Digital Rights Weekly | August 14 - 18

Tue Aug 22 15:50:05 CEST 2023

Hello Digital Rights Defenders!

Here is your weekly update on digital rights around the world for the
week of August 14 - 18. 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!!

These are the last briefs from the 2022-2023 community leads cohort.
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!

This month you can find information on loan apps in Mexico, a
comparative evaluation of cybercrime laws in the MENA region, updates
about digital security training in Sub-Saharan Africa, plus plenty of
job opportunities in the Asian digital rights space.

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

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### Digital Rights in the Community ###

1. The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Employee Psychological Safety

Tune in on a discussion on the intersection of artificial intelligence
applications in the workplace and related outcomes for employees
during this workshop. This panel of experts will share their expertise
in research and practical applications of human-AI interactions and
the impacts on the employee experience, psychological safety,
workplaces, and business outcomes. August 23, 2023. 11am-2pm ET. Read
more and register here:

https://www.apa.org/events/2023/employee-psychological-safety

2. Greentech Europe 2023 - Accelerator for women-led startups

Greentech Europe 2023 is an accelerator for women-led startups in
Europe working on sustainability products. The program will provide
the selected startups with timely training, expert advice, network
support, and potential funding to allow them to thrive – and in turn
help close the gender financing and resource gap in the region.
Deadline: September 11, 2023.

https://vilcap.com/programs/greentech-europe-2023

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### Digital Rights Resources ###

1. AI is Changing Every Aspect of Psychology - Here’s What to Watch For

Psychologists and their skills are irreplaceable, but thoughtful and
strategic implementation of AI is crucial.

https://www.apa.org/monitor/2023/07/psychology-embracing-aihttps://www.apa.org/monitor/2023/07/psychology-embracing-ai

2. Steps for Safeguarding Your Intellectual Property in the Digital Era

How can you protect and monetize your intellectual property in the
digital age? Savvy creators can benefit from a few simple but
essential steps to safeguard intellectual property and effectively
monetize it.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2023/08/11/steps-for-safeguarding-your-intellectual-property-in-the-digital-era/?sh=2e40ae7843ec

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

1. Jeopardizing Digital Rights in Jordan

Jordan’s controversial new cybercrime law, now ratified by the king,
may have serious consequences for freedom of expression, political
participation, and the digital economy.

https://carnegieendowment.org/sada/90374

Jordan’s new Cybercrime Law is especially a disaster for LGBT people
-- vague provisions threaten free expression around gender and
sexuality.

https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/08/14/jordans-new-cybercrime-law-disaster-lgbt-people

2. Digital Rights & Nigeria’s 2023 General Election

The 2023 Nigerian elections witnessed an unprecedented surge in
political discourse on social media platforms. Citizens exercised
their right to freedom of expression, engaging in vibrant discussions
on political matters. Nevertheless, aftermaths of the #EndSARS
protests highlighted the challenge of striking a balance between
safeguarding freedom of expression and regulating hate speech and
misinformation.

https://thenationonlineng.net/digital-rights-and-2023-general-election/

3. How Internet Shutdowns Wreak Havoc in India

The state government, led by the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya
Janata Party (BJP), says it shut off the internet to curb rumors and
disinformation and quell the violence. But digital rights activists
say there is no evidence that turning the internet off helped keep
anyone safe—and that the move may have even fueled violence.

https://time.com/6304719/india-internet-shutdowns-manipur/

4. The Implication of Internet Censorship on Iran’s Digital Economy

A study from Comparitech, a British non-governmental organization
focusing on security and the private sector, ranks Iran second only to
China in social media censorship. Furthermore, Iran is the third
nation, following North Korea and China, to enforce stringent internet
restrictions globally. These constraints, combined with an economic
downturn, have generated a unique and difficult landscape for Iran’s
online businesses.
https://irannewsupdate.com/news/economy/the-implications-of-internet-censorship-on-irans-digital-economy/

5. TikTok Is Letting People Shut Off Its Infamous Algorithm—and Think
for Themselves

TikTok is making its algorithm optional for users in the European
Union. But more legal and design changes are necessary to protect
people's right to "cognitive liberty."

https://www.wired.com/story/tiktok-has-started-to-let-people-think-for-themselves/
(paywall)

6. China Changing Its Stance on Facial Recognition?

A draft ruling includes directives not to use facial recognition
technology to disrupt social order, endanger national security, or
infringe on the rights of individuals and organizations. CAC also
noted that facial recognition tech must be used only when
non-biometric measures won’t do.

https://techhq.com/2023/08/why-is-china-is-changing-its-stance-on-facial-recognition-after-decades-of-surveillance/

7. These Women Tried To Warn Us About AI

Today the risks of artificial intelligence are clear — but the warning
signs have been there all along.

https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/women-warnings-ai-danger-risk-before-chatgpt-1234804367/

8. ‘Are you kidding, carjacking?’ – The problem with facial
recognition in policing

