Digital Rights Weekly | May 5 - 9
Team CommUNITY
team at digitalrights.community
Thu May 8 14:55:35 CEST 2025
Hello Digital Rights Defenders!
Here is your weekly update on digital rights around the world for the
week of May 5 - 9. As a reminder, you can submit your news for the
newsletter here:
https://www.digitalrights.community/weekly-newsletter
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. ONLY Three Weeks Left to Apply for the 2025 Global Gathering
Are you joining us in beautiful Portugal for the 2025 Global Gathering?
Register now - there are less than three weeks left to request a spot.
Join hundreds of defenders working on protecting civil society and
journalists from technology related challenges, and making the Internet
better for all. Deadline to apply: May 31.
https://www.digitalrights.community/blog/2025-global-gathering-application
2. EngageMedia: Getting to Know Their Work on Digital Rights in the
Asia-Pacific Region
Check out our recent interview with staff from EngageMedia, a leading
Asia-Pacific organization offering critical community-driven initiatives
that advance digital rights and Internet freedom in the region, while
enhancing digital security for defenders operating in some of the most
digitally restrictive environments worldwide.
https://www.digitalrights.community/blog/community-series-engagemedia
3. Upcoming Digital Rights Town Halls:
May 15 | The Social Networking Glitter Meetup
https://wiki.digitalrights.community/index.php?title=May_15_2025_GM
May 22 | Safety & Responsibility in AI-driven Applications in War and
Armed Conflict
https://wiki.digitalrights.community/index.php?title=May_22_2025_GM
May 29 | Creating "Digital Playgrounds for Creative Communities" with Portal
https://wiki.digitalrights.community/index.php?title=May_29_2025_GM
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### Community News ###
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1. Nominate the Next EFF Award Honoree
For over thirty years, the Electronic Frontier Foundation presented
awards to key leaders and organizations in the fight for freedom and
innovation online. The EFF Awards celebrate the longtime stalwarts
working on behalf of technology users, both in the public eye and behind
the scenes. To submit your nomination:
https://www.eff.org/nominate-next-eff-award-honoree
2. A Case Study in Impact: Calyx Institute: A Case Study in Grassroots
Innovation
Technologists help protect privacy and security when governments or
corporations fail to do so, and the Calyx Institute is a leading
example. Calyx is a New York-based nonprofit focused on digital privacy,
secure connectivity, and equal access to digital tools, with support
from over 12,000 grassroots donors.
https://www.eff.org/de/deeplinks/2025/04/calyx-institute-case-study-grassroots-innovation
3. Request for Proposals: Applied Research on the Relationship Between
Responsible Technology Practices and Financial Performance
Ford Foundation and Omidyar Network are requesting proposals for applied
research or programming that investigates the relationship between
responsible technology practices and financial performance. The aim is
to produce publicly available, actionable evidence to support
institutional investors in assessing and managing technology risks
relevant to company valuation, long-term returns, and fiduciary duty.
They anticipate most research awards will be in the range of
$75,000-$150,000 for projects that could be completed over the next 6
months to 1 year (flexible). Deadline: May 16, 2025.
https://www.fordfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Ford-ON-RFP-April-2025-Tech-Capital-Markets.pdf
4. Omidyar Network's Reporters in Residence (Summer 2025)
Omidyar Network is now accepting applications for its Summer 2025
Reporters in Residence program, which supports freelance journalists in
producing in-depth reporting on the digital landscape. The program will
select up to five participants, providing them with resources, networks,
and support to amplify their impact. The Reporters in Residence program
will run from July to December 2025 and each contracted reporter will
receive a monthly stipend of $8,000 and a $2,000 travel budget, totaling
$50,000. Deadline to apply: May 30, 2025.
https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/omidyarnetwork/jobs/6848749
5. Eisner Fellowship: USA Leaders in Intergenerational Activism
The Eisner Prize Fellowship supports U.S.-based individuals advancing
innovative intergenerational connections through new programs, research,
or technology. Open to students, nonprofit staff, and individuals
affiliated with 501(c)(3) organizations, the fellowship emphasizes new
initiatives over existing programs and encourages applications from
marginalized communities. Each selected Fellow will receive $50,000
($10,000 stipend and $40,000 in project funds). Deadline to apply: May
16, 2025.
https://eisnerfoundation.org/the-eisner-prize-fellowship-program/
6. Online Workshop: Addressing Disinformation
The Digital Policy Cluster invites you to a global Böll online workshop
on how to address disinformation. This interactive 90-minute session
will take place on July 2, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM (CET).
