Digital Rights Weekly | November 20 - 24.

Mon Nov 27 19:00:21 CET 2023

Hello Digital Rights Defenders!

Here is your weekly update on digital rights around the world for the week
of November November 20 - 24. As a reminder, you can submit your news for
the newsletter here: https://www.digitalrights.community/weekly-newsletter

### Team CommUNITY (TCU) ###

1. RSVP Soon For The 2023 VPN Village: It Started This Week!

Join the 2023 VPN Village, a two-week virtual series focused on VPN user
education, and exploring legal, technical and product development
challenges. Make sure to RSVP soon for the following sessions:

Wednesday, November 29 | Advanced Outline Deployments for Resilience and
Scale
https://digitalrights.formstack.com/forms/2vpn2023

Tuesday, December 5 | Growing With the People: How Outline VPN Providers
Adapt to Support Diverse Populations
https://digitalrights.formstack.com/forms/3vpn2023

_________________________________________________

### Digital Rights in the Community ###

1. Meta Should Stop Profiting From Hate

7amleh tested Meta’s content moderation policy’s ability to prohibit hate
speech and incitement in paid advertisements. The investigation highlighted
swift approvals for 19 ads featuring hate speech and incitement in Hebrew
against Arabs and Palestinians. This sheds light on the failure of Meta’s
“automated and manual review”, and the company’s inadvertent financial
gains from the propagation of this rhetoric.

https://7amleh.org/2023/11/21/meta-should-stop-profiting-from-hate

Palestinians are being silenced on Instagram and Facebook through content
removal, shadowbanning, and the deletion of accounts. 7amleh and Fight for
the Future, have brought a group of leading Palestinian and Digital Rights
Group together to launch the official “Meta, Let Palestine Speak” petition:

https://7amleh.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e5414f2d143b501b653ad8d5f&id=5bad2dbfaa&e=ca10836739

2. Digital Civil Society Lab Postdoctoral Fellowship Program 2024-2025

The Digital Civil Society Lab aims to understand and inform civil society
in a digitally dependent world. They are accepting applications for their
2024-25 Postdoctoral Fellowship, offering $75.000 plus benefits for
promising new scholars researching challenges and opportunities for digital
civil society. The application cycle for this cohort will close on January
15, 2024. For full information about the program visit:

https://pacscenter.stanford.edu/research/digital-civil-society-lab/dcsl-post-doctoral-fellowships/

3. Event on New Digital Dilemmas: Resisting Autocrats, Navigating
Geopolitics, Confronting Platforms

Join Carnegie online on November 30, 2023 at 9:00am EST to listen to
thinkers and activists talking about the growing role of technology in
politics and society with insight and analysis aimed at bridging the gap
between local perspectives and global conversations.

https://carnegieendowment.org/2023/11/30/new-digital-dilemmas-resisting-autocrats-navigating-geopolitics-confronting-platforms-event-8200

Check out the rest of their work in the Digital Democracy Network.
https://carnegieendowment.org/specialprojects/digitaldemocracynetwork

4. #KeepItOn in conflict: the human impact of internet shutdowns in Amhara
region, Ethiopia

It’s been over 100 days since Ethiopian authorities cut off mobile internet
services, fixed line internet, and access to social media and
communications platforms including WhatsApp, Facebook, and X (formerly
Twitter) without explanation. It is the second time this year that the
people of Amhara region have been subjected to large-scale, arbitrary
internet disruption.

https://www.accessnow.org/keepiton-in-conflict-the-human-impact-of-internet-shutdowns-in-amhara-region-ethiopia/

5. Reports from Our Community:

a) Human Rights in Digital Environments in Nicaragua

The report focuses on the events that have taken place since 2018, a year
in which huge public protests and demonstrations took place, followed in
turn by a strong governmental reaction.

https://www.derechosdigitales.org/nicaragua-2023-eng/

b) Operating the Propaganda Machine: Social Media Accountability in the
2022 Philippine Election

The research looks into how Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. leveraged
information disorders in social media to win the presidency and solidify
the Marcos family's return to power. The report is part of a comprehensive
5-part series spanning three years, and stands at the forefront of
unraveling the intricate web of social media accountability in Southeast
Asia. Download it here:

https://digitalreach.asia/news/report-operating-the-propaganda-machine-social-media-accountability-in-the-2022-philippine-election-2/

