Digital Rights Weekly | February 17 - 21
Team CommUNITY
team at digitalrights.community
Thu Feb 20 17:51:10 CET 2025
Hello Digital Rights Defenders!
Here is your weekly update on digital rights around the world for the
week of February 17 - 21. As a reminder, you can submit your news for
the newsletter here:
https://www.digitalrights.community/weekly-newsletter
NOTE: We are temporarily changing the placement of specific sections in
the newsletter to better respond to members’ current needs. What is in
this issue:
Team CommUNITY
Community News
NEW Job Opportunities
Community Resources
Digital Rights in the Wider World
Statements from our Community
Events Calendar
Grants, Fellowships, & Awards
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### Team CommUNITY (TCU News) ###
____________________________________________
1. We Need 4 Minutes of Your Time – Help Us Plan the 2025 Global Gathering
While Team CommUNITY has been impacted by the recent USG funding freeze,
we are moving forward with hosting the 2025 Global Gathering (GG),
albeit on a different scale than previously planned. This is because we
strongly believe it's more important than ever for the digital rights
community to gather and mobilize around challenges.
Please take this quick survey, which should take less than four minutes
to complete, to help us understand how to make the event a useful tool
that is responsive to your current needs. The GG will take place on
September 8, 9 and 10:
https://digitalrights.formstack.com/forms/2025_global_gathering
2. Upcoming February Digital Rights Town Halls and Regional Meetup
Feb 26 | Digital Rights Africa Meetup
https://wiki.digitalrights.community/index.php?title=February_26_2025,_Africa_Meetup
Feb 27 | The Hong Kong Accountability Archive (Glitter Meetup)
https://wiki.digitalrights.community/index.php?title=February_27_2025_GM
____________________________________________
### Community News ###
____________________________________________
1. Connecting the Unconnected Funding Program
The Connecting the Unconnected funding program aims to support
communities and local organizations working to build and expand Internet
infrastructure to connect people living in rural, remote, and low-income
areas. There are 2 windows during which applications will be accepted:
from 4 February to 31 March 2025, and from 15 July to 27 August, 2025.
https://www.internetsociety.org/funding-areas/connecting-the-unconnected/
2. Call for Proposals on the Effects of the Usage of Digital Technology
The Huo Family Foundation (HFF) announced an open call for proposals for
research on the Effects of the Usage of Digital Technology on Brain
Development, Social Behaviours, and Mental Health in Children and Young
People. Awarded grants can be held at colleges, universities, and
research institutes in the UK and in the US only. Deadline: May 23, 2025.
https://huofamilyfoundation.org/our-grants/funding-opportunities/
3. The GSMA Innovation Fund for Impactful AI
The GSMA Innovation Fund for Impactful AI provides grants and
venture-building designed to support small and growing enterprises in
low and middle-income countries across Africa, South Asia, Southeast
Asia, and the Pacific. The fund aims to accelerate the adoption and
scalability of AI-driven innovations that address critical local
socio-economic and climate challenges. Registration and eligibility
deadline: March 12, 2025. Deadline for submitting pitches: March 19, 2025.
https://www.gsma.com/solutions-and-impact/connectivity-for-good/mobile-for-development/gsma-innovation-fund/the-gsma-innovation-fund-for-impactful-ai/
4. HOPE Tickets and Open Call for Submissions
Hackers on Planet Earth (HOPE) conference will be held August 15 - 17,
2025, on the campus of St. John's University in Queens, New York City.
They currently have an open call for speakers, panels, workshops and more.
https://hope.net/
5. Open Culture Foundation Hosting Events Throughout Taipei During Rightscon
The Open Culture Foundation is one of the most welcoming and impactful
digital rights organizations in Taiwan. They will be hosting numerous
events throughout Taipei during Rightscon. Check out their agenda and
get to know more about Taiwan and East Asia's digital rights work while
discovering the beautiful city:
https://ocf.tw/en/p/rightscon2025/#side-events
6. Join ARTICLE 19 at RightsCon 2025!
During Rightscon, ARTICLE 19 will be hosting and participating in a
range of sessions on topics ranging from free expression in armed
conflict to countering China’s digital repression. Check out their events:
https://www.article19.org/resources/join-article-19-at-rightscon-2025/
7. Mozilla Festival 2025 In Barcelona, Spain
For 15 years, Mozilla Festival has been the home for big ideas, bold
conversations, and the movement for a better internet. This year,
they’re bringing that energy back to Barcelona, and you’re invited to be
a part of it. From November 7-9, they’re gathering the world’s most
curious and creative minds for three days of workshops, debates, and
hands-on collaboration to reimagine the role of technology in our lives.
https://www.mozillafestival.org/en/
8. Reports from Our Community
Cities & Migrants' Rights in the Era of Digitalisation
The paper analyses the impact of the EU Pact on Migrant and Asylum on
migrants' digital rights and the role of local authorities in
integration measures. It shows how the screening procedure and the
Eurodac reform risk increasing surveillance and discriminatory practices
through technology and offers a critical look at the link between asylum
and digital policies.