When a pregnant Black woman was falsely arrested, she fought back.
Here’s what happened next.

https://www.theguardian.com/newsletters/2023/aug/15/techscape-facial-recognition-software-detroit-porcha-woodruff-black-people-ai

9. Companies are Collecting Your Personal Data

Euronews takes an in-depth look at what personal data is and how it is
collected in the EU.

https://www.euronews.com/next/2023/08/14/companies-are-collecting-your-personal-data-heres-what-to-know

10. Vice Blocked News Stories That Could Offend Saudi Arabia

Vice has repeatedly blocked news stories that could offend the Saudi
government, leaving its reporters unsure if they are still able to
report freely on the kingdom’s human rights abuses. The media company
recently signed a lucrative partnership deal with the MBC Group, a
media company controlled by the Saudi government, to establish a joint
venture in the Middle Eastern country.

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2023/aug/15/vice-blocked-news-stories-that-could-offend-saudi-arabia-insiders-say

11. TikTok Ban in Montana Draws Pushback from Digital Rights Backers

The American Civil Liberties Union and the Electronic Frontier
Foundation joined tech industry groups and TikTok creators in opposing
Montana’s broad ban of the popular Chinese-owned short-video app.

https://news.bloomberglaw.com/ip-law/tiktok-ban-in-montana-draws-pushback-from-digital-rights-backers

12. Musk Accuses Australia’s ABC of Embracing Censorship After It Shut
Down X/Twitter Accounts

Platform owner appears to be reacting to the public broadcaster’s
focus on rivals YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/aug/10/elon-musk-abc-australia-x-twitter-response-censorship-exits-shuts-down-accounts

The social media giant filed a lawsuit against a nonprofit that
researches hate speech online. It’s the latest effort to cut off the
data needed to expose online platforms’ failings. X is trying to sue
its way out of accountability.

https://www.wired.com/story/twitter-x-ccdh-lawsuit-data-crackdown/

Elon Musk’s Unmatched Power in the Stars: the tech billionaire has
become the dominant power in satellite internet technology - there are
over 4,500 Starlink satellites orbiting Earth. The ways he is wielding
that influence are raising global alarms.

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/07/28/business/starlink.html

13. The First Amendment Should Protect Us from Facial Recognition
Technologies -- Not the Other Way Around
To build its facial recognition database, Clearview AI has scraped
over 30 billion images (and counting) from the Internet by using
algorithms to automatically and indiscriminately gather large amounts
of information without getting individuals’ or platforms’ consent.
Clearview AI has attempted to immunize itself from liability by
arguing that its business model for developing and deploying its
facial recognition technology is “speech” protected by the First
Amendment.

https://techpolicy.press/the-first-amendment-should-protect-us-from-facial-recognition-technologies-not-the-other-way-around/

14. Congress Amended KOSA, But It's Still A Censorship Bill

A key Senate committee voted to move forward one of the most dangerous
bills we’ve seen in years: the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA). EFF has
opposed the Kids Online Safety Act, S. 1409, because it’s a danger to
the rights of all users, both minors and adults. The bill requires all
websites, apps, and online platforms to filter and block legal speech.
It empowers state attorney generals, who are mostly elected
politicians, to file lawsuits based on content they believe will be
harmful to young people.

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2023/08/congress-amended-kosa-its-still-censorship-bill

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### 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

Data Futures Lab Infrastructure Fund
Mozilla
Deadline: August 31, 2023
https://foundation.mozilla.org/en/data-futures-lab/grantmaking/infrastructure-fund/

Greentech Europe 2023 - Accelerator for women-led startups
Village Capital
Deadline: September 11, 2023
https://vilcap.com/programs/greentech-europe-2023

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/
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### Events Calendar ###

The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Employee Psychological Safety
August 23, 2023
11am-2pm ET
Online
https://www.apa.org/events/2023/employee-psychological-safety

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
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### 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

✎ Grants and Contracts Manager | Access Now
+  New York, USA (Remote)
https://accessnow.bamboohr.com/careers/186

✎ Operations Officer | CIVICUS
+  Johannesburg, South Africa
https://www.civicus.org/index.php/get-involved/work-with-us/6494-operations-officer

✎ Consultancy to analysis of the CBP One mobile app | Amnesty International
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7094378836582129664/

✎ Senior Finance Officer - Belgium | Access Now
+  Brussels, Belgium
https://accessnow.bamboohr.com/careers/187

✎ Deputy General Counsel | Access Now
+  Berlin, Brussels, San José CR, Toronto, Wash DC, New York
https://accessnow.bamboohr.com/careers/192

✎ Grants and Partnerships Manager for Latin America and the Caribbean
| International Fund for Public Interest Media
+  Flexible within the region; work will be remote
https://ifpim.bamboohr.com/careers/27

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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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
Organizers of the Global Gathering
PGP: 2E1D CC33 A362 0BD6 236E  540A F60A 89AD 6FF9 7A2F

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