Digital Rights Weekly | March 3 - 7
Team CommUNITY
team at digitalrights.community
Thu Mar 6 17:06:38 CET 2025
Hello Digital Rights Defenders!
Here is your weekly update on digital rights around the world for the
week of March 3 - 7. 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) ###
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1. Help Us Plan the 2025 Global Gathering by Completing This 4-Minute Survey
We are moving forward with hosting the 2025 Global Gathering (GG),
because we believe it's more important than ever to gather. However, we
need your help! Take this quick, 4-minute survey, so we can ensure the
event remains a useful tool and responsive to current needs. Dates for
the event are September 8, 9 and 10.
https://digitalrights.formstack.com/forms/2025_global_gathering
2. OONI: Getting to Know Their Work on Global Internet Censorship
Measurement
The Open Observatory of Network Interference (OONI) documents internet
censorship across the globe - to-date, they have gathered over two
billion network measurements from more than 200 countries. We spoke with
Maria Xynou, their Director of Strategic Engagement, about the OONI
Probe app and their real-time analysis and reports, which are essential
tools for understanding internet censorship and other forms of network
interference.
https://www.digitalrights.community/blog/community-series-ooni
3. Upcoming March Digital Rights Town Halls and Regional Meetup
March 13 | The Digital Security School
https://wiki.digitalrights.community/index.php?title=March_13_2025_GM
March 20 | Social Networking Glitter Meetup
https://wiki.digitalrights.community/index.php?title=March_20_2025_GM
____________________________________________
### Community News ###
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1. We Rise Call for Proposals: Orgs in Specific Global Majority
Countries Encouraged to Apply
We Rise has an open call for proposals for innovative, context-specific
solutions that directly contribute to the exercise of the right to
peaceful assembly and protest in the face of increasing criminalization
and violence. The deadline is March 11, 2025. Applicants from the
following countries are encouraged to apply: Angola, Mozambique, Ghana,
Guine-Conakry, Thailand, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Jordan, Iran, Egypt,
Tunisia, Argentina, El Salvador, Venezuela and Peru.
https://www.civicus.org/index.php/engage-and-act/campaign-with-us/werise-campaign-call-for-proposals
2. AI at Work: Field Experiments on the Workforce Effects of New AI Tools
AI at Work will support early-career economists and other quantitative
social scientists, including graduate students with up to $200,000 USD
to conduct and analyze field experiments and quasi-experiments on AI’s
workplace impact. The programs specifically supports research into how
AI adoption may influence the nature of work and the functioning of the
labor market. Deadline to apply: April 1, 2025.
https://www.schmidtsciences.org/ai-at-work/
3. Call for Proposals: 2025 MIT Solve' Global Economic Prosperity Challenge
How can communities use technology to build and sustain financial and
economic opportunities and resilience for all? MIT Solve is looking to
financially support technology-driven solutions to increase global
economic prosperity. Deadline to apply: April 17, 2025.
https://solve.mit.edu/challenges/2025-global-economic-prosperity-challenge
4. Call for Proposals: Data Governance in Africa Research Fund
The Data Governance in Africa Research Fund is looking to recruit four
African-based researchers to undertake research that will respond to
current data governance trends in the region and identify policy
recommendations. Researchers will work with the Mozilla 2025 Senior
Africa fellow to each conduct an empirical study proposed according to
their expertise. Complete initial application account registration by
March 11, 2025. Deadline to apply: March 31, 2025.
https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/1trBdzuGlDyss6ikyY-mjCLSoUTplda08
6. Environmental Justice in Tech Fellowship (EJIT)
The Rooted Futures Lab launched its Environmental Justice in Tech
Fellowship. This remote fellowship offers the opportunity to shape the
intersection of environmental justice and technology while building
expertise in research, education, and creative intervention. Rolling
application until April 15, 2025.
https://www.rootedfutureslab.io/ejit-fellowship
7. Mama Cash's Resilience Fund
Mama Cash is accepting Letters of Interest for their Resilience Fund.
The fund supports feminist groups, collectives, and initiatives that are
founded, led, and/or run by people who belong to the communities whose
rights they seek to advance. Deadline: March 31, 2025.
https://www.mamacash.org/funds/resilience-fund/
8. Call for Proposals: Enabling Women’s Access to Employment
Opportunities in STEM, Digital & Clean Energy Sectors
UN Women is inviting proposals from organizations to strengthen the
employability and economic opportunities of women and girls from
marginalized backgrounds in technical and vocational institutes across
Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra under the WeSTEM 2.0 project.