Here the recording of the launch event:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfWs5QGU2l8

________________________________________________

### Digital Rights Resources ###

Digital Directions: Newsletter from National Endowment for Democracy

Check out this bimonthly newsletter on the evolving relationships among
digital technologies, information integrity, and democracy from the
International Forum for Democratic Studies at the National Endowment for
Democracy (NED).

https://www.ned.org/digital-directions-november-2023/

_________________________________________________

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

1. Ecuadorian Human Rights Groups Appeal to Lift Restrictions on Digital
Rights Activist Ola Bini

Human rights groups in Ecuador appealed to the country’s judiciary to lift
restrictions on Ola Bini, the Swedish digital rights activist. He was
declared innocent in January of charges of illegally accessing a computer
system, but still not able to access his bank accounts and travel outside
the country.

https://www.laprensalatina.com/ecuadorian-human-rights-groups-appeal-to-lift-restrictions-on-digital-rights-activist/

2. Internet traffic Grows Sharply in Nepal After TikTok Ban

The growth suggests users are exploring loopholes to bypass national
restrictions and access the platform.

https://asianews.network/internet-traffic-grows-sharply-in-nepal-after-tiktok-ban/

3. Why Meaningful Algorithm Auditing is Key to Protecting Civil Rights in
the Digital Age

A rigorous and holistic discrimination audit of an automated tool can
provide employers information to help them determine whether to adopt a
tool at all, what mitigation measures may be needed, and whether they need
to abandon a tool after adoption.

https://www.aclu.org/news/racial-justice/why-meaningful-algorithm-auditing-is-key-to-protecting-civil-rights-in-the-digital-age

4. Threats, Violence, & Injustices Against Journalists in Ghana

Ghana has previously built a reputation as one of the most media-friendly
countries in Africa and the world, too, with freedoms and rights such as
data protection and privacy enshrined in law. However, assaults on the
press have grown in frequency and severity.

https://advox.globalvoices.org/2023/11/20/silencing-the-press-threats-violence-and-injustices-against-journalists-in-ghana/

5. Berkeley Cyber Experts Train Next Generation of Digital Defenders

A cybersecurity clinic at Berkeley is training the next generation of
experts to help organizations that have limited resources to defend
themselves. The students at the Citizen Clinic provide pro bono services to
organizations in the Bay Area and abroad in countries where human rights
are being violated.

https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/cybersecurity-berkeley-training-online-defense/
Check out the Citizen Clinic for more information on the work they do.

https://cltc.berkeley.edu/program/citizen-clinic/

6. Can Digital Technologies Help to Resolve Debates on Restitution?

Many believe new applications—from AI and NFTs to 3D scanning—are game
changing in returning objects to source communities. Lawyers say they can
make the process harder

https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2023/11/20/can-digital-technologies-help-to-resolve-debates-on-restitution

7. The Fear and Tension That Led to Sam Altman’s Ouster at OpenAI

The ouster of Altman, drew attention to a longtime rift in the AI community
between people who believe AI is the biggest business opportunity in a
generation and others who worry that moving too fast could be dangerous.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/18/technology/open-ai-sam-altman-what-happened.html

Or as the Economist frames it, “doomers and boomers are fighting for AI
dominance”.

https://www.economist.com/business/2023/11/19/the-sam-altman-drama-points-to-a-deeper-split-in-the-tech-world
(paywall)

8. The Council Approves Conclusions on a Social, Green and Digital
Transition

The Foreign Affairs Council, in its development configuration, approved
conclusions on a social, green and digital transition in which reaffirms
the European Union’s and its member states’ commitment to the 2030 Agenda
for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2023/11/21/the-council-approves-conclusions-on-a-social-green-and-digital-transition/

9. Opinion Piece - Time to Enforce: The EU’s Digital Rulebook is On the Line

This article partially draws on the content of a panel discussion that took
place at the annual Computers, Privacy, and Data Protection (CPDP)
conference in Brussels in May of this year.

https://techpolicy.press/time-to-enforce-the-eus-digital-rulebook-is-on-the-line/

10. Opinion: Disinformation is Setting Us On a Dark Path

The profit motives of big tech companies are wreaking havoc on our
democracy. We need the Australian parliament to step in. We need laws to
protect us from billionaires, bigots, shysters and trolls.

https://www.hrlc.org.au/reports-news-commentary/disinformation-is-setting-us-on-a-dark-path

