Digital Rights Weekly | May 20 - 24

[Team CommUNITY]

Hello Digital Rights Defenders!

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

____________________________________________

### Team CommUNITY (TCU) ###

1. The Community Series | The Calyx Institute: Getting to Know their
Work and Tools that Make Privacy and Security Accessible to Everyone

The Calyx Institute is a unique organization whose mission is to make
privacy and security accessible to everyone through public education
initiatives and developing accessible tools, such as their celebrated
open source, Android-based mobile operating system, CalyxOS. Learn
about Calyx, and other featured Community Series stories:

https://www.digitalrights.community/blog/tag/community+series


2, Upcoming Weekly Town Halls and Regional Meetups

May 29: MENA Regional Meetup
https://wiki.digitalrights.community/index.php?title=May_29_2024,_MENA_Meetup

May 30: Open Technology Fund's Ask-Me-Anything
https://wiki.digitalrights.community/index.php?title=May_30_2024_GM

June 6: The Social Networking Glitter Meetup
https://wiki.digitalrights.community/index.php?title=June_6_2024_GM

June 13: Kwanele's Journey Navigating Ethical Tech for GBV Justice
https://wiki.digitalrights.community/index.php?title=June_13_2024_GM


____________________________________________

### Digital Rights in the Community ##

1. Apply to the Digital Thriving Fellowship Program

Are you a researcher, educator, podcaster, artist, or practitioner
driven by a passion for empowering youth and society to thrive in our
digital world? Then consider applying to Harvard’s Center for Digital
Thriving. The center is now accepting applications for their inaugural
Digital Thriving Fellows program for the 2024 – 2025 academic year.
Deadline: 30 May 2024.

https://digitalthriving.gse.harvard.edu/fellows/


2. Encuentro SudoAmérica en Buenos Aires: 22 y 23 de Noviembre

El encuentro de dos días abierto y gratuito se desarrollará el 22 y 23
de noviembre de 2024, en Buenos Aires, Argentina. El espacio se
enfocará en pensar la tecnología desde una perspectiva crítica,
latinoamericana e interseccional. SudoAmérica es un espacio
interdisciplinario e inclusivo de encuentro, donde converge la
subversión tecno-política del hacking, el arte performático y la
autogestión. Revisa el siguiente link para inscribirte:

https://sud0.org/


3. Call for Papers: Trends & Gaps in the Year One of Digital Markets
Act Applications

Starting from March 7, the gatekeepers designated by the European
Commission under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) are called to comply
with the obligations under this new regulatory framework. Review this
call for papers and research that could help regulators in the
enforcement phase, and research that provides a better understanding
of the legal, economic, and technical challenges and opportunities
linked to current compliance moves. Deadline for abstracts submission:
July 30, 2024.

https://www.article19.org/dma-enforcement-2024/


4. Sada Social Calls for Immediate Investigation into Meta's Leak of
WhatsApp Users' Data to the Israeli Military

Sada Social called for an investigation into Israel's alleged use of
WhatsApp user data to target Palestinians with its AI system,
Lavender. The group accused Meta, which owns WhatsApp, of fueling "the
'Lavender' artificial intelligence system used by the Israeli military
to kill Palestinian individuals within the Gaza enclave."

https://www.commondreams.org/news/meta-ai-whatsapp

Sada Social Center is a Palestinian digital rights group that monitors
and documents digital violations against Palestinian content, as well
as work to support Palestinian digital rights.

https://sada.social/post/sd-soshal-ydaao-l-thkyk-aaagl-ofory-ltsryb-myta-byanat-mstkhdmy-oatsab-l-algysh-alsrayly


5. Civil Society Reject ‘Draconian’ Defamation Bill in Pakistan

More than 80 civil society organizations and journalists have voiced
their concern about the grave implications of the Defamation Bill,
2024 on freedom of speech in Pakistan. The bill was  passed by the
Punjab Assembly amid strong protest from opposition lawmakers and
journalists bodies, whose proposed amendments and request for a delay
in voting on it were rejected.

https://digitalrightsmonitor.pk/pakistan-civil-society-journalists-reject-draconian-defamation-bill/


6. Reports from Our Community

a) The Digital Border: Migration, Technology & Inequality

Amnesty International released a report on how migration fits into an
intersectional framework of technology, inequality, and human rights.
The report outlines how uses of new technology are central to a trend
of violations of human rights at borders around the world. It also
provides an outline of forms of technology used by states and
non-state actors in migration management and asylum systems.

https://www.amnestyusa.org/reports/the-digital-border-migration-technology-and-inequality/


b) 2024 Social Media Safety Index

Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD)’s 2024 Social Media
Safety Index report provides an overview of the current state of LGBTQ
social media safety, privacy, and expression. In the 2024 SMSI
Platform Scorecard, while some platforms have shown improvements in
their scores and others have fallen, overall the scores remain
abysmal, with all platforms other than TikTok receiving F grades
(TikTok reached a D+).

https://glaad.org/smsi/2024/summary-conclusions-reccomendations-methodology/

GLAAD aims to increase media accountability and community engagement
that ensures authentic LGBTQ stories are seen, heard, and actualized.