https://www.fes.de/en/division-for-analysis-planning-and-consulting/articles-apb/fes-diskurs-cities-and-migrants-rights-in-the-era-of-digitalisation
____________________________________________
### NEW Job Opportunities ###
____________________________________________
✎ Digital Threads Consultant | Globalt Fokus
+ Remote
https://globaltfokus.dk/da/nyheder/937-open-call-for-consultants-addressing-digital-threats-against-human-rights-defenders
✎ Community and Events Manager | SUPERRR Lab
+ Berlin, Germany
https://superrr.net/en/blog/hiring-community-events
✎ Operations and People Manager | SUPERRR Lab
+ Berlin, Germany
http://superrr.net/de/blog/hiring-operations
✎ R&D System Developer | Proton AG
+ Remote in Geneva, Zurich, London
https://job-boards.eu.greenhouse.io/proton/jobs/4326944101
✎ Internet Censorship Researchers | Netalitica
+ Remote, based on the countries listed
https://netalitica.com/more-jobs/
✎ Assistant Platform Administrator | KUJA
+ Nairobi, Kenya
https://adesoafrica.org/careers/kuja-assistant-platform-administrator/
✎ Backend Go Developer - Data Infrastructure | Bluesky
+ Remote
https://jobs.gem.com/bluesky/am9icG9zdDojUfV5u9SSp_tydYRdQe9D
✎ System Integrity Engineer | Bluesky
+ Remote
https://jobs.gem.com/bluesky/am9icG9zdDpKxFrHxUQFr8TszfsDCqnJ
✎ Product Designer | Bluesky
+ Remote
https://jobs.gem.com/bluesky/am9icG9zdDoCgZyzX727CGjZ_e54KBqg
✎ Senior Trust and Safety Lead | Bluesky
+ Remote
https://jobs.gem.com/bluesky/am9icG9zdDqd0QSd0hwwvQfMAZNqgJsX
✎ Communications Director | Western States Center
+ Portland, OR, USA
https://app.trinethire.com/companies/179129-western-states-center-inc/jobs/104480-communications-director
✎ Website Design and Development Contractor | Common Defense
+ Not specified
https://commondefense.us/rfp-202502
✎ Senior Manager, Community Engagement | Non-Profit Housing Association
of Northern California
+ Hybrid in San Francisco, CA, USA
https://nonprofithousing.org/tools-resources/jobs/senior-manager-community-engagement/
✎ Communications Director | Partnership for the Future of Learning
+ Remote
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lmBu7s0PtTkvjj76bC5qf1OpqZhjOL2iDueIELVuB4Y/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.6dy2qeb8rbe6
✎ PhD Position in Law, Technology, and Society | University of St.Gallen
+ Switzerland
https://ohws.prospective.ch/public/v1/jobads/d31d8973-a155-4401-9193-f41b15a1e19b
✎ Administrative Assistant | Paradigm Initiative
+ Senegal, Cameroon
https://paradigminitiative.bamboohr.com/careers/47?source=aWQ9MjM%3D
____________________________________________
### Community Resources ###
____________________________________________
1. Manual del Pequeñx Vigiladx: Una Guía Ilustrada Para Resistir la
Vigilancia
Access Now, la Coordinadora contra la Represión Policial e Institucional
en Argentina y la coalición Tire Meu Rosto Da Sua Mira en Brasil,
construyeron el “Manual del Pequenx Vigiladx”, una herramienta en
español y en portugués con información sobre cómo navegar el sistema
judicial y cómo actuar para resistir a las detenciones arbitrarias que
se disparan por el mal funcionamiento de los sistemas de reconocimiento
facial. El artista brasileño Gu Da Cei produjo una serie de obras
artísticas que interpretan su contenido e ilustran la problemática.
https://www.accessnow.org/manual-del-pequenx-vigiladx-una-guia-ilustrada-para-resistir-la-vigilancia/
__________________________________________
### Digital Rights in the Wider World ###
__________________________________________
1. Meta Plans to Link US & India with the World’s Longest Undersea Cable
Project
Meta announced plans to build the world’s longest underwater cable
project, which aims to connect the US, India, South Africa, Brazil and
other regions.The tech company said Project Waterworth involved a 50,000
km subsea cable, which is longer than the Earth’s circumference.
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/feb/17/meta-plans-to-build-worlds-longest-underwater-sub-sea-cable-venture
2. Turkish Court Blocks Journalist’s Social Media Accounts, Citing
‘National Security’
A Turkish court has blocked access to the YouTube, X and Instagram
accounts of a journalist whose focus on Kurdish rights has repeatedly
drawn the hostile attention of the authorities.
https://balkaninsight.com/2025/02/19/turkish-court-blocks-journalists-social-media-accounts-citing-national-security/
3. UK’s Secret Apple iCloud Backdoor Order is a Global Emergency, Say
Critics
In its latest attempt to erode the protections of strong encryption, the
U.K. government has reportedly secretly ordered Apple to build a
backdoor that would allow British security officials to access the
encrypted cloud storage data of Apple customers anywhere in the world.
