Digital Rights Weekly | January 12 to 16
Team CommUNITY
team at digitalrights.community
Thu Jan 15 21:42:04 CET 2026
Hello Digital Rights Defenders!
We hope you all had a good start to the new year with family and friend.
Here is your weekly update on digital rights around the world for the
week of January 12 to 16
As a reminder, you can submit your news for the newsletter here:
https://www.digitalrights.community/weekly-newsletter
___________________
What is in this issue:
TCU
Community News
NEW Job Opportunities
Community Resources
Digital Rights in the Wider World
Events Calendar
Grants, Fellowships, & Awards
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### TCU ###
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1. Equity Fund Relaunched! Apply As Soon As Possible!!!
After a brief pause in 2025 due to historic funding cuts, we are
relaunching our Equity Fund for the Global Gathering 2026 edition. The
fund provides one-to-one travel, lodging, security, and visa assistance
for individuals from at-risk communities or operating in low-resourced
environments who would not be able to attend otherwise. Applications
will be approved on a rolling basis, so please apply as soon as
possible! Find out how to apply:
https://www.digitalrights.community/blog/equity-fund-for-global-gathering-relaunched
2. NEW January 22: Monthly Digital Rights Socials!
We are happy to announce that we are kicking off monthly Digital Rights
Socials! Meet defenders from across the globe, learn about new projects,
share your own work, and discuss updates in the digital rights space!!
Featured experts will be invited on a regular basis. This month, we will
be discussing our goals for 2026.
https://wiki.digitalrights.community/index.php?title=January_22,_2026_Digital_Rights_Social
3. 2026 Digital Rights Field Calendar of Events
Check out our newest calendar of events for all the events taking place
in the digital rights community globally. You can also submit your event
via the newsletter submission form on our website!
https://wiki.digitalrights.community/index.php?title=Calendar_of_Events
4. How to Easily Apply to the 2026 Global Gathering and Updates!
Even if you are not sure if you can attend, we highly encourage everyone
interested in attending this year’s GG to apply as soon as possible -
Find out how and what to expect.
https://www.digitalrights.community/blog/applications/global-gathering-2026-applications-open
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### Community News ###
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1. The Tor Privacy Resilience Grants - Deadline January 19
The Tor Privacy Resilience Grants program is a small grants initiative
designed to provide support for partners in the Global South to conduct
on-the-ground Tor or Tails workshops for activists, human rights
defenders, journalists, and structurally excluded populations.
Applicants can also propose a training for trainers for digital security
practitioners. Applicants can request up to $3,000, with one proposal
accepted per applicant. Deadline January 19 2026.
https://nc.torproject.net/apps/forms/s/ZPWF7M6TzjEKTZorR8mpStkp
2. Datafication & Democracy Fund: Deadline January 30
The Steering Committee of the Global South Alliance, with support from
the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), is pleased to announce the
second edition of their grant for research and policymaking on
datafication and democracy in the Global South. This fund is aimed at
fostering research and policy development related to the crucial
intersection of datafication and democracy in the Global South. Deadline
for applications is January 30th.
https://globalsouthalliance.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/GSA-2025-Call-from-the-Datafication-and-Democracy-Fund.pdf
3. Digital Rights Fund in the West Asia and North Africa
SMEX has a call for innovative proposals that address 12 themes that
fall under digital rights, such as surveillance and spyware, and digital
labor. The fund supports initiatives within the WANA (West Asia and
North Africa) region, specifically Arabic-speaking countries. Grants
amounts are up to $15,000. Deadline January 31, 2026
https://smex.org/digital-rights-fund-in-the-west-asia-and-north-africa/
4. Archive and Resist Conclave in Dhaka, January 26-27
The Archive and Resist Conclave will take place in Dhaka on January 26
to 27. It brings together archivists, human rights defenders,
technologists, transitional justice advocates, and young people who are
building the infrastructure for human rights documentation for memory,
accountability, and reconciliation.
https://archivecon.activaterights.org.
5. Digital Rights Asia-Pacific Assembly (DRAPAC) to Take Place on June 8
to 10
The 2026 Digital Rights Asia-Pacific Assembly (DRAPAC) will hold its
fourth edition from June 8 to 10, 2026 in Manila, Philippines. The event
will center on the theme “Building the Commons: Scaling Collective
Resources for Our Digital Futures.” Learn how to get involved:
https://engagemedia.org/2025/drapac26-manila/
6. February 5 Event: Gaza’s digital Economy Under Siege
7amleh invites you to a webinar on the collapse of Gaza’s digital
economy under blockade and the destruction of telecommunications
infrastructure, where they will share key findings and testimonies from
Gaza’s digital workers, and reflect on what the loss of connectivity
means for livelihoods, survival, and recovery. Additionally, Dr.