Deadline: March 10, 2025.
https://asiapacific.unwomen.org/en/programme-implementation/2025/02/unw-ap-ind-cfp-2025-003-enabling-womens-access-to-decent-and-safe-employment-opportunities-in-stem-digital-and-clean-energy-sectors-with-a-focus-on-the-states-of-madhya-pradesh-gujarat-and-maharashtra
9. CyPurr Session: Digital Security for Beginners
CyPurr Collective is hosting a beginner friendly, low-jargon
introduction to digital security and privacy in New York City on March
15, 2025. They’ll have an interactive walk-through of how to put
together a security plan, and open up to discussion and Q&A focusing on
practical steps anyone can take to use technology more safely.
https://www.eff.org/event/nyc-digital-security-beginners
10. RightsCon2025: Protecting Digital Freedom in a Conflicted World
The 13th RightsCon summit, the world’s largest gathering for human
rights in the digital age, wrapped up last week in Taipei, Taiwan. Check
out some of the takeaways from ARTICLE19’s conversations here:
https://www.article19.org/resources/rightscon-2025-protecting-digital-freedom-conflicted-world/
11. Reports from Our Community
a) Scanning the Horizon: The Future of Digital Rights & Resilience in
the Global Majority
This report from the Digital Resilience Network serves as an entry point
to this ‘forecasting’ stream of work that organizations working in the
digital rights ecosystem often overlook, especially when resources are
scarce, and they are focused on current challenges and ongoing projects.
It aims to spark discussions around a central question: what are the key
political, economic and technological trends impacting our ecosystem?
https://digitalresilience.network/new-drn-report-scanning-the-horizon-the-future-of-digital-rights-resilience-in-the-global-majority/
The Digital Resilience Network is hosting a webinar to launch the report
on March 20, 2025, from 2:00-3:30 PM UTC. Register:
https://digitalresilience.network/registration/
https://digitalresilience.network/20-mar-report-launch-webinar-scanning-the-horizon/
b) Indo-Pacific: To Resist China’s Cyber Norms, We Must Support Taiwan
Through its Digital Silk Road, China is not only developing digital
infrastructure, but also aggressively promoting its own norms for
governing these technologies. ARTICLE 19’s new report reveals how China
is expanding its digital authoritarian model of cybersecurity governance
across the Indo-Pacific, posing a grave threat to people’s rights –
regionally and globally.
https://www.article19.org/resources/china-taiwan-cybersecurity/
c) Research on AI Policy & Issues in Key Areas in South Korea
In South Korea, civil society has raised various concerns surrounding AI
systems. This report analyzes the standards for AI regulation,
implementation status, and actual or potential problems in key areas
including public administration, law enforcement, education, and social
welfare.
https://act.jinbo.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2025_apc_jinbonet_AI_korea_en.pdf
____________________________________________
### NEW Job Opportunities ###
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✎ Senior Campaign Director | Fight for the Future
+ Remote
https://nrgconsultinggroup.applytojob.com/apply/gLzw01P5CW/Senior-Campaign-Director-At-Fight-For-The-Future
✎ Digital Security Coordinator | Asociación TEDIC
+ Asunción (Paraguay)
https://upload.disroot.org/r/T4F51Eyp#yXDSplMla7P12BVru4/X/EvNWOMwBUNYmL6Zlys1fBo=
✎ Associate Director of Communications & Engagement | WITNESS
+ Remote between GMT -5 and -3
https://witness.bamboohr.com/careers/61
✎ 2025 Future Perfect Fellows | Vox Media
+ Remote in the US
https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/voxmedia/jobs/6635666?gh_jid=6635666
✎ Doctoral scholarship International Relations and Conflict Studies |
University of Antwerp
+ Antwerp, Belgium
https://www.uantwerpen.be/en/jobs/vacancies/academic-staff/?q=3848&descr=Doctoral-scholarship-International-Relations-and-Conflict-Studies
✎ Program Manager | Processing Foundation
+ Remote in the US
https://processingfoundation.org/employment/program-manager
✎ Postdoctoral Research Associate in Work for AI Safety | Queen Mary
University of London
+ London, UK
https://qmul-jobs.tal.net/vx/mobile-0/appcentre-ext/brand-4/candidate/so/pm/1/pl/3/opp/5277-Postdoctoral-Research-Associate-in-Work-for-AI-Safety/
