22 Jan ‘20: Responsible Tech Bulletin (Africa)

1) Paradigm Initiative joined a group of global digital rights organisations to file an amicus brief in the ongoing US case filed by WhatsApp against the NSO Group (of Pegasus spyware infamy). It argues that NSO should be held accountable for privacy violations http://bloom.bg/3c21qqA

2) Research ICT Africa analysed 14 African countries and found adoption of facial recognition in eight, smart cities in seven, and smart policing in six. Often without regulatory safeguards — e.g. 8 either have no or un-enforced privacy law. bit.ly/3qPtba3

3) Paradigm Initiative announced the launch of the Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum (DRIF21), a pan-Africa digital rights event that is co-hosted by organisations in 12 African countries, and will discuss how to advance digital rights and inclusion in Africa https://bit.ly/2NgwRTt

4) Research ICT Africa’s new policy brief highlighted significant gender discrimination in the gig economy in Africa. Even with the same digital skills and education level, males on gig platforms receive 58% higher wages than females https://bit.ly/2Ko4NMW

5) Blog by CIPIT analysed impact of AI digital divide on vulnerable groups. E.g. Only 28% of Africans have access to the internet, lowering the potential for Africa to benefit from AI — more than 70% of the benefits will be captured by China and USA https://bit.ly/3izUXnS

6) Policy brief by Research ICT Africa explores how tech can be used to make welfare more accessible. For eg., RIA’s 10-country After-Access Survey found that access to social protection was only 12.8% in Africa. Partially explained by high unbanked population (55%) https://bit.ly/3sBDf8c

7) Paradigm Initiative issued a press release condemning the election-related internet shutdown in Uganda. It argued that internet shutdowns during elections prevent citizens from receiving information that help them make an informed choice https://bit.ly/3iCo1va

8) Digital Rights Lawyers Initiative (DRLI) recently completed two years of existence. In 2020 alone, it filed 35 cases in court, received 5 judgments, created a network of 250 lawyers, and published 20 pieces on digital rights.

9) Digital Rights Lawyers’ Initiative and Paradigm Initiative filed a suit against the Nigerian Government for forcing Nigerians to sign up for the National ID in two weeks, or face disconnection of their mobile phone connections. https://bit.ly/3p5qBf5

10) Strathmore University evaluated social media posts from 11 African countries and highlighted three categories of risks related to Digital ID — those in accessing ID, related to ID (e.g. privacy), and operational issues (e.g. internet or electricity). https://bit.ly/3p9HgOq

11) Paradigm Initiative wrote a blog post about how the Ethiopian government shut down internet for third time in 2020, and how it is exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Tigray. Just like free speech is protected constitutionally, blocking internet access should have more safeguards. https://bit.ly/3auhRuS

12) Africa Freedom of Information Centre wrote a report on the state of access to information and elections in Uganda amidst approaching elections, calls by the govt to shut down anti-govt YouTube channels and fears of an internet shutdown. https://bit.ly/38kkzR0

13) Paradigm Initiative helped draft civil society led Digital Rights and Freedoms bill for Tanzania and is seeking public inputs. It embraces the full mosaic of digital rights, including privacy, free speech, peaceful assembly, and right to information. http://bit.ly/38kl79w

14) Paradigm Initiative responded to the UN Human Rights High Commissioner’s draft on children’s rights in digital environment. It highlighted the need to bridge the digital divide (esp for disabilities), access to birth registration and rehabilitation for child offenders https://bit.ly/3rdWvYz

15) Research ICT Africa moderated a panel on the topic at the World Press Freedom Conference 2020 on online content regulation and finding the fine balance between freedom of expression and safe digital spaces. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJO1ceDTyFE

16) Paradigm Initiative published a toolkit for digital rights actors to protect themselves from cyber-attacks. It provides tips against phishing attacks, denial of service (DoS) and man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks, surveillance, fake domains, and cyber-stalking https://bit.ly/3hbAPI8

17) Research ICT Africa presented at the Science Forum South Africa 2020, calling for a Digital New Deal for Africa that includes a global digital tax, global governance of public goods (like the internet), and more room for African voices. https://bit.ly/38nFlir

18) Paradigm Initiative published a blog that enlisted digital rights restrictions during Tanzania’s recent elections, which included restricted access to social media and suspended SMSs https://bit.ly/38jK8lg