_________________________________________________

### 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

Women’s International League for Peace & Freedom
Deadline: November 26, 2023
https://www.wilpf.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Final-Expression-of-Interest-English.pdf

Commonwealth Africa Cyber Fellowships
Deadline: December 10, 2023
https://thecommonwealth.org/news/applications-open-commonwealth-africa-cyber-fellowships

Digital Freedom Fund
Deadline: February 14, 2024
https://digitalfreedomfund.org/grants/

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 ###

VPN Village: Advanced Outline Deployments for Resilience and Scale
Team CommUNITY
November 29, 2023
8am EST / 1pm UTC
Online
https://digitalrights.formstack.com/forms/2vpn2023

New Digital Dilemmas
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
November 30, 2023
9am EST
Online
https://carnegieendowment.org/2023/11/30/new-digital-dilemmas-resisting-autocrats-navigating-geopolitics-confronting-platforms-event-8200

VPN Village: (Glitter Meetup) Preparing for the 2024 Election and
Addressing Surveillance and Censorship in Tanzania
Team CommUNITY
November 30, 2023
9am EST / 2pm UTC
Online
https://wiki.digitalrights.community/index.php?title=November_30_2023_GM

VPN Village: Growing with the People: How Outline VPN Providers Adapt to
Support Diverse Populations
Team CommUNITY
December 5, 2023
10am EST / 3pm UTC
Online
https://digitalrights.formstack.com/forms/3vpn2023

Glitterest Glitter Meetup
Team CommUNITY
December 7, 2023
9am EST / 2pm UTC
Online
https://wiki.digitalrights.community/index.php?title=December_7_2023_GM
Glitter Meetup: Advancing Digital Rights in Franco-phone Communities,
Africa and MENA
Team CommUNITY
December 14, 2023
9am EST / 2pm UTC
Online
https://wiki.digitalrights.community/index.php?title=December_14_2023_GM

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

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

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

✎ Planned Giving Officer (Principal level role) | Wikimedia Foundation
+ Remote
https://grnh.se/2aa05c8f1us

✎ Senior Financial Analyst | Wikimedia Foundation
+ Remote
https://grnh.se/ec12f2511us

✎ Volunteers | Digispace Africa
+ Remote
https://forms.gle/sCj1AB85SUZTYiw57

✎ Senior User Research & Design Manager | Open Contracting Partnership
+ Remote
http://alltechishuman.org/responsible-tech-job-board

✎ Head of Algorithmic Audits | Eticas
+ Remote
http://eticastech.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/Intranet/EQlz-QIOHoJChYBPBGjXjiUB2Oxrc1vKoR8qDgzy7yCgPQ?e=XmsQ7j

✎ Global (non-USA) Business Development Lead | Eticas
+ Remote in European Union
http://eticastech.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/Intranet/EW_MbWbi10pDlkdaA2GeoTAB0JQDcGKruGzC9i1qdM98VA?e=U0VI52

✎ Human Rights Research & Advocacy Assistant (Paid Internship) | Manushya
Foundation
+ Remote or Bangkok
https://www.manushyafoundation.org/_files/ugd/a0db76_7d845fb13e4b4172a1bb7b912ba4178b.pdf

✎ Human Rights Research & Advocacy Assistant (Paid Internship) | Manushya
Foundation
+ Remote or Bangkok
https://www.manushyafoundation.org/_files/ugd/a0db76_7d845fb13e4b4172a1bb7b912ba4178b.pdf

✎ Product Manager | HURIDOCS
+ Remote
https://ideali.st/EQbhf5

✎ Survivor Services Administrator | Chayn
+ Remote UK based
https://chayn.notion.site/Survivor-Services-Administrator-0ccdf5f1a8624cf1b8896ec77b5b5dee

✎ Survivor Services Faciliator | Chayn
+ Remote UK based
https://chayn.notion.site/Survivor-Services-Facilitator-ed0f5149cfeb44ae80f667ca61bd16d6

✎ Community Engagement International Consultant | Videre est Credere
+ Remote
https://www.idealist.org/en/nonprofit-job/5264d8a936e241ada63068cbb60dca6e-consultant-videre-est-credere-london

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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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

You can now submit your news for the Digital Rights weekly directly.
To post your job opportunities, submit your opportunities to our Job Board.
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