Digital Rights Weekly | May 19 - 23

[Team CommUNITY]

Hello Digital Rights Defenders!

Here is your weekly update on digital rights around the world for the week of May 19 - 23. 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 ONE WEEK LEFT to Apply for the 2025 Global Gathering

There is only one week left to apply to the Global Gathering. Join hundreds of defenders in lovely Portugal to work on strategies and tools to protect civil society and from technology-related challenges. Deadline to apply: May 31.

https://www.digitalrights.community/blog/2025-global-gathering-application


2. Open Culture Foundation: Getting to Know Their Work in Open Tech and Transparency in Taiwan

The Open Culture Foundation (OCF) is a nonpartisan nonprofit composed of several Taiwan-based open technology communities. We spoke with their Research Manager, Chia-Shuo Tang, to learn more about their challenges and current projects, including Defending and Documenting Digital Threats for Human Rights Defenders in Taiwan, and Public Money, Public Code.

https://www.digitalrights.community/blog/community-series-open-culture-foundation


3. Upcoming Digital Rights Town Halls and Community Knowledge Shares:

May 29 | Creating "Digital Playgrounds for Creative Communities" with Portal
https://wiki.digitalrights.community/index.php?title=May_29_2025_GM

June 5 |  What is Happening in Digital Rights Around the World? (Glitter Meetup)
https://wiki.digitalrights.community/index.php?title=June_5_2025_GM

Junio 18 | Tecnologías para la Autonomía: Construyendo Redes Comunitarias en América Latina (Digital Rights LATAM Meetup)
https://digitalrights.formstack.com/forms/cks_latam_junio_2025

June 26 | The Social Networking Glitter Meetup
https://wiki.digitalrights.community/index.php?title=June_26_2025_GM

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### Community News ###
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1. Spyware Accountability Initiative Call for Proposals

Spyware Accountability Initiative (SAI) has an open call for proposals. SAI’s goal
is to address the harms of the global spyware industry on civil society, through regulation, litigation, research and investigation and other means. Concept notes will be accepted for proposals between $50,000 USD and $200,000 USD and grant terms of 12 months or longer. Deadline to apply: June 13, 2025.

https://stopspyware.fund/apply


2. DDP's Sustainable Protection Fund for East Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia

Digital Defenders Partnership (DDP) is currently soliciting applications from Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia for the Sustainable Protection Fund (SPF). This fund aims to help human rights organisations or collectives build their long-term digital security capacities. The SPF provides grants up to €15.000 and covers activities for a maximum of one year. Deadline to apply: June 13, 2025.

https://www.digitaldefenders.org/sustainable-protection-fund-open-call-for-applications-from-eecca-2025/


3. Digital Good Research Fund ‘Building the Digital Good’

Digital Good Network is calling for research proposals that enhance the collective understanding of what a good digital society looks like and how to get there. Proposals should build on their prior research and discussion paper “Evaluating the societal outcomes of digital technologies: building blocks and reflexive questions.” Note, the project lead must be based at a UK research organization eligible for UKRI funding. They will dedicate up to £300,000 (£240,000 at 80% fEC) to funding applications that respond to this call. Deadline to apply: June 26, 2025.

https://digitalgood.net/digital-good-research-fund-round-3-building-the-digital-good-call-for-applications/


​4. Tech For Good Investment for Startups
Bethnal Green Ventures (BGV) invests in ambitious and diverse founders who use technology to create positive impact at scale. Applications for their Autumn 2025 Programme are now open. Twice a year, BGV selects 10–15 companies, each receiving £60,000 in investment and participating in a six-week programme. Before applying, be sure to speak with the BGV team to determine whether it’s the right fit for both you and the programme. Deadline to apply: June 15, 2025.
https://www.bethnalgreenventures.com/apply


5. Global Agrifood Innovation Challenge 2025

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations's Global Agrifood Innovation Challenge 2025 is looking for agrifood systems innovations projects. The winners will have an opportunity to pitch their innovations at the Science and Innovation Forum in Rome in October 2025. Up to 30k dollars seed funding for winning teams. Deadline to apply: June 7, 2025.

https://unfao.brightidea.com/GlobalAgriInnoChallenge2025


6. Imperial College Research Fellowships

The Imperial College Research Fellowship (ICRF) scheme is designed for outstanding early career researchers looking for an opportunity to focus on research and establish scientific independence. Candidates are expected to be a maximum of PhD + 4 years, proposals will be considered in all research areas active within participating departments at Imperial, and applicants can be UK nationals or international candidates. Deadline to apply: August 18, 2025.

