Digital Rights Weekly | September 2 - 6

Fri Sep 6 03:05:01 CEST 2024

Hello Digital Rights Defenders!

Here is your weekly update on digital rights around the world for the
week of September 2 - 6. As a reminder, you can submit your news for
the newsletter here:
https://www.digitalrights.community/weekly-newsletter
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### Team CommUNITY (TCU) ###

1. This newsletter will be on pause from September 23 to October 5. We
will resume the week of October 8.

2. Conexo - Getting to Know Their Work Fostering Security and Advanced
Tech Skills in LATAM and Beyond

Conexo works with high-risk groups providing diverse types of security
support services, organizational security audits and training to
groups so they can effectively mitigate security risks. This includes
NGOs, LGBTQ+ networks, independent media, and human rights defenders.
We talked with Mario Felaco, Conexo’s executive director and security
specialist, to learn more about their amazing work and how they are
supporting the broader digital rights field. This dispatch is part of
our Community Series, which features stories about the amazing people
and projects bringing glitter and magick to the digital rights
community:

https://www.digitalrights.community/blog/community-series-conexo

3. Next Digital Rights Town Halls in September!

Sept. 12 | The Digital Rights Monopoly: Discussing Gamification as a
Tool for Digital Literacy
https://wiki.digitalrights.community/index.php?title=September_12_2024_GM

Sept. 19 | What is Happening in Digital Rights Around the World?
https://wiki.digitalrights.community/index.php?title=September_19_2024_GM

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### Digital Rights in the Community ###

1. Digital Public Infrastructure Journalism Fellowship

The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) is launching Phase II of
the Digital Public Infrastructure Journalism Fellowship Programme.
This initiative aims to elevate public awareness, stimulate debates,
foster inclusivity, and encourage participation and uptake of Digital
Public Infrastructure and Digital Public Goods issues across West
Africa. The fellowship seeks to host a cohort of 60 experienced
journalists from Benin, Ghana, Nigeria, and Togo. Selected journalists
will participate in a three-month fellowship from November 2024 to
January 2025. Deadline to apply: September 24, 2024.

https://mfwa.org/call-for-applications-mfwa-dpi-journalism-fellowship-phase-ii/

2. MyData Awards: Make a nomination for the MyData Awards 2024-2025

Do you know a person or organization who is shifting the power of data
back to the people? Someone driving transparency, accountability, and
innovation in the digital world?
The MyData Awards recognize work being done to build a better data
future in which individuals have more control and agency over their
personal data. Nominations must be submitted by September 30, 2024:

https://mydataglobal.typeform.com/nominate

3. Guardián Digital: La Nueva Herramienta de Inteligencia Artificial
Para Periodistas

Guardian Digital es un asistente virtual gratuito basado en
inteligencia artificial creado bajo el marco del Proyecto Salama. Su
objetivo es brindar respuestas rápidas y precisas a dudas relacionadas
con la seguridad digital. Este asistente ofrece recomendaciones
personalizadas y prácticas sobre cómo proteger dispositivos, redes,
datos y comunicaciones. Su propósito es ayudar a los periodistas a
enfrentar los riesgos digitales de manera informada, proactiva y
accesible, y también va a ser de gran utilidad para activistas.

Guardián Digital: chatgpt.com/g/g-ztxgCXUHb-guardian-digital

Para más contexto sobre su uso:
https://periodistasenriesgo.net/guardian-digital-la-nueva-herramienta-de-inteligencia-artificial-para-periodistas/

4. Reports from Our Community

a) South Korea’s Digital Sex Crime Deepfake Crisis

South Korea faces an epidemic of digital sex crimes, hundreds of women
and girls targeted through deepfake sexual images being shared online.
The number of reported deepfake cases alone has soared from 156 in
2021 to 297 as of July this year, and one group sharing these images
reportedly has 220,000 members.

https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/08/29/south-koreas-digital-sex-crime-deepfake-crisis

b) The War on Gaza: An Analytical Reading of the Consequences and
Impacts on Digital Safety among Palestinian Youth

7amleh - The Arab Center for the Advancement of Social Media published
a position paper analyzing potential effects of Israel’s digital
violations, which have eroded the sense of security among Palestinian
youth, while also reflecting on the stance of human rights
organizations on the issue. The paper also covers the severe
consequences of weaponizing modern technology to serve the Israeli
military establishment.

