Stories about Feature from June, 2023
A brief overview of AI use in West Asia and North Africa
In general, using Artificial Intelligence technologies almost always allows for greater surveillance of individuals, and therefore, is especially concerning in authoritarian regimes.
Disinformation helps weaponize homophobia in the Balkans
After 2013, Moscow has emerged as major generator of homophobic narratives that exploit existing endemic intolerance in the Balkans region.
Post-pandemic, lockdown on rights persists in the Philippines
The restrictions and repressive measures imposed during the pandemic have continued to have a chilling effect on the local population.
Interview with Bao Choy, a Hong Kong reporter who won a 3-year legal battle over investigative journalism
"We have to admit that Hong Kong is gradually getting worse. And it will continue to deteriorate. But it is still important to meticulously document every small change in the city."
Digital rights activist groups urge tech giants to defend against Hong Kong’s injunctions against protest anthem
More than 24 human rights and digital rights groups believed that the injunctions, once granted, would have a “disastrous effect” on freedom of expression and information access, with global implications.
Unfreedom Monitor Report: Access
Advox research into internet access, shutdowns and interruptions is now in a report. Read an excerpt and download the full pdf.
Hong Kong Court asks: Who are the defendants of the protest anthem injunctions?
"Even if [the injunction] successfully restrained Google, it would only prohibit its circulation within Hong Kong. The SAR government has to apply an injunction in the U.S.A to take down the videos globally […]"
Zimbabwe’s uneven electoral field: Data protection laws used to deny digital voter roll inspection
In April this year, a number of eligible voters received accurately targeted campaign SMS messages from the ruling party, with details such as voters’ full names and where message recipients had registered to vote.
Unfreedom Monitor Report: Kyrgyzstan
Advox research into digital authoritarianism in Kyrgyzstan is now in a report. Read an excerpt and download the full pdf.
Hong Kong seeks to ban protest anthem ‘Glory to Hong Kong’ in all media
The Justice Department seeks to ban the broadcasting, performing, printing, publishing, selling, sale offering, distributing, disseminating, displaying or reproducing in any media forms and channels the song.
Unfreedom Monitor Report: Kenya
Advox research into digital authoritarianism in Kenya is now in a report. Read an excerpt and download the full pdf.
Hong Kong authorities clamp down on the annual commemoration of the 1989 Tiananmen crackdown
Ahead of the 34th anniversary of the June 4th 1989 Tiananmen crackdowns, the Chinese term “special days” or “special occasion” replaced former political slogans like “vindication of June 4” because of censorship
How technology has entrenched the authoritarian electoral practice of controlling political choice in Kenya's democracy
Kenya is representative of a nation where elections do not equate to democracy, and technological advancements have only provided the government with leverage over its citizens’ political choice.
Comedian and YouTube content creator arrested in Sri Lanka over satire on Buddhism
The recent arrests of stand-up comedian Nathasha Edirisooriya and social media activist Bruno Divakara have sparked new public debate about the issue of free expressions and the boundaries of comedy.
‘I am worried that my work will put someone in jail': Interview with Zunzi, iconic Hong Kong cartoonist
In the past eight months, Zunzi has been repeatedly "pinned down" by different government departments, accusing him of "inciting public discontent with the government," "defaming the police force," "making biased, misleading and false claims," and more.
Unfreedom Monitor Report: Speech
Advox research into freedom of speech is now in a report. Read an excerpt and download the full pdf.
The books Hong Kong is purging from public libraries
In the latest round of removal, in addition to political satires, titles by civil society figures, politicians, and humanity scholars also disappeared.