https://techcrunch.com/2025/02/10/uks-secret-apple-icloud-backdoor-order-is-a-global-emergency-say-critics/
4. Google Calendar Removes Black History Month, Pride & More
Google’s online and mobile calendars no longer include references to
Black History Month, Women’s History Month and LGBTQ+ holidays, among
other events. A Google spokesperson said the listed holidays were not
“sustainable” for their model.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/11/google-calendar-black-history-pride-month
____________________________________________
### Recent Statements from our Community ###
____________________________________________
1. Within Bounds: Limiting AI's Environmental Impact
It is imperative to recognize that AI and its computing infrastructure
are not without cost—they are resource-intensive processes that exert
significant pressure on our already finite natural resources. More than
130 organizations outlined demands offering practical pathways to align
AI within planetary boundaries. They represent the bare minimum required
to mitigate the ongoing harm to our economies, societies, and shared planet.
https://greenscreen.network/en/blog/within-bounds-limiting-ai-environmental-impact/
2. Joint Letter on the UK Government's Use of the Investigatory Powers
Act to Attack End-to-End Encryption
On 13 February 2025, 109 civil society organizations, companies, and
cybersecurity experts, including Global Encryption Coalition members,
published a joint letter to the British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper
calling on the UK Home Office to rescind its demand that Apple create a
backdoor into its end-to-end encrypted services.
https://www.globalencryption.org/2025/02/joint-letter-on-the-uk-governments-use-of-investigatory-powers-act-to-attack-end-to-end-encryption/
__________________________________________
### Events Calendar ###
__________________________________________
Virtual School of Internet Governance
January 14, 2025 - April 1, 2025
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdxElbmLzzGNUpUuoW3jDieHkNZpvO35hhDDlH9-Ia8jwKNww/viewform
RightsCon
February 24 - 27, 2025
Taiwan
https://www.rightscon.org/registration/
Digital Rights Africa Meetup
Team CommUNITY
February 26, 2025
9am EST / 2pm UTC
Online
https://wiki.digitalrights.community/index.php?title=February_26_2025,_Africa_Meetup
The Hong Kong Accountability Archive (Glitter Meetup)
Team CommUNITY
February 27, 2025
9am EST / 2pm UTC
Online
https://wiki.digitalrights.community/index.php?title=February_27_2025_GM
HOPE_16
August 15 - 17, 2025
St. John's University in Queens, New York City, and online
https://hope.net/
Mozilla Festival 2025
November 7 - 9, 2025
In Barcelona, Spain
https://www.mozillafestival.org/en/
Check out a list of our virtual events here:
https://wiki.digitalrights.community/index.php?title=Calendar_of_Events
__________________________________________
### 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
Research Fellow
Digispace Africa
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe4SnxLAjP3OYBDhMQRZlLMXBWuZVDpqy2tVqM_fRawQuP2cg/viewform
Information Controls Fellowship Program
Open Technology Fund
Deadline: February 28, 2025
https://www.opentech.fund/fellowships/icfp/
Tarbell Fellowship for AI Reporting
Tarbell Center for AI Journalism
Deadline: February 28, 2025
https://www.tarbellfellowship.org/programme
The Institute for the Cooperative Digital Economy
The New School
Deadline: February 28, 2025
https://platform.coop/blog/open-call-for-applications-for-the-2025-2026-icde-fellowship-program/
O’Shaughnessy Fellowships & Grants
Deadline: February 28, 2025
https://forms.osv.llc/fellowships2025
2025 Entrepreneurship Programmes
The Tony Elumelu Foundation
Deadline: March 1, 2025
https://www.tefconnect.com/all-program
Strengthening Independent Public Interest Journalism in Europe
Civitates
Deadline: March 2, 2025, 23:59 (CET)
https://civitates-eu.org/funding-opportunity/call-for-proposals-strengthening-independent-public-interest-journalism-in-europe/
The Sepal Fund
The Calyx Institute
Deadline: March 3, 2025
https://calyxinstitute.org/projects/the-sepal-fund
Cross-Border Media Literacy Projects
Deadline: March 6, 2025
https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/funding/call-proposals-cross-border-media-literacy-projects
The GSMA Innovation Fund for Impactful AI
Registration and eligibility forms deadline: March 12, 2025
Deadline for submitting pitches: March 19, 2025
https://www.gsma.com/solutions-and-impact/connectivity-for-good/mobile-for-development/gsma-innovation-fund/the-gsma-innovation-fund-for-impactful-ai
Connecting the Unconnected Funding Program
Internet Society
Deadline 1st window: 31 March 2025
2nd window: from 15 July to 27 August, 2025
https://www.internetsociety.org/funding-areas/connecting-the-unconnected
NGI Zero Commons Fund
Reclaim the Public Nature of the Internet
Deadline: April 1, 2025
https://nlnet.nl/commonsfund/
Effects of the Usage of Digital Technology
The Huo Family Foundation
Deadline: May 23, 2025
https://huofamilyfoundation.org/our-grants/funding-opportunities
Are you looking for grants, fellowships and funds open on a rolling
basis? We curate a long list of opportunities on our wiki:
https://wiki.digitalrights.community/index.php?title=Fundraising_Opportunities
__________________________________________
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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
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