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The Taliban must #KeepItOn
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Afghanistan completely shuts down the internet — and not even VPNs can help
When authorities block communications platforms, people often turn to virtual private networks (VPNs) to circumvent the shutdown — but that requires a live internet connection. When both internet and telephony services were severed in Afghanistan, so were “the last remaining lifelines connecting people to the outside world," Access Now’s Felicia Anthonio told TechRadar, underscoring that the international community must demand an end to such human rights violations. Read more via TechRadar
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From shutdowns to takedowns
India court rejects X’s “free speech” argument, backs government takedown powers
The Indian government has a track record of demanding that social media companies remove content or accounts they deem too critical or outspoken, notably on X. Recently, for the second time in two years, an Indian court dismissed X’s attempts to push back against the takedowns and the use of “Sahyog,” the government portal that allows Indian authorities to directly order social media companies to remove content. X now plans to appeal. Read more via TechCrunch
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New limits to surveillance in Gaza
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Following an in-depth investigation by The Guardian, 972+ Magazine, and Local Call revealing that the Israeli military’s elite spy agency, Unit 8200, has been storing and presumably analyzing recordings of Palestinians’ phone calls using Microsoft’s cloud servers, the company announced that it had cut off the unit’s access to specific cloud storage and the ability to use some AI technologies. While we welcome this first step, we call on Microsoft to immediately end all business relationships with the Israeli military and other government bodies where there is evidence that these may be contributing to grave human rights abuses and international crimes, including genocide. Read more via The Guardian
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Russia’s digital iron curtain closes further
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It’s imperative that democracies reject digital authoritarian tactics that put human rights at risk. Yet as part of their vision for a “Fortress Europe,” EU lawmakers are pushing for a dramatic expansion of the resources and powers of its border agency, Frontex — which would increase their access to surveillance technologies used against migrants and racialized people. Commenting on the plans, the #ProtectNotSurveil coalition, of which Access Now is a member, notes that given the agency’s poor human rights track record, any expansion of its mandate also represents a “problematic expansion of the EU security and surveillance industrial complex,” and is likely to lead to further “systemic and massive human rights violations.” Read more via #ProtectNotSurveil
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If you’re an activist, human rights defender, or journalist, you might be considering the use of a burner phone. Speaking to WIRED, Al-Maskati explains how they can be useful when “crossing borders, traveling to a risky environment, or participating in or documenting a protest,” adding that “people should make these decisions based on their risk profile and the threats they feasibly face.” Read more via WIRED
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Opportunities and other highlights
APPLY: Pulitzer Center AI reporting grants
The Pulitzer Center is currently inviting applications from staff reporters and freelancers, particularly from Global Majority countries, to join a reporting initiative focused on AI and surveillance technologies and how they impact on communities worldwide. Learn more and apply. Read more via the Pulitzer Center
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