✎ Grants & Operations Manager | Masakhane
+ Remote (with a preference for African candidates)
https://www.masakhane.io/open-positions
✎ Community & Partnerships Lead | Masakhane
+ Remote (with a preference for African candidates)
https://www.masakhane.io/open-positions
✎ Regional Director, Americas | Committee to Protect Journalists
+ New York or Washington DC, US
https://cpjorg.bamboohr.com/careers/84
✎ Head of People and Culture | New_ Public
+ Remote in US or Canada
https://newpublic.org/jobs/head-people-culture
✎ Staff Researcher, Local Lab | New_ Public
+ Remote in US or Canada
https://newpublic.org/jobs/staff-researcher
✎ Senior Product Manager, Public Spaces Incubator | New_ Public
+ Remote in US or Canada
https://newpublic.org/jobs/product-man-ops-psi
✎ Deputy Program Manager – Free to be Me (F2BM) | HIVOS
+ Nairobi, Kenya
https://newpublic.org/jobs/product-man-ops-psi
____________________________________________
### Community Resources ###
____________________________________________
1. Beyond Digital Rights: Towards a Fair Information Ecosystem?
We are witnessing intense datafication, platformization, and a
reconfiguration of power dynamics among corporations, states, and
citizens. Only through a comprehensive understanding of these shifts in
our information ecosystem can we develop effective strategies for
advancing social justice and democracy.
https://www.techpolicy.press/beyond-digital-rights-towards-a-fair-information-ecosystem/
2. Myanmar: Why is the Junta Shutting Down the Internet?
The Myanmar military ordered 76 out of 85 internet disruptions in 2024.
The Chinese government imposed two cross-border shutdowns in Myanmar and
Thailand imposed four, with rebel administrators and unknown actors
listed as responsible for the remaining ones.
https://www.dw.com/en/myanmar-why-is-junta-shutting-down-internet/a-71770580
3. Digital Luddites are Rising. They Want to Democratise Tech, Not
Destroy It
This article explores the concept of "Digital Luddism," which draws
parallels between the 19th-century Luddites and modern resistance to the
harmful uses of technology. Digital Luddism, also known as neo-Luddism,
tackles digital rights issues like surveillance capitalism, monopolistic
platforms, and censorship through three strategies: resistance, removal
and replacement.
https://theconversation.com/digital-luddites-are-rising-they-want-to-democratise-tech-not-destroy-it-251155
4. Threats to Democracy in Brazil: The Rise of Technofeudalism & the
Assault on Democratic Institutions
The rise of technofeudalism presents a severe challenge to sovereignty,
democracy, and social justice. With digital platforms acting as arbiters
of truth, political engagement, and economic opportunity, we must ask
ourselves: Who controls Brazil’s democracy in the digital age?
https://www.techpolicy.press/threats-to-democracy-in-brazil-the-rise-of-technofeudalism-and-the-assault-on-democratic-institutions/
5. App Stores vs. Platforms: Who Should Be Verifying Internet Users’ Ages?
To make online environments safer for youth, legislators across the
country keep returning to one problematic solution—age verification
requirements. Viewing these requirements as inevitable, tech companies
are advocating for legislation that shifts the responsibility and cost
of implementation to other players in the digital space.
https://www.newamerica.org/oti/blog/app-stores-vs-platforms-who-should-be-verifying-internet-users-ages/
__________________________________________
### Digital Rights in the Wider World ###
__________________________________________
1. Facebook Enables Gender Discrimination in Job Ads, European Human
Rights Body Rules
A European human rights body has ruled that Facebook’s algorithm shows
gender bias when promoting job advertisements, marking what activists
say is a crucial step in holding big tech companies accountable for the
design of their platforms.
https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2025/02/28/tech/facebook-gender-discrimination-europe-ruling-asequals-intl
2. Desperate for Work, Translators Train the AI That’s Putting Them Out
of Work
Translators in Turkey are at risk of being replaced by large language
models (LLMs), and having diminished skills and fewer career options for
all but elite scholars.