https://7amleh.org/2024/09/03/position-paper-titled-the-war-on-gaza-an-analytical-reading-of-the-consequences-and-impacts-on-digital-safety-among-palestinian-youth-en

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### Community Resources ###

1. The Data Works’ Inquiry Research Project

The Data Workers’ Inquiry is a community-based research project in
which data workers lead their own inquiry in their respective
workplaces. It adapts Marx’s 1880 Workers’ Inquiry to the phenomenon
of data workers who are both essential for contemporary AI
applications yet precariously employed—if at all—and politically
dispersed. Explore the inquiries below:

https://data-workers.org/

2. Malaysia's New Social Media Licensing Law: FAQ and Its Major
Implications for Free Speech

ARTICLE 19 and the Centre for Independent Journalism prepared some
responses to frequently asked questions surrounding the increased
social media regulations in Malaysia with this new licensing program
and its relationship with freedom of expression. The Malaysian
government recently announced that social media companies would be
required to obtain licenses under the Communications and Multimedia
Act 1998. This development is viewed as a direct attempt to exert
control over social media platforms, which could have far-reaching
implications for the right to freedom of expression as guaranteed by
the Federal Constitution of Malaysia.

https://www.article19.org/resources/malaysia-social-media-licensing/

3. How Bangladesh’s Tech Industry Navigated an Unprecedented Political Crisis

Bangladesh’s tech industry faced unprecedented challenges in July, due
to the sociopolitical instability and the state imposed internet
blackout. Even as internet service has resumed, freelance tech workers
say they will have to deal with the fallout of the internet shutdown
for some time.

https://restofworld.org/2024/bangladesh-internet-blackout-tech-industry/

4. The Race to Make Online Spaces Age-Appropriate

While the internet was not designed with kids in mind, children, teens
and young adults are now spending more time online than ever. Kids and
adolescents play online games, engage in social media, learn through
online modules, and fashion their identities through their online
activities.

https://edri.org/our-work/age-against-the-machine-the-race-to-make-online-spaces-age-appropriate/

5. Backyard Privacy in the Age of Drones

Police departments and law enforcement agencies are increasingly
collecting personal information using drones. The result is that
backyards, which are part of the constitutionally protected curtilage
of a home, are frequently being captured, either intentionally or
incidentally.

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2024/08/backyard-privacy-age-drones

The Electronic Frontier Foundation’s Atlas of Surveillance lists more
than 1500 law enforcement agencies across the US that have been
reported to employ drones. Atlas documents Police Tech in our
communities with open source research:

https://atlasofsurveillance.org/

6. Are Some African Governments Threatened By The Capabilities Of Starlink?

Starlink, the satellite internet service launched by SpaceX, plans to
license its services in more African countries in 2024. Some African
governments are concerned that Starlink could pose a threat to their
sovereignty and stability, especially during election periods.

https://techlabari.com/are-some-african-governments-threatened-by-the-capabilities-of-starlink/

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

1. Judge Orders ‘Immediate Suspension’ of X in Brazil

A Brazilian Supreme Court justice has ordered the full and immediate
suspension of X (formerly Twitter) in the country until all related
court orders are complied with. This includes the payment of fines
totaling 18.5 million reais ($3.28 million) and the nomination of a
legal representative in Brazil.
https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2024/8/30/judge-orders-immediate-suspension-of-x-in-brazil

Surveys showed Brazilians were far more likely to use WhatsApp or
Instagram — even the Chinese video-sharing app Kwai — than X.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/09/03/elon-musk-brazil-x-moraes-starlink/
(need to sign in to read)

Regardless of how many users there are in Brazil, people have flocked
to VPN services to bypass the geo-restrictions and keep accessing X.

https://www.techradar.com/pro/vpn/how-using-a-brazil-vpn-became-an-act-of-protest-against-censorship

2. Telegram CEO's Arrest Fuels Debate on Platform Regulation

France's arrest and investigation of Pavel Durov has triggered a
discussion in the EU, how to hold Telegram accountable. However,
digital rights advocates warn that the case could set a precedent for
countries to force social networks to comply with overly broad or even
unlawful requests.

