DIGITAL RIGHTS FOUNDATION PUBLIC COMMENT ON OVERSIGHT BOARD CASES 2024-007-IG-UA, 2024-008-FB-UA (EXPLICIT AI IMAGES OF FEMALE PUBLIC FIGURES)
August 6, 2024CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
September 4, 2024
The International Conference on Addressing TFVAW was held in Seoul, Republic of South Korea from 1-2 July, to foster dialogue on the challenges and best practices in implementing policy measures to address TFVAW. The conference brought together 150 stakeholders, including experts dedicated to TFVAW measurement, policy, and prevention, and specifically focused on the measurement, prevalence, victim support, and regulatory frameworks and policies related to TFVAW. To that end, DRF presented its Cyber Harassment Helpline project, and how it operates, advocates for survivors, and collects and analyzes data for research.
Policy Initiatives:
More than 60 Journalists and Media Practitioners Across Pakistan Condemn the Sexist and Derogatory Statements Made by Dr. Omer Adil Against Women in Media
Read the entire statement here.
Personal Data Protection Social Media Awareness Campaign
#PrivacyIsARight campaign – DRF launched a social media awareness campaign that delved into the different aspects of the landscape of privacy in Pakistan and personal data protection bill.
These included but were not limited to: Do You Know Your Data and Privacy Rights? Exploring the crucial aspects of the Personal Data Protection Bill 2023, Understanding Consent in Data Protection, and Understanding Data Controllers and Data Processors.
Press Coverage:
Nighat Dad in “Haibatnaak Surat-e-Haal” by SOC films
“Haibatnaak Surat-e-Haal” by SOC films delves into the stark reality of cyber harassment victims in Pakistan. Naila Rind’s tragic story underscores the intense societal pressure and victim-blaming that silences women, sometimes leading to heartbreaking outcomes. Featuring insights from our founder, Nighat Dad, this documentary sheds light on these critical issues.
Our Cyber Harassment Helpline stats, quoted here, reveal a troubling trend: women face relentless online abuse with few avenues for justice due to societal mistrust and legal shortcomings.
Watch the entire documentary here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlnMnNW7O90
DRF in Press:
Events:
Anti-Cyberbullying and Digital Awareness session
On Tuesday, 23 July 2024, the DRF Legal and Digital Security team conducted an informative session on “Anti-Cyberbullying & Digital Awareness” with 50 O-Level and A-Level students at Fatima Memorial’s NUR Foundation in Lahore. This engaging session empowered students with strategies to counter cyberbullying and stay safe in online spaces. The session also delved into legal avenues for addressing harassment and scams.
Instagram Live – Pakistan’s Privacy Landscape: Data Protection and Article 14
DRF held an Instagram Live about Pakistan’s Privacy Landscape: Data Protection and Article 14 with digital safety experts such as Mubariz Khan – Founding Partner of Carbon Law, Farieha Aziz – Co-founder of Bolo Bhi, and Irum Shujah – Advocate High Courts.
They dove into crucial topics, moderated by Zainab Durrani – Senior Program Manager at DRF, such as: Constitutional privacy & dignity in Pakistan, Recent legal developments affecting privacy, Data protection in the digital age, Emerging online privacy threats, especially with GenAI, and Best practices for safeguarding your data.
Meta Community Summit 2024
DRF team recently attended an in-person session in Islamabad organized by meta titled as “Meta Community Summit 2024” on 2nd July 2024. The morning session consisted of various briefings on meta community standards, deep diving into their safety policies, understanding the functioning of National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, content moderation and best practices to grow your reach. The afternoon session was a closed door trusted partner session focusing on trusted partner impact, introduction of changes and deep diving into content related issues and feedback from trusted partners.
Online Safety and Cyber Harassment Session
DRF’s Digital Security Trainer and Legal Associate delivered a session on “Online Safety and Cyber Harassment” at the Learning Hub College Gujranwala on 04 July 2024. The session was delivered to over 500 students to raise awareness about digital safety to combat online abuse and to provide an overview of laws related to cyber harassment and online violence.
Meta’s Session on Data Privacy in the Age of AI: Managing Data Across Borders
DRF legal team recently attended an online session organized by Meta, titled “Data Privacy in the Age of AI: Managing Data Across Borders” held on 26 July 2024. The session covered the concepts of cross-border data flow and data localization, focusing on balancing the free flow of data with ensuring its security. Additionally, the role of AI in handling personal data was discussed, highlighting the opportunities and challenges this technology presents. Throughout the session, key topics covered included data protection and privacy in the age of AI.
LEAD Impact Lab at Lincoln Corner NUST
DRF’s legal team recently conducted a comprehensive training session at the LEAD Impact Lab at Lincoln Corner NUST, focusing on cyber crimes, their prevention, and response strategies. The three-day summer tech camp covered essential topics, including:
- Basics of cyber crimes
- PECA law
- Cyber bullying and stalking
The session concluded with a thought-provoking Q&A session, providing attendees with a platform to engage in meaningful discussions and clarify their queries. We are proud to have played a pivotal role in empowering individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the digital landscape responsibly.
TikTok for Non-Profits
On 30th July 2024, DRF’s Communications Team attended a training session focused on ‘how to create content’ and ‘best practices for nonprofits on TikTok’. It was an hour long webinar, with support from TikTok’s Content Partnership team.
Punjab Protection of Women Against Violence Act 2016 consultative workshop
On July 27, 2024, our legal team actively participated in a consultative workshop focused on the Punjab Protection of Women Against Violence Act 2016. The event brought together a panel of esteemed lawyers, women protection officers, AGHS representatives, and other key stakeholders to discuss the law’s provisions and address challenges faced by lawyers when obtaining court orders.
The workshop provided a valuable platform for in-depth discussions on the upcoming rules and regulations, allowing our team to gather insights from attendees and contribute to the development of more practical and effective implementation of the law. Our participation demonstrates DRF’s commitment to promoting women’s rights and safety, and we look forward to continuing our efforts in this crucial area.
DRF took part in PILDAT’s session on creating district profiles
Digital Rights Foundation attended a session on assessing the informational needs of Civil Society Organizations and citizens, gauging what tools they need to hold governments accountable. The session aimed at creating the content and format of the proposed 24 District Profiles and 4 Citizens Guides on local governments which would enable CSOs and citizens to effectively monitor governmental and political processes. DRF suggested digitizing the citizen guides and incorporating gender-specific data, while keeping the privacy of citizens intact. The participating CSOs were also informed about the Cyber Harassment Helpline, to help raise awareness in their respective cities.
DRF Updates:
Cyber Harassment Helpline
The Cyber Harassment Helpline received 359 complaints in total in July 2024, with 209 complaints by women. If you’re encountering a problem online, you can reach out to our helpline at 0800-39393, email us at helpdesk@digitalrightsfoundation.pk or reach out to us on our social media accounts. We’re available for assistance from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Sunday.
IWF Portal
DRF in collaboration with Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) and the Global Fund to End Violence Against Children launched a portal to combat children’s online safety in Pakistan. The new portal allows internet users in Pakistan to anonymously report child sexual abuse material in three different languages- English, Urdu, and Pashto.
StopNCII.org
Meta along with Revenge Porn Helpline (RPH) has launched a portal to support victims of Non-Consensual Intimate Image Abuse (NCII). NCII is a free portal for reporting cases of sensitive or sexual content existing online. Once you report a case, the necessary steps will be taken to block the images from the platform.