Mohammed Alshurafa, author of “The Impact of the Gaza Blockade and the
Destruction of Telecommunications Infrastructure on the Digital Economy
Amidst Genocide,” will present key findings from his research, that is
grounded in survey data and first-hand testimonies from Gaza’s digital
workers.
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_KhfSSNeuReyCPTNGQ508zw#/registration
7. A New Way to Track Russian FIMI
A new report proposes clear terminology and a new model to define,
detect, describe and disrupt FIMI operations. Russian disinformation
campaigns are not random but organised, persistent, and designed to
manipulate how people think, vote, and trust institutions. Despite years
of research and monitoring, responses to these operations remain
fragmented. The lack of coordinated reporting and a shared framework
leads to duplication of efforts and limits the impact of counter-FIMI
measures.
https://euvsdisinfo.eu/seeing-the-whole-picture-a-new-way-to-track-russian-fimi/
8. The Cost of Going Digital: Evaluating Rights Risks in Pakistan’s
Digital Governance
Digital Rights Foundation convened a multi-stakeholder roundtable in
Islamabad to discuss the Digital Nation Act (DNA) 2025 and broader
digital governance issues, identifying significant gaps in data
protection, rights protections, and accountability mechanisms in
Pakistan’s digital policy landscape. Participants from civil society,
academia, and legal and technical sectors highlighted concerns about the
lack of comprehensive safeguards for user privacy, freedom of
expression, and equitable access to digital platforms. The dialogue
underscored the need for more inclusive, rights-centred policy
development and stronger regulatory frameworks to protect digital rights
in Pakistan
https://digitalrightsfoundation.pk/for-immediate-release-drfs-multi-stakeholder-dialogue-highlights-gaps-in-pakistans-digital-governance-framework/
9. IFCN Statement: US Visa Bans on International Researchers Undermine
Press Freedom
The International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) at the Poynter Institute
strongly opposes the Trump administration’s recent decision to deny US
visas to European public officials and civil society leaders. This
action, which includes the blacklisting of individuals for their
professional contributions to information integrity, represents a
disturbing departure from historic principles of free expression.
https://www.rappler.com/world/global-affairs/ifcn-statement-united-states-visa-bans-international-researchers-undermine-press-freedom/
10. TRAMAS: Impacts of Socio-Environmental Conflicts Surrounding the
Digital Cloud and AI in Latin America
TRAMAS is an action-oriented research project that examines case studies
and testimonies of resistance across Latin America, highlighting the
socio-environmental impacts of the digital technology production chain
on communities and their territories. The project collected perspectives
and experiences from land and environmental defenders in Mexico, Chile,
and Brazil, addressing issues such as data centers, rare earth mineral
extraction, toxic waste, and the digitization of agribusiness
monocultures. The project is now available in English.
https://tramas.digital/en/
11. Generative AI Guide for Civil Society
A new guide has been created for Civil Society Organizations on how
generative AI can be approached in a way that aligns with human rights,
accountability, and organizational values. It has been published by the
Digital Justice Network, Parti Co-op and the institute for digital
rights. To create the guide, opinions were gathered from activists
worldwide.
https://www.apc.org/en/pubs/generative-ai-guide-civil-society
__________________________________________
### NEW Job Opportunities ###
__________________________________________
You can access these and other jobs by visiting our job board:
https://www.digitalrights.community/job-board
+ Pre-Crime Programme Manager, Open Rights Group (ORG)
- Homebased in the UK
+ Digital Security Lead, Client Engagement and Communications,
Equality Labs
- Remote based in the US
+ Senior Director, Digital Security
- Remote based in the US
+ Executive Assistant, 5Rights Foundation
- Belgium
+ Policy Officer, 5Rights Foundation
- UK or Belgium
+ IT/System Engineer, Meedan
- Remote
+ Full Stack Product Engineer, Meedan
- Remote
+ Communications Specialist, IFEX
- Remote
+ Network Engagement Coordinator (Spanish), IFEX
- Remote
Please note, numerous jobs were posted in the end of December during the
break. Please check out the job board for those as well.