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/research-and-innovation/research-office/funder-information/research-fellowships/icrf/


7. Introducing CATio Spaces: A Learning Space to Talk Cybersecurity

The Engine Room is excited to introduce CATio Spaces — a new way for civil society organizations to connect with its team and talk about cybersecurity in a low-pressure, friendly environment. Organizations can schedule time with the team for 30-minute sessions, which are available on a rolling basis.

https://www.theengineroom.org/introducing-catio-spaces-a-learning-space-to-talk-cybersecurity/


8. MyData 2025 Conference: Early Bird Tickets and Call for Proposals

The MyData 2025 Conference — a celebration of 10 years of the MyData movement — will bring together leaders from over 40 countries in Helsinki from 24 - 26 September 2025 to explore rights-based, practical solutions to today’s most pressing digital challenges.
Early Bird tickets are now available with 25% off, but only for a limited time. If you have an idea or tool to share, submit a proposal to speak on stage:

https://conference.mydata.org/2025


9. DRAPAC Series: Human Rights Responsibilities and Challenges for Tech Companies Operating in Authoritarian Countries

EngageMedia is hosting a DRAPAC Series webinar on May 30, 1:00–2:30 PM Bangkok time (UTC+7). Article 19 published a report examining how tech companies operating in China, Myanmar, and Vietnam often passively comply with restrictive local laws, leading to human rights abuses, particularly around freedom of expression and privacy. The upcoming DRAPAC Series webinar will explore the report’s findings and discuss recommendations for improving corporate respect for human rights in authoritarian contexts. Register:

https://engagemedia.org/2025/drapac-series-12-human-rights-tech-companies/


10. The Pulitzer Center Launches the South-to-South AI Accountability CoLab

The Pulitzer Center’s South-to-South AI Accountability CoLab aims to strengthen AI accountability reporting and civil society engagement in the Global Majority. From June to July 2025, it will host a series of three-day Peer Learning Circles for academics, researchers, and civil society members. Sessions will explore real-world cases, assess AI’s societal impact, and accommodate time zones across Africa, Latin America, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.

https://pulitzercenter.org/south-south-ai-accountability-colabs-peer-learning-circle


11. Online Course: Threat Sharing and Digital Forensics from a Feminist and Human Rights Perspective

Digital Defenders Partnership presents the second edition of the online course “Threat Sharing and Digital Forensics from a Feminist and Human Rights Perspective”, consisting of eight bi-weekly sessions (13:00–15:00 UTC) from September to December 2025. Sessions will be hosted in English and Spanish with live interpretation. It is designed for activists, helpline workers, rapid responders, and civil society members working at the intersections of digital forensics, threat sharing, and gender justice. Apply before June 15, 2025.

https://www.digitaldefenders.org/online-course-threat-sharing-and-digital-forensics-from-a-feminist-and-human-rights-perspective/


12. Applications Open For The SEEDIG Youth School 2025
   
The South Eastern European Dialogue on Internet Governance (SEEDIG) will be held on 10-11 October 2025 in Athens, Greece. As they mark their 10th anniversary under the overarching theme “A Decade of Dialogue and Cooperation: What’s Next?”, SEEDIG 10 will bring together stakeholders from across the region to reflect, reconnect, and look ahead. The call for session proposals is open until the end of April 2025:

https://seedig.net/youth-school/


13. Digitized Divides: Revealing the Trade-Offs of a Tech-Dependent World

Tactical Tech launched “Digitized Divides: Revealing the Trade-Offs of a Tech-Dependent World”, a series that highlights the human and environmental costs, systemic inequities, and ethical challenges that technology can create or amplify. This series doesn’t sugar-coat reality—it presents uncomfortable truths and urgent questions. Each essay offers a snapshot of key issues in today’s digital landscape. Read the full series:

https://tacticaltech.org/news/insights/digitized-divides/

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### NEW Job Opportunities  ###
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✎ Staff UX Researcher, Local Lab | New_Public
+ Remote in USA or Canada
https://newpublic.org/jobs/staff-researcher

✎ Senior Major Gifts Officer | Human Rights Foundation
+ NY, USA (Remote available)
https://chaloner.com/searches/#!/1357c692-204b-4c57-afa5-4ac857e9458d/detail

✎ Programme & Partnership Manager | GenEarth
+ Remote in London, UK
https://www.conservation-careers.com/job/programme-partnership-manager/

✎ Digital Justice Fund Lead | Weaving Liberation
+ Remote within CET 2+/- hours
https://digitalfreedomfund.freshteam.com/jobs/V6dFtJzrOjWi/weaving-liberation-digital-justice-fund-lead-remote

