Cybersecurity is a human rights issue. Human rights defenders, groups that are subject to discrimination, and journalists, among others, rely on the internet to exercise their rights. An open, secure, stable and rights-based internet can only be ensured with the involvement of all stakeholders.
Our member SMEX is hosting its annual Bread&Net event on 1-4 December to address digital rights in the new reality: one that has impacted the digital economy, shifted the conversation around surveillance, and presented new opportunities for governments to censor online speech.
Welcome to the 31st monthly round-up of developments impacting your local access networks.
Connecting the Unconnected: Supporting community networks and other community-based connectivity initiatives
This project will contribute to an enabling ecosystem for the emergence and growth of community networks and other community-based connectivity initiatives in developing countries. It is part of a multi-year, multi-donor strategy envisaged to address the human capacity and sustainability challenges, along with the policy and regulatory obstacles, that limit the growth of community-based connectivity initiatives.
Challenging hate narratives and violations of freedom of religion and expression online in Asia
This project seeks to protect and promote respect for freedom of religion and expression on the internet, particularly by countering hate speech online on the basis of religion, and generating narratives and discourse that defend secular and diverse opinions touching upon religion. The three-year project focuses on five countries in South and Southeast Asia: Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Myanmar and Pakistan.
FIRN: Feminist Internet Research Network
The Feminist Internet Research Network is a three-and-a-half-year collaborative and multidisciplinary research project led by APC, funded by the International Development Research Centre. The project draws on the study “Mapping research in gender and digital technology”, and the Feminist Principles of the Internet collectively crafted by feminists and activists, primarily located in the global South.
Global Information Society Watch
Global Information Society Watch (GISWatch) is an annual report co-produced by the APC network and partners, which looks at the progress being made in creating an inclusive information society worldwide (particularly in implementing WSIS goals), encourages critical debate, and strengthens networking and advocacy for a just, inclusive information society.
As a flag-bearer of digital connectivity in her village in India, Talaria Amruta is helping build community networks through the Digital Empowerment Foundation's “Barefoot Women Wireless Engineers” inititiave.
How do we continually engage stakeholders in advocating for digital rights? How do we expand and reach more people despite limited resources? These were some of the key questions discussed during the fifth and final day of the Internet Rules: Unboxing Digital Laws in Asia workshop.
“Has there been a gendered reality to the issues discussed in the previous sessions of the workshop?” was the question posed. “In every single one” was the immediate response. So began Day 4 of the Internet Rules: Unboxing Digital Laws in South Asia workshop.
Columns
David Souter writes a weekly column for APC, looking at different aspects of the information society, development and rights. David’s pieces take a fresh look at many of the issues that concern APC and its members, with the aim of provoking discussion and debate. Issues covered include internet governance and sustainable development, human rights and the environment, policy, practice and the use of ICTs by individuals and communities.
This joint statement from APC and other civil society organisations around the world addresses the outcomes of the most recent session of the UNGA Third Committee.
The undersigned organisations express their deepest concern about the unprecedented escalation against EIPR, one of Egypt’s oldest and most reputable human rights organisations, including the arbitrary arrest and detention of three EIPR employees by Egyptian security forces since 15 November.
This report aims to provide an overview of the fulfilment and protection of online freedom of expression, identify specific issues related to laws that are often used against it, and also provide recommendations for improvements related to online freedom of expression in Indonesia.
A human rights-based approach to cybersecurity means putting people at the centre and ensuring that there is trust and security in networks and devices that reinforce, rather than threaten, human security. APC explains why, where and how we work on this issue.
This joint statement calls on countries participating in the WTO negotiations on global rules to make it easier for consumers and companies to trade online to design a deal that puts people at its the centre and fully protect their rights.
Digital technologies can help us fight climate change, environmental degradation and pollution, but we must significantly reduce their impact on the planet. One of the key strategies in mitigating this impact is to treat the devices as part of circular economies. This edition of this gu...
In this joint letter, APC, Privacy International and other civil society organisations raise their concerns over the funding and development of projects and initiatives which threaten the right to privacy and other fundamental rights, such as freedom of expression and freedom of assembly.
What is the “corona jihad”? In the time of a pandemic, how has hate speech made matters worse for the Muslim population in India? How do we curb hate speech online? These are just some of the questions that this report aims to answer.
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