Together, we’ll explore how disinformation works and how we can respond
to it. The workshop will feature a brief expert input from Das NETTZ on
the definitions and dynamics of disinformation, followed by practical
examples and small-group sessions for reflection, exchange, and
discussion. Register:
https://calendar.boell.de/en/event/addressing-disinformation-0
7. Webinar Series | Feminist Labour Futures: Decent Work in the Platform
Economy
The Nawi Collective, in collaboration with FEMNET, Siasa Place, Akina
Mama wa Afrika, and Action Aid, invites you to a webinar series on
Feminist Labour Futures: Decent Work in the Platform Economy. The
webinar series is scheduled to take place on the 7th, the 14th, and the
20th of May 2025, in preparation for the 113th Session of the
International Labour Conference (ILC). Please note that the sessions
will run in English, with French interpretation available. They invite
you to join them by registering for the sessions via the following link.
https://www.nawicollective.org/
8. The 2025 Ranking Digital Rights Index: Big Tech Edition
Assessing the transparency of 14 of the world’s most powerful tech
giants and 43 of their platforms on critical issues affecting people’s
rights to free expression and privacy. The edition covers from AI
assistants like Alexa and Siri, to messaging apps like WhatsApp and
WeChat, to user-facing cloud and email services. The companies control
online information flows and the web's underlying infrastructure, which
is used by more than 5.5 billion people worldwide.
https://rankingdigitalrights.org/bte25
9. Myanmar Military Junta’s Increasingly Powerful Surveillance Ecosystem
Over Four Years
The digital repression tactics employed by the Military Junta in Myanmar
have escalated significantly four years after the coup. Since March
2025, the regime uses a suite of technologies to identify, track, and
locate dissidents. The Myanmar Internet Project (MIP) has documented 357
instances of internet shutdowns from the time of the coup until the end
of March 2025. Conflict-affected and contested areas are frequently
subjected to some form of internet shutdown, with the Sagaing Region and
Kachin State experiencing the most frequent interruptions.
https://www.myanmarinternet.info/post/surveillance_ecosystem_over_four_years-1
10. New SplinterCon Video Archive Now Live
As part of their commitment to open and resilient digital
infrastructure, SplinterCon is now making key presentations and
discussions from its events publicly accessible through a new video
archive. The archive launches with full-session recordings from the
recent Taipei gathering, featuring insights on infrastructure
vulnerabilities, network measurement tools, and real-world deployments
of distributed communication systems.
https://peertube.eqver.se/w/p/95aJcuPHPiofU91NxKes6g
____________________________________________
### NEW Job Opportunities ###
____________________________________________
✎ Operations & Finance Manager | Glitch
+ Remote (within Canada or UK)
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdPRb4Bw32yhc5NRr2UG09xC4_GRb44Iz5tWfuzrsdIWHw8Xw/viewform
✎ News Safety Fellow | New York Times
+ NYC, NY, USA
https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/thenewyorktimes/jobs/4559864005
✎ PhD Positions on Governance by Data Infrastructure | University of
Amsterdam
+ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
https://www.academictransfer.com/en/jobs/351725/three-fully-funded-interdisciplinary-phd-positions-on-governance-by-data-infrastructure/
✎ Computational Journalist, Data Reporting | The Washington Post
+ Washington DC, USA
https://washpost.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/washingtonpostcareers/job/Computational-Journalist--Data-Reporting_JR-90275305-1
✎ Senior Director of People & Culture | The Committee to Protect
Journalists (CPJ)
+ Hybrid in NYC, NY, USA
https://cpjorg.bamboohr.com/careers/85
✎ Communications Officer – EU System for an Enabling Environment for
Civil Society | Hivos
+ The Hague, The Netherlands
https://hivos.org/vacancy/communications-officer-eu-see/
____________________________________________
### Community Resources ###
____________________________________________
1. Global Digital Rights and Internet Freedom Advocacy Efforts Face
Generational Crisis
Seismic shifts in United States policy and geopolitics have destabilized
the global digital rights ecosystem—and raised urgent questions about
its future. According to a recent survey by the Tech Global Institute
(TGI), 71% of digital rights organizations in Global Majority countries
have already scaled back programming. In Africa, a staggering 92% of
affected groups have reduced activities, with nearly 35% forced to lay
off staff. In some cases in the African continent, over 60% of teams
have been wiped out, gutting years of policy, research, and advocacy
work, according to a survey by the Collaboration on International ICT
Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA).
