Stories from July, 2017
Brunei Government Employee Complaining About Halal Certification Charged with Sedition Over Facebook Post
"Anyways that guy that's being charged with speaking out against the govt is a reminder that we don't have freedom of speech," wrote a Twitter user.
Vietnamese Activist Trần Thị Nga Sentenced to 9 Years for ‘Propaganda’
The 40-year-old Trần Thị Nga, also known by her pen name “Thúy Nga,” is a prominent advocate for migrants and land rights.
Facebook’s Free Basics Doesn't Connect You to the Global Internet – But it Does Collect Your Data
Regardless of whether they log into Facebook, users of Free Basics are constantly sharing their data with Facebook.
Is Free Basics Really Bringing More Africans Online? A Case Study From Ghana
A group of Global Voices contributors tested the Free Basics app in six countries across the globe this spring. Here's what we found in Ghana.
Can Facebook Connect the Next Billion?
New research by Global Voices tech and digital rights experts in Colombia, Ghana, Kenya, Mexico, Pakistan and the Philippines exposes the ups and downs of Facebook's "Free Basics" app.
Who Are the #Istanbul10? Learn About the Work of Jailed Human Rights Defenders in Turkey
A group of human rights defenders and information technology trainers continue to face jail time in Turkey and accusations that they were "aiding a terrorist organization without being a member."
Puerto Rican Newspaper Cans Popular Comic Strip, Raising Concerns Over Censorship
Pepito is known for its sharp critique of the government and of elected officials in both the governments of Puerto Rico and of the United States.
Arrest Over a Facebook Rant Brings Trinidad & Tobago's Cybercrime Legislation Into Sharp Focus
"Overbroad content offences are always illegitimate, but are particularly dangerous online, where many people are still in the process of discovering their voice."
Bahraini Rights Activist Ebtisam Al-Saegh Charged Under Terrorism Law
Bahraini authorities have constantly harassed Al-Saegh because of her rights activism.
Russia's Parliament Went on a Censorship Binge Today
The Kremlin is cracking down on online anonymity. Again.
Kyrgyzstan Blocks Archive.org on ‘Extremism’ Grounds
Russia also moved to block the website and its popular 'Wayback Machine' two years ago.
Lebanese Government Bans All Protests Right Before a Syrian Refugee Solidarity Sit-In
Activists called for a protest after four Syrian refugees died while in the custody of the Lebanese army.
Netizen Report: Authorities in China and Indonesia Threaten Whatsapp, Telegram Over Political Content
Global Voices Advocacy's Netizen Report offers an international snapshot of challenges, victories, and emerging trends in Internet rights around the world.
China's Xinjiang Residents Are Being Forced to Install Surveillance Apps on Mobile Phones
Local netizens reported that police officers at check points are randomly searching residents' devices to see if they have installed the surveillance app.
Ethiopia's Music of Resistance Stays Strong, Despite Repression
Amid wide-scale protests and a violent government crackdown, Afan Oromo musicians have begun to rise as a visible — and audible — driving inspiration for the opposition movement.
In State of Emergency, Turkey Jails Six Human Rights Defenders Pending Trial
"The accusations of aiding an armed terrorist organisation against them are groundless. Workshops of this kind are common, essential education for human rights organisations."
Bangladesh's ICT Act Paved the Way for Hundreds Lawsuits Over Online Speech
There are currently 319 cases being heard in the courts under Bangladesh's notoriously broad ICT Act. Many of them involve lawsuits against journalists.
Censorship After Death: Chinese Netizens Quietly Mourn Nobel Laureate Liu Xiaobo
"After [Liu Xiaobo's] death, any mention of his name in English and Chinese is enough to get messages blocked.""After [Liu Xiaobo's] death, any mention of his name in English and Chinese is enough to get messages blocked."
Netizen Report: Colombian Court Demands Password to Journalist’s Facebook Account
Mobile internet goes down again in Kashmir, Turkish human rights advocates are detained with no charges, and a Philippine Senator pushes anti-fake news bill.
Ethiopian Musicians Charged With Terrorism for ‘Inciting’ Song Lyrics
In the face of government repression, Afan Oromo musicians have risen as a visible -- and audible -- source of inspiration for the opposition movement.