✎ Head of US Advocacy | RSF USA
+ Washington DC, USA
https://rsf.org/fr/head-us-advocacy-washington-dc

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### Community Resources  ###
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1. Europe Must Avoid Becoming a Digital Colony

Policymakers have warned about the continent’s reliance on foreign technology. Those alarms seemed abstract—until now. The EuroStack is the continent’s last chance for technological sovereignty in the era of AI. The EuroStack comprises seven interconnected layers: critical raw materials, chips, networks, the Internet of Things, cloud infrastructure, software platforms, and finally data and AI.

https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/03/31/europe-digital-sovereignty-colony-trump-asml-ai-eurostack/


2. How Uganda’s Anti-LGBTQ+ Laws Entrap People Online

In Uganda and across Sub-Saharan Africa, authorities are using digital platforms to entrap and target LGBTQ+ people, violating their rights to privacy and expression. This research highlights cases of online entrapment, the role of tech companies, and offers recommendations to better protect LGBTQ+ communities.

https://www.accessnow.org/uganda-anti-lgbtq-entrapment-laws/


3. Almost Half of Young People Would Prefer a World Without Internet, UK Study Finds
Half of 16- to 21-year-olds support ‘digital curfew’ and nearly 70% feel worse after using social media, while 46% said they would rather be young in a world without the internet altogether.

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/may/20/almost-half-of-young-people-would-prefer-a-world-without-internet-uk-study-finds

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### Digital Rights in the Wider World ###
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1. US Foundation Leaders Say Charitable Organisations Could be Next in the Firing line and Launch Solidarity Campaign Designed to ‘Stand Together’ to Resist

Leaders from the MacArthur Foundation, McKnight Foundation and Freedom Together Foundation warned that charitable organisations could be the next institutions under attack in the US, and have announced a public solidarity campaign to support philanthropy’s freedom to give. More than 300 organisations have already signed on.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/19/philanthropy-foundations-trump-resistance


2. Over 200 Organizations: House Tax Bill Threatens Tax Status for Charities, Churches, and Nonprofits

Over 200 organizations have publicly opposed a provision in a new House tax bill that would grant the US Treasury Secretary the authority to label any nonprofit as a “terrorist supporting organization” without due process. This power could be used by a presidential administration to target political opponents, threatening the tax-exempt status and operations of civil society organizations, charities, churches, and other nonprofits, which could have devastating consequences for community-serving organizations.

https://www.stopgovernmentcensorship.org/press-releases-and-statements/over-200-organizations-house-tax-bill-threatens-tax-status-for-charities-churches-and-nonprofits


3. ECOWAS Court declares Senegal’s Internet Shutdown Unlawful

The  Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court has declared Senegal’s shutdown of internet services and social media platforms in June/July 2023 unlawful and that it violated the rights to freedom of expression and access to information.

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/foreign/west-africa-foreign/794267-ecowas-court-declares-senegals-internet-shutdown-unlawful.html


4. High Court Blocks Government from Shutting Down Internet in Kenya

The High Court has temporarily barred the government and relevant state agencies from shutting down or interfering with internet access, following growing concerns over digital rights and freedom of expression. The ruling follows a petition filed by seven civil society organizations who challenged the government’s history of unexplained internet disruptions, especially during politically sensitive moments such as protests and national exams.

https://nairobiwire.com/2025/05/high-court-blocks-government-from-shutting-down-internet-in-kenya.html


5. The Internet’s Biggest-Ever Black Market Just Shut Down Amid a Telegram Purge

Following a WIRED inquiry, Telegram banned thousands of accounts used for crypto-scam money laundering, including those of Haowang Guarantee, a black market that enabled over $27 billion in transactions.

https://www.wired.com/story/the-internets-biggest-ever-black-market-shuts-down-after-a-telegram-purge/


6. Romanian Government Accused of Online Censorship Ahead of Election Rerun

Liberal civil society groups and centrist politicians say draconian online content laws rushed through to counter Russian disinformation after November’s canceled poll have prevented normal people from having their say on social media.

https://www.politico.eu/article/romania-online-censorship-presidential-election-social-media-russian-interference/


7. European Union Accuses TikTok of Breaching Digital Rules With Lack of Transparency on Ads

TikTok's ad repository isn't up to the standards required by the bloc's Digital Services Act, known as the DSA, the 27-nation EU’s executive Commission said in preliminary findings from its investigation. The Commission said ad databases are vital for researchers to detect scam ads as well as so-called hybrid threat campaigns, coordinated information operations and fake ads, "including in the context of elections."

