Stories about Feature from April, 2016
Netizen Report: In Chad, You Can Rock the Vote, But Watch Your Back
Chad disconnects Internet access for first-round presidential voting, local officials in India are none too pleased about WhatApp's new encryption, and Mexico reconsiders major telecommunications legislation.
Mexico’s Controversial ‘Telecom Law’ Is Now in the Supreme Court’s Court
"In a country with a serious democratic deficit and in which public officials are responsible for attacks on journalists and dissidents, these measures could be used to pursue uncomfortable opinions."
Xulhaz Mannan, an LGBT Activist in Bangladesh, Is the Latest Victim in a String of Brutal Killings
Since 2005, at least 23 bloggers and activists have been killed and scores of others attacked or threatened with death for their progressive and secular views.
A University Professor Is Hacked to Death, Another Victim of Deadly Intolerance in Bangladesh
Rezaul Karim Siddique joins a long list of intellectuals, bloggers and foreigners who have lost their lives in similar killings purportedly carried out by Islamist militants.
Azerbaijan's Hunger Games: Independent Media on the Brink
"We declare yet again, by opening this absurd criminal investigation the government of Azerbaijan is creating barriers to freedom of speech, and journalism activity."
Netizen Report: That Time When the Internet in Ecuador Died
Ecuador weathers a sudden mass Internet outage, insulting Tanzania's president proves costly, Twitter gets settled unsettlingly in China, and more.
Dissidents Worry #TwitterisDead After Company Hires Former Chinese Military Officer
"This is a severe threat to the Chinese struggling for free speech."
Tanzania's Cybercrime Act Makes It Dangerous to “Insult” the President on Facebook
Tanzanian netizen Isaac Habakuk Emily is accused of posting a controversial Facebook message "insulting" the president of Tanzania.
Cambodian Human Rights Group Criticizes Telecoms Law
Some observers suspect that the law reflects the ruling party's desire to stifle online discussions as elections approach in 2017 and 2018.
#FreeShawkan: After 900 Days in Jail, Egyptian Photographer Finally Faces Trial
"I look around and I am left with the reality of four ugly windowless walls and a never ending dream of freedom."
Netizen Report: Advocates Stand Up to Cybercrime Legislation in Brazil and Pakistan
Cybercrime battles rage in Pakistan and Brazil, Italian regulators put a lid on Hacking Team, and Wikimedia loses copyright fight in Sweden.
A Breakdown of the Current Version of Brazil's Cybercrimes Bill
Following criticism, the Commission made some changes to the most controversial elements of the legislation. But a battle still lies ahead.
Iranian Blogger Struggles for Health and Freedom After 18 Days on Hunger Strike
Anti-censorship activist and blogger Hossein Ronaghi Maleki has been on hunger strike since March 26, and his health is deteriorating rapidly.
Netizen Report: US-Iran Tensions Rise Over Cyber Conflict, Human Rights
Death toll rises yet again for secular Bangladeshis, China scrubs #PanamaPapers from the Web and Egypt exploits two-step verification to target activists' online accounts.
The Russian Art of Meta-Stalking
Russian photographer Egor Tsvetkov says his work exposes how “digital narcissism” often “provokes online stalking.” But is his latest project doing the same thing?
Secular Activist Targeted and Killed in Bangladesh
The 28-year-old law student was murdered by three assailants in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on April 7, 2016. The young man was most likely targeted for his critiques of religious conservatism.
Two-Step Verification in Egypt: Strength or Weakness for Online Security?
Independent researchers in Egypt have identified what appears to be a new technical avenue for state surveillance: manipulation of the two-step verification process. Many activists, journalists and regular citizens throughout...
In Kenya, Banned Music Video Celebrating Same-Sex Love Stays on YouTube
The Kenya Film Classification Board has banned the video arguing that "it does not adhere to the morals of the country."
Maldives Media Crackdown Triggers Forced Newspaper Closure, Journalist Arrests
Riot police used brute force and pepper spray and strip-searched both male and female journalists, who hailed from several local media organizations.
Chinese Censors Erase #PanamaPapers Evidence From Web
The leaked files reveal offshore companies linked to China's top leader, who has vowed to fight "armies of corruption". But most mainland Chinese haven't even heard about them.
