IT Engineer | Simula LLC
+ Remote
https://www.developmentaid.org/jobs/view/1386348/it-engineer?useNavigation=true
✎ Junior Information Assurance Analyst | Simula LLC
+ Remote
https://www.developmentaid.org/jobs/view/1386343/junior-information-assurance-analyst-talent-acquisition?useNavigation=true
✎ Senior Accountant | Wikimedia Foundation
+ Remote
https://grnh.se/5585c8171us
✎ Final Evaluator | Internews Internet Freedom & Resilience Team
+ Remote
https://phf.tbe.taleo.net/phf04/ats/careers/v2/viewRequisition?org=INTERNEWS&cws=38&rid=2097
✎ Digital Threat Researcher | Internews Internet Freedom & Resilience Team
+ Remote
https://phf.tbe.taleo.net/phf04/ats/careers/v2/viewRequisition?org=INTERNEWS&cws=38&rid=2096
If you feel like sending some digital glitter our way, or need further
assistance, feel free to reply to this message.
_________________________________________________
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(((Hugs & light)))
--
Team CommUNITY at ARTICLE 19
www.digitalrights.community
Organizers of the Global Gathering
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