https://www.dw.com/en/telegram-ceos-arrest-fuels-debate-on-platform-regulation/a-70093528

3. How China’s Internet Police Went from Targeting Bloggers to their Followers

In recent months, followers of influential bloggers have been
interviewed by police as China widens its net of online surveillance.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/sep/02/how-chinas-internet-police-went-from-targeting-bloggers-to-their-followers

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

Digital Public Infrastructure Journalism Fellowship
Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)
Deadline: September 24, 2024
https://mfwa.org/call-for-applications-mfwa-dpi-journalism-fellowship-phase-ii/

MyData Awards
Deadline: September 30, 2024
https://mydataglobal.typeform.com/nominate

Public Interest Technology Fund
Deadline: Rolling
https://pitg.network/fund/

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

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

Open Tech Fund
Deadline: Rolling
https://apply.opentech.fund

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

Apoyos de Respuesta Rápida
Fondo Acción Urgente
Deadline: Rolling
https://fondoaccionurgente.org.co/es/que-hacemos/apoyos-de-respuesta-rapida

Open Briefing’s Responsive Assistance
Deadline: Rolling Basis
https://www.openbriefing.org/support/referral/

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### Events Calendar ###

Technology at the US-Mexico Border: What Communities Need to Know (Webinar)
Amnesty
September 11, 2024
1:30pm ET
https://amnesty-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_s0gGw2UaS-iApFzdq2iwrw#/registration

Outline Community Hub Kick-Off Meetup
Jigsaw, Team CommUNITY
September 12
9am EDT / 1pm UTC
Online
https://digitalrights.formstack.com/forms/outline_community_hub_kick_off_meetup

The Digital Rights Monopoly: Discussing Gamification as a Tool for
Digital Literacy (Glitter Meetup)
Team CommUNITY
September 12, 2024
9am EDT / 1pm UTC
Online
https://wiki.digitalrights.community/index.php?title=September_12_2024_GM

What is Happening in Digital Rights Around the World? (Glitter Meetup)
Team CommUNITY
September 19, 2024
9am EDT / 1pm UTC
Online
https://wiki.digitalrights.community/index.php?title=September_19_2024_GM

FIFAfrica24
September 25-27, 2024
Dakar, Senegal
https://internetfreedom.africa/now-open-call-for-session-proposals-and-travel-support-applications/

4D European Conference
Fundacio Cat & XNet
October 9th, 2024
Barcelona, Spain
https://4d.cat/en/conference/

Digital Investigation Residency
Tactical Tech
November 18-22, 2024
Berlin, Germany
Deadline to apply: August 30, 2024.
https://exposingtheinvisible.org/en/news/call-investigation-institute-2024/

13th Edition of RightsCon
Access Now
February 24-27, 2025
February 2025
East Asia and online
https://www.rightscon.org/registration/

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

✎ DevOps engineer | GlobaLeaks
+ Remote
https://www.globaleaks.org/get-involved/work-with-us/

✎ Deputy Director, Programs & Policy | Oregon Just Transition Alliance
+ Remote, Oregon, USA
https://www.ojta.org/blog/now-hiring-a-deputy-director-of-policy-and-programs

✎ Communications Organizer | Community Power Collective
+ Los Angeles, CA, USA
https://righttothecityalliance.rippling-ats.com/job/837211/community-power-collective-communications-organizer

✎ Foundation Senior Manager, Content Marketing & Storytelling | Internet Society
+ Remote, Virginia USA
https://internetsociety.bamboohr.com/careers/264

✎ Foundation Director, Community Communications | Internet Society
+ Remote, Virginia USA
https://internetsociety.bamboohr.com/careers/260

✎ Policy and Advocacy Manager - Technology Threats and Opportunities | WITNESS
+ Remote
https://witness.bamboohr.com/careers/57

✎ Associate Director - Technology Threats and Opportunities | WITNESS
+ Remote
https://witness.bamboohr.com/careers/56

✎ Asia Pacific Policy Analyst/Counsel (Southeast Asia) | Access Now
+ Location Options: Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Philippines
https://accessnow.bamboohr.com/careers/216?source=aWQ9MjA%3D

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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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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