https://www.techpolicy.press/100-days-of-trump-global-digital-rights-and-internet-freedom-advocacy-efforts-face-generational-crisis/
2. Internet Standard Almanac
This guide helps individuals understand how to engage in the
standardisation of internet infrastructure, answering two primary
questions: Which standards developing organisations (SDOs) are
developing standards that have human rights implications? How do these
standards impact human rights? Using the tags, you can organise your
search by topic to identify which groups or committees are working on a
particular issue or impacting a particular right.
https://almanac.article19.org/
3. World Press Freedom Day 2025: Combating Digital Threats to Safeguard
Press Freedom
As we mark World Press Freedom Day 2025, Access Now is highlighting some
of the gravest and most persistent digital threats to journalism: the
largely unchecked rise of spyware, persistent attacks on encryption,
increased disinformation and abuse on online platforms, and the
weaponization of cybercrime laws to enable the silencing of journalists
and human rights defenders. While these threats aren’t new, the current
context puts people and communities already at risk in greater danger.
https://www.accessnow.org/world-press-freedom-day-2025/
__________________________________________
### Digital Rights in the Wider World ###
__________________________________________
1. Iran Expands Digital Surveillance on Women
Dozens of women in Tehran and Shiraz have reported receiving
personalized text messages in recent days from Iran's Headquarters for
the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice warning them about hijab
violations.
https://www.iranintl.com/en/202505018922
2. Moscow Hit With Internet Disruptions Ahead of Victory Day Parade
Russia’s emergency alert system sent out messages warning of mobile
internet restrictions from May 5 to May 9 “to ensure security in
connection with the preparation and celebration of the Victory Day
parade.” Outages across Russia’s largest telecom providers and other
online services were reported Monday morning, coinciding with the
rehearsal of a military aircraft flyover in Moscow.
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/05/05/moscow-hit-with-internet-disruptions-ahead-of-victory-day-parade-a88971
3. NSO to Pay $168 Million in Damages to WhatsApp for Pegasus Spyware
Hacking
A California jury found that NSO Group should pay $447,719 in
compensatory damages and a staggering $167,254,000 in punitive damages
for targeting WhatsApp’s infrastructure with Pegasus spyware. This is
the first time NSO, which has been at the center of human rights
violations against journalists, activists, and dissidents around the
world, is to pay damages for its hacking operations.
https://www.accessnow.org/press-release/whatsapp-v-nso-case-damages-decision/
4. Proton Mail Still Available in India Despite Media Reports
In April 2025, reports once again circulated that Proton Mail was facing
a potential block in India. However, according to the organization, all
Proton services remain available across the country. Proton is aware of
the court rulings and has referred the matter to Swiss federal
authorities, who have raised it with Indian government officials to
ensure that everyone in India can continue protecting their privacy with
Proton Mail.
https://proton.me/blog/india-block-proton-mail
5. Trump Proposes Major Cut to CISA’s Budget, Citing False ‘Censorship’
Claims
President Donald Trump proposed cutting 17% of the Cybersecurity and
Infrastructure Security Agency’s budget as part of his Fiscal Year 2026
spending proposal, targeting the agency over what he falsely called a
censorship campaign aimed at conservatives.
https://www.cybersecuritydive.com/news/trump-cisa-budget-cuts-disinformation/747047/
6. FPA Accuses Israel of Press Censorship Over Gaza Media Blackout
The Foreign Press Association (FPA) has condemned Israel’s ongoing
restrictions preventing foreign journalists from entering Gaza,
demanding immediate access for independent reporting. In a statement
marking World Press Freedom Day, the Jerusalem-based group called the
blockade an "unprecedented ban" and a "mark of shame for a country that
claims to be a beacon of democracy". The FPA has petitioned Israel’s
Supreme Court to overturn the policy.
https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/israel-accused-press-censorship-over-gaza-media-blackout
7. Skype Shuts Down on May 5: Ever Wondered Why It Was Called Skype?
Skype was founded 21 years ago and purchased by Microsoft for $8.5
billion in 2011, at the time its biggest acquisition to date. This week
Microsoft is hanging up on Skype, encouraging its remaining users to
migrate to Teams.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2025/05/05/skype-shutting-down-microsoft/
8. Time Saved by AI Offset by New Work Created, Study Suggests
A new study analyzing the Danish labor market in 2023 and 2024 suggests
that generative AI models like ChatGPT have had almost no significant
impact on overall wages or employment yet, despite rapid adoption in
some workplaces. The findings, detailed in a working paper by economists
from the University of Chicago and the University of Copenhagen, provide
an early, large-scale empirical look at AI's transformative potential.