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### Community Resources ###
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1. Expanding the Web of Control
PEN has released research into censorship laws and mechanisms that are
impacting US universities. Among the key findings, government censorship
of free speech and academic freedom has reached unprecedented heights on
U.S. campuses as lawmakers extend a web of political and ideological
control over the sector; More than half of U.S. college and university
students now study in a state with at least one law or policy
restricting what can be taught or how campuses can operate; The current
administration has weaponized multiple levers of state power to coerce
colleges and universities into compliance with its ideological diktats.
https://pen.org/report/americas-censored-campuses-25-web-of-control/
2. The Bulgarian Mechanic Kremlin Propaganda Keeps Killing
For almost a decade, Nikolay Gentchev has faced a strange question:
“You’re not dead, are you?” A photo of the Bulgarian mechanic has been
regularly published on pro-Russian sites claiming he was burned alive by
a Ukrainian mob in Odesa in the aftermath of the protests that drove the
country’s last pro-Kremlin ruler from power in 2014. His picture has
since been used as proof that Ukrainians hate or are hostile to Bulgaria
and Bulgarians. Despite Gentchev’s repeated attempts since 2017 to put
the record straight, the story and his photo continue to circulate on
social media and in parts of the Bulgarian press.
https://www.digitaljournal.com/social-media/the-bulgarian-mechanic-kremlin-propaganda-keeps-killing/article
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### Digital Rights in the Wider World ###
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1. Iran: Bloodshed Unfolding Amid Communications Blackout
People in Iran are experiencing the fifth day of a near total
communications blackout, deliberately imposed by the regime to conceal a
massacre of its own people. International human rights groups and media
outlets are piecing together the horrific scale of the killing, torture,
and mass arrests.
The estimates of those killed in Iran since the protests began at the
end of December 2025 vary considerably, as verification of figures
remains difficult due to the communications shutdown. A widely cited
figure from human rights group Iran Human Rights puts the toll at least
648 people, but this is likely a severe underestimate. According to the
Human Rights Activists News Agency, more 10,700 people have been
detained since the start of the protests
https://www.article19.org/resources/iran-bloodshed-unfolding-amid-communications-blackout/
2. Venezuelans Still Need a VPN to Access X
Digital rights group Ve Sin Filtro debunks rumors that the X ban has
been lifted. Using a VPN is still required to access X in Venezuela,
despite rumors suggesting that the ban on the platform had been lifted.
https://www.techradar.com/vpn/vpn-privacy-security/no-meaningful-changes-venezuelans-still-need-a-vpn-to-access-x
3. Uganda Shuts Down Internet Ahead of Thursday's General Election
The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) directed the suspension of
public internet access and selected mobile services during the election
period which was slated for January 15. The directive started on January
13th at 6:00pm.
https://www.citizen.digital/article/uganda-shuts-down-internet-ahead-of-thursdays-general-election-n375682
Paradigm Initiative has condemned the internet shutdown.
https://www.myjoyonline.com/paradigm-initiative-condemns-internet-shutdown-ahead-of-uganda-elections/
4. Proton's Lifetime Account Raffle Raises $1.27 million for Ten Digital
Rights Organizations
Proton’s 2025 Lifetime Account Charity Fundraiser generated $1.27
million for community chosen digital-rights organizations. The campaign
offered exclusive Proton Lifetime accounts and drew more than 100,000
ticket purchases from over 50,000 participants. The Proton Foundation
added a further $200,000 from its reserves.
https://www.techradar.com/vpn/vpn-services/protons-lifetime-account-raffle-raises-usd1-27-million-for-digital-rights-advocates
5. Indian Digital Rights Group Warns Modi Govt’s Proposed Smartphone
Rules Could Enable Mass Surveillance
The Internet Freedom Foundation has expressed alarm over the proposed
“Indian Telecom Security Assurance Requirements” for smartphones,
warning that the measures could enable sweeping surveillance, undermine
device security and violate constitutional privacy protections.
The proposals, currently under consideration, would mandate the
disclosure of proprietary source code, require companies to retain
device logs for 12 months and seek government pre approval for major
operating system updates and security patches.
https://kmsnews.org/kms/2026/01/13/indian-digital-rights-group-warns-modi-govts-proposed-smartphone-rules-could-enable-mass-surveillance.html
6. Apple Issues Urgent iOS 26.2 Update as an iPh-ne Security Warning
Apple’s iOS 26.2 update patches active spyware threats and fixes
critical security flaws, making it a must-install update for iPhone users.
https://www.pcquest.com/news-launches/apple-issues-urgent-ios-262-update-as-an-iphone-security-warning-10998884
7. Pegasus: Colombia’s Justice Minister Says Military Hacked His Phone
Colombia’s justice minister said that evidence suggests that the Defense
Ministry used Israeli spyware Pegasus to hack his phone in the second
half of last year. In a post on social media platform X, acting Justice
Minister Andres Idarraga said that his phone was hacked while he was
investigating corruption in the military as President Gustavo Petro’s
anti-corruption czar.
https://colombiareports.com/pegasus-colombias-justice-minister-says-military-hacked-his-phone/
8. Indonesian Energy Giant's Disinformation Strategy
In Indonesia, the news site Floresa’s reporting on geothermal projects
is a thorn in the side of the public utility company. To counter
investigations by the independent media organization, PLN has reportedly
recruited around 30 journalists to spread pro-geothermal messaging
across the island of Flores. People close to PLN and supporters of the
government have also been republishing a disinformation campaign on
Facebook, targeting Floresa and opponents.
