Stories about Tech & Tools from October, 2016
Morocco Unblocks VoIP Applications Ahead of UN Climate Conference
"To avoid being seen as a police state during the #COP22, Morocco temporarily unblocks VoIP services," tweeted one user.
Leaked Xinjiang Police Report Describes Circumvention Tools as ‘Terrorist Software’
The report describes using VPNs as an indicator of criminality, or a “pre-criminal” behavior, perhaps a harbinger of tighter restrictions to come.
Chinese Netizens See Human Rights Violations in Child Protection Bill
The new regulations attempt to protect children by requiring hardware companies to install surveillance software on their devices, and by promoting treatments for "Internet addiction."
Ethiopian Authorities Shut Down Mobile Internet and Major Social Media Sites
Those close to the situation fear this may be the beginning of a dangerous new phase after 12 months of protests.
Reality, Conspiracy and the US ‘Internet Freedom’ Agenda: Deconstructing Iran's Case Against Nizar Zakka
Nizar Zakka, a Lebanese citizen was arrested and sentenced to 10 years in prison by Iranian for leading U.S. funded projects in Iran. We deconstruct this situation.
WhatsApp Reportedly Blocked in Yemen, Mobile Operator Cites ‘Technical Issues’
Censorship of online content has surged in Yemen since the beginning of the conflict opposing Houthi rebels and forces loyal to president Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi.
Bangladesh Introduces ‘Smart’ National Identity Cards
Collecting massive amounts of personal and biometric data opens up thorny issues around security and surveillance. As the database is built up, who will gain access to it?
Netizen Report: Open Source Developers Endure Long Prison Sentences, And Worse
Global Voices Advocacy's Netizen Report offers an international snapshot of challenges, victories, and emerging trends in Internet rights around the world.
Help End the Imprisonment of Iranian Web Developer Saeed Malekpour
Saeed Malekpour was arrested and jailed in 2008 over someone else's use of his open source code to upload pornographic material to the Internet.