Stories about TOPICS from September, 2022
Unfreedom Monitor report: Morocco
Advox research into digital authoritarianism in Morocco is now in a report. Read an excerpt and download the full pdf.
‘The Art of the Steal?': Russia’s online voting problem
Online voting in an increasingly autocratic Russia means election results should be treated with increased scepticism, not presented as regime approval.
The Greek spyware scandal: When technology outpaces governance
This ongoing scandal in Greece highlights an issue that all countries are grappling with: the regulatory mechanisms meant to safeguard civilians’ digital rights have not kept up with the times.
Unfreedom Monitor Report: Egypt
Advox research into digital authoritarianism in Egypt is now in a report. Read an excerpt and download the full pdf.
Global Voices seeks country-level researchers for our Advox project
Advox, the digital rights initiative of Global Voices, is seeking country-level researchers to contribute to a project about networked societies and authoritarianism.
Brazil's Electoral Court brings platforms closer ahead of presidential elections, but questions over companies’ commitments remain
All the agreements are non-binding, however, which means there will be no enforcement in the case a platform does not meet the actions listed in the MoU.
Policing the pandemic: Australia’s technology response to COVID-19
Australian governments approached the use of digital technologies from an ideological perspective, heavily leaning on control and surveillance.
Unfreedom Monitor report: Tanzania
Advox research into digital authoritarianism in Tanzania is now in a report. Read an excerpt and download the full pdf.
Red-tagged independent media blocked in Philippine internet back online
Bulatlat news website back online after a court pushback
An estate under siege: How the press in Zimbabwe is being gagged
Journalists are caught up in the crosshairs of a strategic battle to churn out narratives acceptable to either the state or opposition parties.
LIVE on September 22: Techno-authoritarianism in India
India's rapid digitization has been accompanied by an array of practices that curtail citizens' liberties. Join us on September 22 for a discussion of how citizens are pushing back.
Repeated cyberattacks across the Western Balkans highlight need for an organized approach to security
Microsoft experts trace the Albanian attack, which took out public services websites to Iran, leading the Albanian government to take diplomatic action.
LIVE on September 15: Can citizens of democracies still trust the law?
As digital authoritarianism spreads globally, is the law, one of the pillars of democracy, being used to undermine people's rights?
Unfreedom Monitor report: Zimbabwe
Advox research into digital authoritarianism in Zimbabwe is now in a report. Read an excerpt and download the full pdf.
Will Georgia break the cycle of surveillance in return for EU membership?
The Council of Europe's Venice Commission issued an Urgent Opinion on Georgia's recently passed amendments on the so- called wiretapping law on August 26.
Chinese social media platforms add hidden digital watermarks to track screenshot sharing
At least two Chinese social media platforms have added a script to their sites and applications to generate a hidden digital watermark to track the original user behind screenshot sharing.
Solomon Islands threatens to block ‘disrespectful’ foreign journalists from entering the country
"This has nothing to do with "demeaning coverage" and everything to do with a government in Honiara allergic to scrutiny."
North Macedonia journalist organizations condemn verbal attack against female journalist
Garbage collectors in Skopje threatened a journalist who documented their lack of work by implying harm to herself, her family and even her dog, demanding that she delete incriminating photos.
Unfreedom Monitor Report: Information
Advox research into misinformation, disinformation, and mal-information is now in a report. Read an excerpt and download the full pdf.
Kenya’s corporate, NGO and public sectors keep violating copyright laws on image rights
Lawsuits for copyright violations against organisations in Kenya’s private and public sectors have been increasing. So has the appropriation of images from current and former employees and customers.
