Stories about Surveillance from February, 2014
#AB14: If I speak out, will I be punished for it?
Focusing on policies for the digital realm seems strange in a region where dissent and even fact-based reporting, whether they happen online or offline, so often have profound real-life consequences.
Hong Kong Police Made Thousands of Personal Data Requests With No Judicial Oversight
In 2013, the Hong Kong Police Force made 7,462 requests for user data under the pretext of "crime investigation", yet the process was not monitored by any judicial bodies.
Digital Surveillance in Angola and Other “Less Important” African Countries
Detection of malware in Africa's largest countries seems to be of ongoing interest to researchers. But what about those countries that are "less important" on the global stage?
Arab Bloggers: A Blessed Generation?
"It’s no surprise that three years after the start of the Arab revolutions, the situation of online freedom of expression in the region seems almost as bleak as it did before 2011." Hisham Almiraat reflects on #AB14.
Walkie-Talkie App Zello Blocked in Venezuela
Authorities were monitoring protester communications over the mobile push-to-talk app Zello. Now, they're blocking it.
Love in the Time of Code Era: A Poem About Secure Communication
"It's been a year you first whispered in my ear that PGP is of no use anymore."
Web We Want Contest: Cartoonists Fight Back!
The Web We Want initiative challenged artists everywhere to produce cartoons on the topic of NSA surveillance, in support of #TheDayWeFightBack -- here are the winners!
China: Prostitution Crackdown Reveals Mass Mobile Surveillance Abuses
A feature on China Central Television that traced the pathways of sex trade workers and clients indicates that the Chinese government is using mass surveillance over mainland mobile networks.
Brazilian Activists Fight Back Against Mass Surveillance
As the world comes together to take a stand against mass surveillance on February 11, 2014, Brazilian citizens, organizations and collectives are bringing momentum to #TheDayWeFightBack campaign.
Privacy vs. Free Speech? Questioning the Conflict
"In the Arab world...we are still struggling to have our voices heard. I cannot accept the idea that the fight has now moved to the area of surveillance and away from free speech."
Iran on the Day to End Mass Surveillance
On the "Day We Fight Back", one digital rights group urges the world not to forget that pervasive surveillance has long been part of everyday life in Iran.
The Day We Fight Back, à la Française
After Edward Snowden's leaks became public, France's practices of Internet surveillance soon appeared in plain sight. This Tuesday, French citizens will join the global effort to stop mass government surveillance.
February 11: The Internet Says No to Mass Surveillance
On February 11, people all over the world will come together to take a stand against mass surveillance. Anyone, anywhere can participate -- whether you're taking to the streets, or to the Web.