https://www.globalexpressionreport.org/


c) The Dubious Legality of Internet Shutdowns in Iran

In April 2024, Filter Watch published an analysis exploring the
contentious week-long internet shutdown in Iran during November 2019.
The country’s Former Minister of Communications Mohammad-Javad Azari
Jahromi claims the week-long inter shutdown was legally executed under
a National Security Council resolution, despite Iranian law providing
no authority for such drastic measures. This article examines the
apparent contradictions in Jahromi’s statements and scrutinizes the
legal frameworks surrounding internet disruptions.

https://filter.watch/en/2024/04/26/no-law-permits-internet-disconnection/

________________________________________________

### Digital Rights Community Resources ###

1. Myanmar’s Digital Dictatorship

Find all the resources related to fighting the digital dictatorship in
Myanmar. Since Myanmar’s military Junta seized power via a violent and
deadly coup in 2021, they have escalated online and offline attacks,
perpetuated war crimes, and violated the human rights of citizens.
Access Now calls on the international community to stand with
Myanmar’s resistance, offering not just solidarity, but concrete
resources and support in the fight against digital oppression.

https://www.accessnow.org/myanmar/


2. Deconstructing Disinformation for Beginners

Misinformation and disinformation are two terms known to be associated
with risks and threats persisting from the weaponization of the
Internet, particularly social media platforms. This article gives a
brief overview on disinformation and deconstructs the elements that
embolden those who spread it. It also provides a brief outlook on how
disinformation breeds other forms of virtual threats that spill over
into the real-time events.

https://digitalrightsmonitor.pk/deconstructing-disinformation-for-beginners/


3. Evaluating Digital Open Source Imagery: a Guide for Judges,
Decision Makers & Fact-Finders

Digital open source information is increasingly used as evidence
before domestic and international courts, human rights bodies, and
fact-finding bodies. This guide is organized around a number of issues
that fact-finding bodies may need to address in their evaluation of
open source information, including determining the authenticity of the
digital image, and analyzing relevant metadata, source, location, and
time information. Available for download in English, French, Spanish,
Ukrainian, and Arabic.

https://www.trueproject.co.uk/osguide

________________________________________________

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


1. Undisclosed WhatsApp Vulnerability Lets Governments See Who You Message

In March, WhatsApp’s security team issued an internal warning to their
colleagues: despite the software’s powerful encryption, users remained
vulnerable to a dangerous form of government surveillance. The
contents of conversations among the app’s 2 billion users remain
secure, but government agencies were “bypassing our encryption” to
figure out which users communicate with each other, the membership of
private groups, and perhaps even their locations.

https://theintercept.com/2024/05/22/whatsapp-security-vulnerability-meta-israel-palestine/


2. Meta Approved Political Ads in India that Incited Violence

Meta approved a series of AI-manipulated political adverts on Facebook
and Instagram during India’s election that spread disinformation and
incited religious violence. Facebook approved adverts containing known
slurs towards Muslims in India.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/may/20/revealed-meta-approved-political-ads-in-india-that-incited-violence


3. On Eve of Mexico’s Elections, Threats to Freedom of Expression Online Grow

On June 2, México will elect the country’s new president and Congress.
Efforts to safeguard election integrity must first and foremost
safeguard citizens’ right to access information about political
parties and candidates, and allow everyone – including journalists and
ordinary citizens – to freely participate in public debate online.
There is a real concern that on the eve of elections in Mexico, this
right is under threat.

https://www.techpolicy.press/on-eve-of-mexicos-elections-threats-to-freedom-of-expression-online-grow/


4. U.S. Codifies Sanctions Exemption Which Would Support Iranians’
Internet Access

The Biden administration amended federal regulations to exempt
internet communications services from Iran sanctions, allowing
Iranians to access certain American software, hardware and services.
The existing ‘sanctions waiver’ was granted by the US Treasury in
September 2022, as thousands across Iran took to the streets following
the death in custody of the 22-year old Mahsa Amini. The waiver was
codified last week.

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202405187979

ARTICLE 19 welcomes this decision to codify the waiver and has
advocated for provisions to ensure U.S. sanctions do not hinder access
to technology that could help empower civil society in Iran,
especially as people in Iran face insurmountable hurdles of
censorship, surveillance, internet disruptions and shutdowns enacted
by the Islamic Republic.

https://www.article19.org/resources/us-iran-tech-sanction-exemptions-federal-regulation/


5. NGOs Warn Elon Musk that Starlink Internet Shutdown in Sudan will
Punish Millions

In an appeal to the American billionaire, nearly 100 humanitarian,
civil society, human rights organizations and members of the #KeepItOn
coalition has highlighted the critical role Starlink plays as a
lifeline for on-the-ground organizations operating in Sudan. They warn
that interrupting the service could have fatal consequences.

https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/article/2024/may/16/starlink-internet-shutdown-in-sudan-will-punish-millions-elon-musk-warned


