Stories about TOPICS from June, 2020
India's digital ID system deepens exclusion of vulnerable communities amid pandemic
The use of Aadhaar-based authentication makes exclusions more likely.
Students arrested for demanding internet facilities in Balochistan
A number of students were manhandled, baton-charged and arrested in Quetta, Balochistan, for protesting against non-availability of internet after their classes shifted online due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Kyrgyzstan's journalists fear yet another hurdle to freedom of speech
Kyrgyzstan's parliament has passed a law against "manipulating information." Given their recent experiences, it's no surprise that the country's journalists worry what it might mean for freedom of speech.
Activists demand end to year-long internet disruption in Myanmar's Rakhine and Chin States
In the middle of a global pandemic, access to information is even more critical than usual.
Timor-Leste plans to restore criminal defamation law amid concerns about its free speech impact
"This draft law threatens everyone, particularly vulnerable people without political connections or financial resources. "
Philippines media faces ‘eternal threat of punishment’ after cyber libel convictions
"If we can’t hold power to account, we can’t do anything," Rappler CEO Maria Ressa said after her conviction.
A new game plays with ideas about how disinformation works in East Africa
"Chose Your Own Fake News" is an online game that teaches new internet users how to be more discerning about the information they receive and encounter in digital spaces.
Malaysia’s new government probes journalists, critics despite free speech pledge
Civic groups argue that the Communications and Multimedia Act is being wielded as a weapon against free speech.
Call for writers: Global Voices seeks pitches for digital rights stories
We are currently looking for authors to write about the following countries: Lebanon, Liberia, Rwanda, Namibia, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Senegal, and Democratic Republic of Congo.
Censorship tactics overshadow Vietnam's successful COVID-19 response
Dinh Thi Thu Thuy faces from five to 12 years in jail if she is convicted for disseminating critical Facebook posts.
Internet shutdowns in Sudan: The story behind the numbers and statistics
In the last several years, Sudan experienced two major internet shutdowns that seriously prohibited basic communication and exchange during politically charged periods, causing exponential losses and risks.
Silicon Valley tech giants race to build Africa's internet infrastructure. Should Africa worry?
Google and Facebook are building undersea internet cables for Africans with access to high-speed internet — but 33 nations in Africa still don't have comprehensive data privacy laws.
‘A possible violation’: Mexico's biggest telecommunications operator is blocking Tor network
The Tor network is a free and open-source software used throughout the world by those who wish to exercise their freedom of expression and information while maintaining their privacy and anonymity.
Password hack claim puts cyber security on the public agenda in North Macedonia
The government said that no user data was compromised in the apparent attack.
Pakistan blocks Twitter, Zoom and Periscope to curb critical voices
In mid-May, Twitter, Zoom and Persicope were either blocked or throttled across Pakistan. Activists say the move was meant to target a few web conferences on human rights issues.
How COVID-19 is intensifying content moderation’s flaws
Internet platforms have always struggled with free expression, misinformation, and hate speech. But the COVID crisis has elevated those problems to a new level
Cryptocurrency scammers flood Facebook users with ads for fake Forbes.com articles
Data publicly provided by Facebook about the adverts' reach indicate they have traveled far beyond North Macedonia, activists warn.
As COVID-19 accelerates digital transformation, is the internet safe for women in the Middle East?
Women activists and journalists experience are particularly targeted online in attempts to intimidate, sow disinformation and discredit their work.
