Digital Rights Weekly | December 11 - 15

[Team CommUNITY]

Hello Digital Rights Defenders!

Here is your weekly update on digital rights around the world for the
week of December 11 - 15. As a reminder, you can submit your news for
the newsletter here:
https://www.digitalrights.community/weekly-newsletter

### Team CommUNITY (TCU) ###

1. This Holiday Season: Gift a Safer, Freer, Feminist Internet
AND We will Call Your Family Member of Choice!

This holiday season consider making a donation to our Team CommUNITY’s
Equity Fund! Every donation helps us support the frontline communities
fighting to make the Internet safer and more feminist. Review the
following link and choose your donation amount:

https://www.digitalrights.community/donate


2. Review the 2023 VPN Village Notes!

Our 2023 VPN Village had amazing sessions and speakers! If you weren’t
able to attend, don’t worry because in the following link you can
review the sessions notes on our wiki about the virtual workshop
series focused on the VPN ecosystem, advanced outline deployments, and
more:

https://wiki.digitalrights.community/index.php?title=VPN_Community_Initiative_Village_2023


3. TCU’s Office Holiday Break From December 25 - We Will Be Back on January 8!

The Team CommUNITY’s office will be on holiday break from December 25
to January 4. This means that our Glitter Meetups and Newsletter will
be also on pause during this period. We will be back on Monday January
8. We want to take the opportunity to thank all our staff and featured
guests, and wish you all a great holiday. On Thursday 21, before the
break, come to our Glitterest Glitter Meetup: Until Next Year!

https://wiki.digitalrights.community/index.php?title=December_21_2023_GM

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### Digital Rights in the Community ###

1. Stop Silencing Palestine

The call to Meta to stop its systemic censorship of Palestinian voices
by overhauling its content moderation practices and policies that
continue to restrict content about Palestine is renewed. Two years
after the initial campaign, the demands remain unmet. Given the
ongoing conflict, the urgency for Meta to address the—now
updated—recommendations is greater than ever.

https://stopsilencingpalestine.com/


2. #KeepItOn: DRC’s Government Must Protect Open & Secure Internet and
Social Media Platforms Throughout the 2023 Elections

A global network of over 300 organizations from 105 countries working
to end internet shutdowns appeal to the Democratic Republic of the
Congo (DRC) President Felix-Anoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, to publicly
commit to ensuring that the people of the DRC have unfettered access
to the internet, social media platforms, and all other communication
channels throughout the upcoming general election on December 20.

https://www.accessnow.org/press-release/keepiton-drc-2023-elections/


3. Datafication and Democracy Fund Opportunity

Launch of Data Privacy Brasil in conjunction with the Paradigm
Initiative and the Aapti Institute, of the “Datafication and Democracy
Fund,” aimed at non-profit and non-governmental organizations in the
Global South with active involvement in activities related to politics
and the defense of digital rights. Registration is open until February
29, 2024. Find out more about the fund and how to apply on the
website:

https://conteudos.dataprivacy.com.br/datification-and-democracy-fund-ddf


4. Registrations for #PrivacyCamp24 Are Open!

Every year, European Digital Rights (EDRi) flagship event brings
together over 300 digital rights advocates, activists as well as
academics and policy-makers from all around Europe and beyond to
discuss the most pressing issues facing human rights online. In this
#PrivacyCamp24 will explore the systems that shape the field of
privacy and digital rights – from AI systems to political and
socio-technical systems. Registration is free and necessary for
attending both the in-person event in Brussels and for joining them
online. Deadline: 17 January 2024.

https://privacycamp.eu/registrations-open-and-final-programme-out-now/


5. Call for Mentors and Learners from Infuse!
Are you an experienced digital protector (digital security trainer,
auditor, technologist, etc.) interested in mentoring others? Want to
learn specialized technical expertise? Infuse is looking for Mentors
and Learners to participate in the new Infuse framework, which aims to
assist digital protectors in their efforts to upskill in areas of
specialized technical expertise! Contact: infuse at internews.org

Form for Mentors. Deadline: December 27, 2023:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScZAXtq1SmcLFtG_Bq0Bn4hfoJdQ4lXyJBa0aSD9QZdRNXqbg/viewform

Additionally, financial support and mentorship will be provided to the
learners. They are currently seeking Learner applicants from
Argentina, Brazil, Burundi, Colombia, Ecuador, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria,
Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.

Form for Learners. Deadline: January 19, 2024:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeYBf7AaDwUHcQPSm1leqDAhHfnjFB6woYvRg5wDOr6hT5RXg/viewform


6. Internet Shutdown Game Launched

Learn how to get past an Internet shutdown. The game’s objectives are
to enable a better understanding of internet infrastructure and to
offer strategies to circumvent shutdowns. The game is now available
for download and use by everyone!