https://forbiddenstories.org/silence-journalists-indonesian-power-utility-pln/
9. Poland Asks EU to Probe TikTok Over Suspected Russian AI
Disinformation Campaign
Poland has urged the European Commission to investigate TikTok after the
platform hosted artificial intelligence-generated videos calling for
Poland to withdraw from the European Union, a move Warsaw said was
almost certainly part of a Russian disinformation effort, Reuters reported.
https://babl.ai/poland-asks-eu-to-probe-tiktok-over-suspected-russian-ai-disinformation-campaign/
10. Washington Post Reporter Was Searched by the FBI
The home of Hannah Natanson, a Washington Post reporter, was searched by
the FBI. Her devices were seized. Runa Sandvik, whose life’s work is
protecting journalists’ digital security, assesses the damage—and what
news organizations need to know.
https://www.cjr.org/news/hannah-natanson-fbi-washington-post-raid-devices-seized-runa-sandvik-security-computer-phone-laptop-sources.php
_____________________________________
### Events Calendar ###
______________________________________
Did you know you could submit your events for inclusion in our
newsletter? It takes a few minutes to submit:
https://www.digitalrights.community/weekly-newsletter
Additionally, we maintain a calendar of events in our wiki:
https://wiki.digitalrights.community/index.php?title=Calendar_of_Events
Strategy Design Festival
January 20, 2026
London
https://www.fabriders.net/strategy-design-festival/
Digital Rights Social
January 22, 2026
Virtual
https://wiki.digitalrights.community/index.php?title=January_22,_2026_Digital_Rights_Social
Archive and Resist Conclave
January 26-27
Dhaka
https://archivecon.activaterights.org
Gaza’s digital Economy Under Siege
February 5
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_KhfSSNeuReyCPTNGQ508zw#/registration
Palestine Digital Activism Forum (PDAF) 2026
March 30 to 31, 2026
https://pdaf.net/about-theme
International Journalism Festival (IJF)
April 15 to 18, 2026
Perugia, Italy
https://www.journalismfestival.com/
Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum
April 14-16
Abidjan, Ivory Coast
https://sessionize.com/digital-rights-and-inclusion-forum26/
RightCon 2026
May 5-8
Lusaka, Zambia
https://www.rightscon.org/
Digital Rights Asia-Pacific Assembly (DRAPAC)
June 8 to 10
Manila, Philippines
https://engagemedia.org/2025/drapac26-manila/
Free and Open Communications on the Internet (FOCI)
July 20, 2026
Hybrid, co-located with PETS in Calgary, Canada
https://foci.community/
Global Gathering
September 4 to 6, 2026
Portugal
https://www.digitalrights.community/blog/applications/global-gathering-2026-applications-open
Digital Commons:Infrastructures, Design, and the Ethics of Autonomy
October 8 to 10
Athens, Greece
www.digicommons.org
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### Grants, Fellowships, & Awards ###
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The Tor Privacy Resilience Grants
Deadline January 19
https://nc.torproject.net/apps/forms/s/ZPWF7M6TzjEKTZorR8mpStkp
Datafication & Democracy Fund: Deadline January 30
Deadline: January 30th.
https://globalsouthalliance.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/GSA-2025-Call-from-the-Datafication-and-Democracy-Fund.pdf
Digital Rights Fund in the West Asia and North Africa
Deadline January 31, 2026
https://smex.org/digital-rights-fund-in-the-west-asia-and-north-africa/
Datafication & Democracy Fund
Deadline January 30
https://globalsouthalliance.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/GSA-2025-Call-from-the-Datafication-and-Democracy-Fund.pdf
Dr Goodluck Jonathan Freedom of Information Awards 2026
Deadline: January 31, 2026.
https://mediarightsagenda.org/media-rights-agenda-invites-entries-from-journalists-for-goodluck-jonathan-foi-awards-2026/
- Carr-Ryan Center Fellowship
- Global LGBTQI+ Human Rights Fellowship
- Racial Justice Fellowship
- Technology and Human Rights Fellowship.
Deadline: February 22, 2026
https://www.hks.harvard.edu/centers/carr-ryan/opportunities/fellowship-opportunities/technology-and-human-rights-fellowship
La Escuela Virtual de Gobernanza de Internet
Deadline: February 8, 2026
https://www.virtualsig.org/2025/12/02/982/
Digital Freedom Fund
Deadline: February 17
https://digitalfreedomfund.org/grants/
InDiCo-Global. Deadline
Deadline: June 30, 2026
https://indico-global-grants.eu/indico-global-third-open-call
__________________________________________
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