https://arstechnica.com/ai/2025/05/time-saved-by-ai-offset-by-new-work-created-study-suggests/
_________________________________________
### Statements from Our Community ###
1. Open Letter to Samsung: End Forced Israeli App Installations in the
WANA Region
SMEX has received multiple reports from users in West Asia and North
Africa (WANA) raising concerns about AppCloud—a pre-installed app on
Samsung’s A and M series smartphones. Developed by the controversial
Israeli firm ironSource (now owned by Unity), the app collects personal
data without user consent, cannot be removed without risking device
security, and lacks transparency. Given the legal and privacy
implications, SMEX calls on Samsung to provide clear answers,
accountability, and an opt-out option.
https://smex.org/open-letter-to-samsung-end-forced-israeli-app-installations-in-the-wana-region/
_________________________________________
### Events Calendar ###
__________________________________________
CyPurr Session: Digital Security for Beginners
Electronic Frontier Alliance
May 10, 2025
Brooklyn, NY
https://www.eff.org/event/nyc-digital-security-beginners-1
Defending Your Organization Against Rage Farming
PWorld
May 15, 2025
Online
https://edri.org/take-action/events/defending-your-organization-against-rage-farming/
Palestine Digital Activism Forum 2025
7amleh - The Arab Center for the Advancement of Social Media
May 20 - 21, 2025
Online
https://7amleh.org/post/7amleh-launches-the-ninth-edition-of-the-palestine-digital-activism-forum-2025:-registration-now-open-with-a-full-program-of-speakers-and-sessions
Safety & Responsibility in AI-driven Applications in War and Armed
Conflict (Glitter Meetup)
Team CommUNITY
May 22, 2025
9am EDT / 1pm UTC
Online
https://wiki.digitalrights.community/index.php?title=May_22_2025_GM
Creating "Digital Playgrounds for Creative Communities" with Portal
(Glitter Meetup)
Team CommUNITY
May 29, 2025
9am EDT / 1pm UTC
Online
https://wiki.digitalrights.community/index.php?title=May_29_2025_GM
2025 Oxford Media Policy Summer Institute
Jesus College, Oxford
July 28 - August 8, 2025
https://www.law.ox.ac.uk/oxford-media-policy-summer-institute
HOPE_16
August 15 - 17, 2025
St. John's University in Queens, New York City, and online
https://hope.net/
The Digital Rights Asia-Pacific Assembly (DRAPAC)
August 26 - 27, 2025
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
https://drapac.net/25/
Global Gathering 2025
Team CommUNITY
September 8 - 10, 2025
Estoril, Portugal
https://www.digitalrights.community/blog/2025-global-gathering-application
Hold Before You Send It
Digihub Africa 2025
October 8 - 9, 2025
Johannesburg, South Africa
https://www.digihubafrica.org/events/
Bread&Net
SMEX
October 29 - 31
Beirut, Lebanon
https://smex.org/breadnet-save-the-date/
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
Applied Research on the Relationship Between Responsible Technology
Practices and Financial Performance
Ford Foundation and Omidyar Network
Deadline: May 16, 2025
https://www.fordfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Ford-ON-RFP-April-2025-Tech-Capital-Markets.pdf
Eisner Fellowship: USA Leaders in Intergenerational Activism
Deadline to apply: May 16, 2025
https://eisnerfoundation.org/the-eisner-prize-fellowship-program/
Grants for Democratic Digitalisation Projects
Deadline: May 18, 2025
https://4d.cat/en/award
Effects of the Usage of Digital Technology
The Huo Family Foundation
Deadline: May 23, 2025
https://huofamilyfoundation.org/our-grants/funding-opportunities
Omidyar Network's Reporters in Residence (Summer 2025)
Deadline to apply: May 30, 2025
https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/omidyarnetwork/jobs/6848749
Grants for Investigative Stories
Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN)
Deadline: June 30, 2025
https://birn.eu.com/news-and-events/birn-invites-journalists-to-apply-for-grants-for-investigative-stories/
Connecting the Unconnected Funding Program
Internet Society
Deadline 2nd window: from 15 July to 27 August, 2025
https://www.internetsociety.org/funding-areas/connecting-the-unconnected
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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