6. Anti-LGBTQ Censorship is Endangering Trans People Behind Bars

People in prisons have extremely limited access to information,
including the Internet. Trans people are also impacted by restrictions
in accessing critical health information. For example, “Trans Bodies,
Trans Selves,” a basic trans textbook-like health educational
resource, which is explicitly banned from prisons in eight U.S.
states.

https://truthout.org/articles/anti-lgbtq-censorship-is-endangering-trans-people-behind-bars/


7. Op-ed: How US Big Tech Supports Israel’s AI-Powered Genocide & Apartheid

As an extension of US imperial power, US tech corporations are eager
to support Israeli atrocities. Just as they did in 20th-century South
Africa, today’s largest US-based technology corporations see an
opportunity to profit from Israeli apartheid – a by-product of
US-driven digital colonialism.

https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2024/5/12/how-us-big-tech-supports-israels-ai-powered-genocide-and-apartheid

_________________________________________________

### 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://wiki.digitalrights.community/index.php?title=Fundraising_Opportunities

Digital Freedom Fund
Grant for strategic litigation to advance digital rights
Apply between May 20 & July 15, 2024
https://digitalfreedomfund.org/grants/

Digital Thriving Fellowship Program
Center for Digital Thriving
Deadline: May 30, 2024
https://digitalthriving.gse.harvard.edu/fellows/

Software Developing Grant
Deadline: May 31, 2024
https://pr05.formstack.com/forms/pr05_grant

North Korea Information Technology Incubator (NKITI) Program
Deadline: May 31, 2024
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeaGp96ALLj9gKcJYcHwDFSF1A3QD9c9kU-NVHZOoFhGgLOdw/viewform

NGI Zero Commons Fund - Reclaim the Public Nature of the Internet
Deadline: June 1, 2024, 12:00 CEST (noon)
https://nlnet.nl/commonsfund

Digital Rights & Commons Initiatives
Deadline: June 28, 2024
https://4d.cat/convocatoria/en/home/

Female EdTech Fellowship Europe
Deadline: July 22, 2024
https://www.edtech-fellowship.eu/

Digital Rights Fund for WANA Region
Deadline: Rolling
SMEX
https://smex.org/digital-rights-fund/

FOSS United
Deadline: Rolling
https://fossunited.org/grants

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 ###

MENA Meetup
Team CommUNITY
May 29, 2024
10am EDT / 2pm UTC
Online
https://wiki.digitalrights.community/index.php?title=May_29_2024,_MENA_Meetup

Open Technology Fund's Ask-Me-Anything (Glitter Meetup)
Team CommUNITY
May 30, 2024
9am EDT / 1pm UTC
Online
https://wiki.digitalrights.community/index.php?title=May_30_2024_GM

Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) for Scenario-Based Digital Security Training
Internews
May 30, 2024
9am EDT / 1pm UTC
Online
https://forms.office.com/r/BAGHE8Q47F

Palestine Digital Activism Forum (PDAF 2024)
7amleh
June 4 & 5, 2024
https://pdaf.net/

Social Networking Glitter Meetup
Team CommUNITY
June 6, 2024
9am EDT / 1pm UTC
Online
https://wiki.digitalrights.community/index.php?title=June_6_2024_GM

SplinterCon
equalitie
June 12 & 13, 2024
Brussels
https://splintercon.net/participate-brussels/

Kwanele's Journey Navigating Ethical Tech for GBV Justice (Glitter Meetup)
Team CommUNITY
June 13, 2024
9am EDT / 1pm
Online
https://wiki.digitalrights.community/index.php?title=June_13_2024_GM

What is Happening in Digital Rights Around the World? (Glitter Meetup)
Team CommUNITY
June 20, 2024
9am EDT / 1pm UTC
Online
https://wiki.digitalrights.community/index.php?title=June_20_2024_GM

Digital Rights in the Asia-Pacific Assembly
EngageMedia
August 18 & 19 2024
Taipei, Taiwan
Deadline: June 15, 2024
https://engagemedia.org/2024/drapac24-taipei/

2024 Digital Rights Summer School
August 25 - 31, 2024
Perast, Montenegro
https://www.sharefoundation.info/en/apply-for-the-2024-digital-rights-summer-school/

13th Edition of RightsCon
Access Now
February 2025
East Asia and online
Deadline: June 2, 2024
https://www.rightscon.org/program/

Encuentro SudoAmérica
22 y 23 de Noviembre
Buenos Aires, Argentina
https://sud0.org/


Check out a list of our virtual events here:
https://wiki.digitalrights.community/index.php?title=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

✎ Digital Rights Advisor & Civic Technology Advisor | IREX Digital
Citizenship Lab
+ Remote
https://recruiting.ultipro.com/INT1065INRE/JobBoard/86f30819-0126-446a-84bb-cf37a5e878c1/OpportunityDetail?opportunityId=83dacaca-2aa7-43db-b847-78fd26dae233

✎ Financial Analyst (Temporary Contract) | Wikimedia Foundation
+ Remote
https://grnh.se/475b567d1us

✎ Finance Project Manager | Wikimedia Foundation
+ Remote
https://grnh.se/680b20011us

✎ Research Library Fellow | Wikimedia Foundation
+ Remote
https://grnh.se/e5dc3a141us

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

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