Game site: https://shutdowngame.apc.org

Read more about the game here:
https://www.apc.org/en/news/learn-how-get-past-internet-shutdown


7. Join the New Asia AI Governance & Policy Group on LinkedIn

This group focuses on monitoring legislative and regulatory changes in
jurisdictions around Asia. The group is committed to monitoring,
analyzing and developing the burgeoning field of artificial
intelligence, machine learning, algorithmic systems, and emerging
digital economy legislation, regulations, norms, standards and rules
that may impact an array of legal domains, including privacy,
intellectual property, labor rights, and much more. Link here:

https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14353524


8. Take Survey on Greater Internet Freedom in Just 6 Mins

The Greater Internet Freedom (GIF) project at Internews is conducting
a mini-research on information security in Human Rights violations
documentation efforts during 2024. The goals include understanding the
current landscape; making an updated revision of available tools and
technical approaches, focusing on security aspects; and also
generating some guidance about them.

They are distributing a survey targeting any individual or
organization in the Internet Freedom community that documents HR
violations directly and those providing technical support to
organizations in the field that might include documenters of HR
violations. Deadline: January 7, 2024.

https://forms.office.com/r/t6wsydHCUe,


9. Human Rights 75 Pledges and Vision on the Future of Human Rights

Access Now welcomes this opportunity to provide relevant information
to the United Nations (UN) Office of the High Commissioner for Human
Rights to inform the High Commissioner’s Vision on the Future of Human
Rights in the framework of the Human Rights 75 Initiative.

https://www.accessnow.org/press-release/human-75-rights-pledges/


10. Reports from Our Community

a) The Regulatory Compliance of Products with Embedded AI or Other
Digital Technologies

The proposed way forward for governments, published in a UN paper this
week, assert that machines should not trump humans when it comes to
products with embedded AI and other digital technology.

https://unece.org/sites/default/files/2023-12/2023-9-Compliance-AI_Eng.pdf

b)

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

1. Digital Rights in Thailand in ‘Free Fall’, Analysts Say

Thailand elected a new leader in 2023, but the country still has a
long way to go to improve democratic norms, civil society groups say.

https://www.voanews.com/a/7393303.html


2. OONI Community Interviews: Ihueze Nwobilor

Check out OONI’s interview with Ihueze Nwobilor: Senior Programs
Officer with Paradigm Initiative. Through OONI’s partnership with
Paradigm Initiative, they have had the opportunity to collaborate on
several research reports examining internet censorship in Nigeria.

https://ooni.org/post/2023-interview-with-ihueze-nwobilor/


3. EU: Bloc’s Decision to Not Ban Public Mass Surveillance in AI Act
Sets a Devastating Global Precedent

Read Amnesty International's response to the outcome of the EU bloc's
landmark Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act after a tense debate between
European Union member states.

https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2023/12/eu-blocs-decision-to-not-ban-public-mass-surveillance-in-ai-act-sets-a-devastating-global-precedent/

A lot of people aren’t happy with Europe’s new AI Act.
https://fortune.com/2023/12/11/eu-ai-act-criticism-tech-lobbyists-digital-rights/
(paywall)


4. Guise of "Children's Rights" Weakens Internet Privacy Laws and
Increases Mass Surveillance

Lawmakers in both the European Union and the United States use
"children's rights" as a way to disguise their mass surveillance
plans.

https://www.techpolicy.press/guise-of-childrens-rights-weakens-internet-privacy-laws-and-increases-mass-surveillance/


5. Bollywood Star in Lycra or Deepfake? AI on Social Media Takes Toll

There was the Bollywood star in skin-tight lycra, the Bangladeshi
politician filmed in a bikini and the young Pakistani woman snapped
with a man. None were real, but all three images were credible enough
to unleash lust, vitriol, and even allegedly a murder, underlining the
sophistication of generative artificial intelligence and the threats
it poses to women across Asia.

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/12/14/asia-pacific/social-issues/deepfake-ai-social-media-asia/


6. Baltimore Leaders Divulge Five-Year Plan to Address City's Digital Access

Baltimore Mayor announced a new strategy to help city residents have
access to technology and learn how to use it properly.

https://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/baltimore-leaders-divulge-five-year-plan-to-address-citys-digital-access/


7. Los Angeles Could Become First US City To End ‘Digital Discrimination’

Data show some low-income residents in Los Angeles are paying more
than their wealthier neighbors for slower internet service — but no
law prevents service providers from offering higher rates in one
community over another.
https://laist.com/news/politics/los-angeles-could-become-first-us-city-to-end-digital-discrimination


8. Rights for Platform Workers in the EU: Council and Parliament Strike Deal

The Council and the European Parliament have reached a provisional
agreement on a proposed directive to improve working conditions for
platform workers.