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/markets/indices/TXOE/pressreleases/32412588/european-union-accuses-tiktok-of-breaching-digital-rules-its-ad-database-falls-short/

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### Events Calendar ###
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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

DRAPAC Series: Human Rights Responsibilities and Challenges for Tech Companies Operating in Authoritarian Countries
EngageMedia
May 30, 2025
1pm - 2:30pm Bangkok time (UTC+7)
https://engagemedia.org/2025/drapac-series-12-human-rights-tech-companies/

South-to-South AI Accountability CoLab
The Pulitzer Center
June - July, 2025
https://pulitzercenter.org/south-south-ai-accountability-colabs-peer-learning-circle

What is Happening in Digital Rights Around the World? (Glitter Meetup)
Team CommUNITY
June 5, 2025
9am EDT /1pm UTC
Online
https://wiki.digitalrights.community/index.php?title=June_5_2025_GM

How does a Resilient Civil Society Defend Democracy against Information Operations of Authoritarian Regimes
Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom - Global Innovation Hub
Brussels
June 12, 2025
9am GMT+2
https://www.freiheit.org/taiwan/register-our-panel-june-12-how-does-resilient-civil-society-defend-democracy-against

Tecnologías para la Autonomía: Construyendo Redes Comunitarias en América Latina (Digital Rights LATAM Meetup)
Team CommUNITY
June 18, 2025
5:30pm EDT / 9:30pm UTC
https://digitalrights.formstack.com/forms/cks_latam_junio_2025

The Social Networking Glitter Meetup
Team CommUNITY
June 26, 2025
9am EDT /1pm UTC
Online
https://wiki.digitalrights.community/index.php?title=June_26_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/

Online Course: Threat Sharing and Digital Forensics from a Feminist and Human Rights Perspective
Digital Defenders Partnership
September - December, 2025
https://www.digitaldefenders.org/online-course-threat-sharing-and-digital-forensics-from-a-feminist-and-human-rights-perspective/

Global Gathering 2025
Team CommUNITY
September 8 - 10, 2025
Estoril, Portugal
https://www.digitalrights.community/blog/2025-global-gathering-application

MyData 2025 Conference
Helsinki
September 24 - 26, 2025
https://conference.mydata.org/2025

Hold Before You Send It
Digihub Africa 2025
October 8 - 9, 2025
Johannesburg, South Africa
https://www.digihubafrica.org/events/

SEEDIG Youth School 2025
October 10 - 11, 2025
Athens, Greece
https://seedig.net/youth-school/

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

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### Grants, Fellowships, & Awards ###
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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

Effects of the Usage of Digital Technology
The Huo Family Foundation
Deadline: May 23, 2025
https://huofamilyfoundation.org/our-grants/funding-opportunities

The Sustain Fund is Open For Applications
Black Feminist Fund
Deadline: May 24, 2025
https://blackfeministfund.org/grantmaking/

Call for applications: School on Platform Governance
Association for Progressive Communications and Open Net Korea
Deadline: May 25, 2025
https://www.apc.org/en/news/call-applications-school-platform-governance

Omidyar Network's Reporters in Residence (Summer 2025)
Deadline to apply: May 30, 2025
https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/omidyarnetwork/jobs/6848749

Global Agrifood Innovation Challenge 2025
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Deadline: June 7, 2025
https://unfao.brightidea.com/GlobalAgriInnoChallenge2025

Spyware Accountability Initiative Call for Proposals
Deadline: June 13, 2025
https://stopspyware.fund/apply

DDP's Sustainable Protection Fund for East Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia
Deadline: June 13, 2025
https://www.digitaldefenders.org/sustainable-protection-fund-open-call-for-applications-from-eecca-2025/

Sustainable Protection Fund for East Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia
Digital Defenders Partnership
Deadline: June 13, 2025
https://www.digitaldefenders.org/sustainable-protection-fund-open-call-for-applications-from-eecca-2025/

​Tech For Good Investment for Startups
Bethnal Green Ventures
Deadline: June 15, 2025
https://www.bethnalgreenventures.com/apply

EU Action Grants: Detecting Influence Campaigns and Boosting Societal Resilience
Deadline: June 16, 2025
https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/funding/detecting-influence-campaigns-and-boosting-societal-resilience

EU Action Grants: Boosting the Visibility of Fact-checking Content in Europe
Deadline: June 16, 2025
https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/funding/boosting-visibility-fact-checking-content-europe

Digital Good Research Fund ‘Building the Digital Good’
Deadline: June 26, 2025
https://digitalgood.net/digital-good-research-fund-round-3-building-the-digital-good-call-for-applications/

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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