Stories from January, 2016
Netizen Report: Keeping the Spotlight on Syria’s Independent Media
As protests continue in Ethiopia, Bahrain is contracting for new Internet filtering tools. Meanwhile, another Ecuadorean politician faces jail time for critical tweeting.
How Sharing Porn Became a Felony in Russia
While ordinary Internet users in Russia today still have no problem finding adult content, police have begun cracking down on individuals who share porn on social media and peer-to-peer networks.
Two Arrested and then Released for Taking Selfies with Burning Dubai Hotel in the Background
Two men who posted their selfies on social media with Dubai's 63-storey The Address hotel on fire in the background were arrested -- and then released.
Saudi Arabia Arrests Samar Badawi for Tweeting on Behalf of Her Jailed Husband
Saudi Arabia arrested human rights activist Samar Badawi today allegedly for tweeting on behalf of her jailed husband, prominent human rights lawyer Waleed Abulkhair.
Who Protects the Rights of Russian Internet Users? Not These Guys.
Russia's Internet ombudsman and Putin's new Internet advisor believe they have no business defending the rights of Internet users in Russia.
‘Orwellian Dystopia’ or Trustworthy Nation? Get the Facts on China's Social Credit System
Combining individuals' financial records, online shopping data, social media behaviors and employment history, China will now produce a combined "social credit" score for each citizen.
Netizen Report: Facebook’s ‘Free Basics’ App is Under Fire in India, Offline in Egypt
Global Voices Advocacy's Netizen Report offers an international snapshot of challenges, victories, and emerging trends in Internet rights around the world. Netizens in India rang in 2016 amid burning controversy...
Ethiopia Protest Videos Show State Brutality, Despite Tech Barriers
Since student protests erupted in Ethiopia last November, mobile phone videos have offered a glimpse of the government's deadly crackdown on demonstrators.
What to Expect From Russia's State Censor in 2016
The head of Russia's state censor discusses the normalcy of media restrictions, the efficacy of blocking online resources, tackling messenger apps, and much more to come in 2016.