https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2023/12/13/rights-for-platform-workers-council-and-parliament-strike-deal/


9. How Will AI Change the World of Work

As the EU seeks to secure a firmer grip on the use of Artificial
Intelligence within the bloc, what does the future hold for businesses
and employees in terms of jobs, skills, management and recruitment.

https://www.euronews.com/business/2023/12/13/how-will-ai-change-the-world-of-work


10. Using AI To Talk to the Dead

Some people are using artificial intelligence chatbots to create
avatars of departed loved ones. It’s a source of comfort for some, but
it makes others a little squeamish.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/11/technology/ai-chatbots-dead-relatives.html


11. OpenAI Leaders Warned of Abusive Behavior Before Sam Altman’s Ouster

This fall, a small number of senior leaders approached the board of
OpenAI with concerns about chief executive Sam Altman. Altman — a
revered mentor, prodigious start-up investor and avatar of the AI
revolution — had been psychologically abusive, the employees alleged,
creating pockets of chaos and delays at the artificial-intelligence
start-up.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/12/08/open-ai-sam-altman-complaints/


12. What Digital Rights Mean for Investor

For many years now tech stocks have been under scrutiny in relation to
the human rights implications of their products and services, with a
focus on the potential for human rights risks or other social harms.
Read about how the rapid development of technology is changing the
approach of fund managers and the role advisers play.

https://www.ftadviser.com/investments/2023/12/14/what-digital-rights-mean-for-investors/


13. Meta’s Offer

Meta has been contesting what constitutes compliance with the General
Data Protection Regulation ever since that law came into force in
2018. With its new offer, Meta artificially lumps together two very
different levels of privacy while offering a service that no one asked
for: one with a high subscription price, tracking, and no ads. Europe
is missing the choice that is the most popular, ‘just right’, option:
advertising based on what a user does on Meta’s site.

https://cepr.org/voxeu/columns/metas-offer

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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

Balkan Media Assistance Program Grant
USAID - Internews
Deadline: December 15, 2023
https://balkansmedia.org/bs/grant/bmap-forward-joint-advocacy-grants-0

Call for Learners from Infuse
Internews, Conexo, DefendDefenders, the Jordan Open Source Association
Deadline: January 19, 2024
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeYBf7AaDwUHcQPSm1leqDAhHfnjFB6woYvRg5wDOr6hT5RXg/viewform

Datafication and Democracy Fund
Data Privacy Brasil, the Paradigm Initiative and the Aapti Institute
Deadline: February 29, 2024
https://conteudos.dataprivacy.com.br/datification-and-democracy-fund-ddf

FOSS United
Deadline: Rolling
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 Feminist Activism
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 ###

Glitterest Glitter Meetup: Until Next Year!
Team CommUNITY
December 21, 2023
9am EST / 2pm UTC
Online
https://wiki.digitalrights.community/index.php?title=December_21_2023_GM

Glitterest Glitter Meetup: Welcome Back!
Team CommUNITY
January 11, 2024
9am EST / 2pm UTC
Online
https://wiki.digitalrights.community/index.php?title=January_11_2024_GM

Asia Meetup
Team CommUNITY
January 16, 2024
7am EST / 12pm UTC
Online
https://wiki.digitalrights.community/index.php?title=January_16_2024,_Asia_Meetup

Virtual School on Internet Governance
Jan 22 - April 13, 2024
Online
https://forms.gle/5G8y3NTVMVHwr3MP8

LATAM Meetup
Team CommUNITY
January 24, 2024
5:30pm EST / 10:30pm UTC
https://wiki.digitalrights.community/index.php?title=24_de_Enero,_2024_LATAM

Africa Meetup
Team CommUNITY
January 25, 2024
10am EST / 3pm UTC
Online
https://wiki.digitalrights.community/index.php?title=January_25_2024,_Africa_Meetup

MENA Meetup
Team CommUNITY
January 25, 2024
12pm EST / 5pm UTC
Online
https://wiki.digitalrights.community/index.php?title=January_25_2024,_MENA_Meetup

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

✎ Feminist Community Engagement Assistant | Manushya Foundation
+ Bangkok, Thailand
https://bit.ly/3RbFagQ

✎ Senior DevOps Engineer | Meedan
+ Remote (GMT up to +2)
https://meedan.bamboohr.com/careers/51

✎ Foundation Executive Director | Eticas Tech
+ Remote
http://eticastech.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/Intranet/Eba38DV-uLBNmD5QzdCGGnMBg6IvtqnmoEeP2HjfJNpmHw?e=Ea8qKB

✎ Senior Program Manager (Digital Safety, Eurasia) | The SecDev Foundation
+ Hybrid based in Ottawa, Canada
https://secdev.bamboohr.com/hiring/jobs/43

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

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