https://restofworld.org/2025/turkeys-translators-training-ai-replacements/
3. In India, Buying a Gun is a WhatsApp Message Away
An analysis of more than 8,000 messages by Digital Witness Lab at
Princeton University finds the Meta-owned platform is a thriving illegal
firearms marketplace.
https://restofworld.org/2025/whatsapp-illegal-firearms-trade-india-digital-witness-lab/
____________________________________________
### Recent Statements from our Community ###
____________________________________________
The Blocking of Zawia 3 is a Serious Escalation in Egypt’s Restrictions
on Press Freedom
More than 30 human rights organisations condemn the Egyptian
authorities' decision to block the independent media platform Zawia 3,
amidst a broader pattern of restrictions on press freedom and digital
rights in Egypt.
https://menarights.org/en/articles/joint-statement-blocking-zawia-3-serious-escalation-egypts-restrictions-press-freedom
__________________________________________
### Events Calendar ###
__________________________________________
The Digital Security School (Glitter Meetup)
Team CommUNITY
March 13, 2025
9am EDT / 1pm UTC
Online
https://wiki.digitalrights.community/index.php?title=March_13_2025_GM
Social Networking Glitter Meetup
Team CommUNITY
March 20, 2025
9am EDT / 1pm UTC
Online
https://wiki.digitalrights.community/index.php?title=March_20_2025_GM
What is Happening in Digital Rights Around the World? (Glitter Meetup)
Team CommUNITY
April 3, 2025
9am EDT / 1pm UTC
Online
https://wiki.digitalrights.community/index.php?title=April_3_2025_GM
Network Measurements - How to Gather and Use Evidence of an Internet
Shutdown Happening in Your Country? (Glitter Meetup with OONI)
Team CommUNITY
April 10, 2025
9am EDT / 1pm UTC
Online
https://wiki.digitalrights.community/index.php?title=April_10_2025_GM
Social Networking Glitter Meetup
Team CommUNITY
April 17, 2025
9am EDT / 1pm UTC
Online
https://wiki.digitalrights.community/index.php?title=April_17_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
Equal Measures 2030
Deadline: March 9, 2025
https://equalmeasures2030.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Storytelling-with-Data-Fellowship-PDF.pdf
Enabling Women’s Access to Employment Opportunities in STEM, Digital &
Clean Energy Sectors (Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra)
Deadline: March 10, 2025
https://asiapacific.unwomen.org/en/programme-implementation/2025/02/unw-ap-ind-cfp-2025-003-enabling-womens-access-to-decent-and-safe-employment-opportunities-in-stem-digital-and-clean-energy-sectors-with-a-focus-on-the-states-of-madhya-pradesh-gujarat-and-maharashtra
Call for Proposals: We Rise Campaign
Deadline: March 11, 2025
https://www.civicus.org/index.php/engage-and-act/campaign-with-us/werise-campaign-call-for-proposals
Call for Proposals: Data Governance in Africa Research Fund
Initial application account registration: March 11, 2025
Deadline to apply: March 31, 2025
https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/1trBdzuGlDyss6ikyY-mjCLSoUTplda08
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: March 31, 2025
2nd window: from 15 July to 27 August, 2025
https://www.internetsociety.org/funding-areas/connecting-the-unconnected
Mama Cash's Resilience Fund
Deadline: March 31, 2025
https://www.mamacash.org/funds/resilience-fund/
AI at Work: Field Experiments on the Workforce Effects of New AI Tools
Deadline: April 1, 2025
https://www.schmidtsciences.org/ai-at-work/
NGI Zero Commons Fund
Reclaim the Public Nature of the Internet
Deadline: April 1, 2025
https://nlnet.nl/commonsfund/
Metascience & AI Postdoctoral Fellowship
Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
Deadline: April 10, 2025
https://sloan.org/programs/digital-technology/aipostdoc-rfp
Environmental Justice in Tech Fellowship (EJIT)
The Rooted Futures Lab launched
Rolling application until April 15, 2025
https://www.rootedfutureslab.io/ejit-fellowship
2025 MIT Solve' Global Economic Prosperity Challenge
Deadline: April 17, 2025
https://solve.mit.edu/challenges/2025-global-economic-prosperity-challenge
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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(((Hugs & light)))
--
Team CommUNITY at ARTICLE 19
www.digitalrights.community
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