May 2024 Newsletter: DRF successfully completes the inaugural Digital Literacy and Citizenship Bootcamp
June 12, 2024Technology-facilitated Gendered Surveillance on the Rise in Women’s Private Spaces
July 15, 2024June 2024 Newsletter: Digital Rights Foundation raises alarm over Technology Facilitated Gendered Surveillance on the rise in Women’s Spaces
Digital Rights Foundation is extremely alarmed and concerned about the ongoing surveillance of women and girls in private spaces through unregulated CCTV cameras in women’s shelters, hostels, universities and salons, invading their right to privacy and dignity in private spaces. Women are already exceedingly subjected to gender based violence, harassment and social surveillance by society which in turn pushes them to seek refuge in gender segregated private spaces such as these.
For more details, click here.
Policy Initiatives:
International Day for Countering Hate Speech
On this International Day for Countering Hate Speech, DRF reflected on the importance of religious tolerance and the Supreme Court’s 2014 directive to combat hate speech online against religious minorities in Pakistan.
Stop Cyberbullying Day
This Stop Cyberbullying Day 2024, DRF wanted to highlight our Hamara Internet Mahfooz Internet Project. Through our digital literacy sessions in Lahore’s government schools, we educate students and teachers on digital safety, cyber harassment, and ways to combat cyberbullying.
Press Coverage:
Nighat Dad on Zara Hat Ke
DRF’s Executive Director, Nighat Dad, discussed the Punjab Defamation Bill and improper use of CCTV cameras in private areas with Dawn News’ Zara Hat Ke program.
Watch the entire panel here.
Nighat Dad on Geo News
Nighat Dad spoke about online hate speech and trolling on Geo Pakistan.
Hate speech has permeated Pakistani society to such an extent that it is now considered a structural issue. On a global scale, a great deal of political dog whistling has made hate speech more prevalent among the populace. Not only should states and leaders be held accountable for such actions, but social media platforms where these occur should also be held accountable. To combat hate and prevent it from engulfing us, we, the actual public, must lead the change through discussions, dialogues, and counternarratives.
Watch the entire discussion here.
Events:
Nighat Dad at Palestine Digital Activism Forum (PDAF) 2024
At PDAF, Meedan’s workshop featured Dr. Dima Saber and Dr. Scott A. Hale alongside Nighat Dad, founder and executive director of the Digital Rights Foundation (DRF) in Pakistan. Taysir Mathlouthi of 7amleh — The Arab Center for the Advancement of Social Media moderated the panel. The session focused on fine-tuning large language models (LLMs) for the Larger World, Meedan’s preferred term for the Global South.
PDAF 2024 was centered on the theme “Artificial Intelligence: Revolutionary Promises and Discriminatory Realities.”
Nighat Dad at the International Forum for Democratic Studies for the release of “Manufacturing Deceit: How Generative AI Supercharges Information Manipulation” by Beatriz Saab
Nighat Dad, DRF’s Executive Director, as she joins the virtual discussion on how generative AI supercharges information manipulation.
This event marks the launch of the new Forum report, “Manufacturing Deceit” by Beatriz Saab
DRF at the PI Partner Convening
DRF was represented at the Privacy International Partner Convening by Senior Program Manager Zainab Durrani from June 17th to June 20th 2024.
The Partner Convening is a meeting of organizations and individuals focused on defending the universal right to privacy through research, advocacy and providing community support.
The PI Partner Convening saw a host of privacy defenders and advocates from Columbia, Brazil, Mexico, India, Kenya, Portugal and other countries join in to discuss, strategize and congregate on key developments in the privacy sphere across the globe.
Zainab Durrani, who manages DRF’s data privacy portfolio, presented to the conference on two key themes: tech facilitated gender based violence and tech perspectives from the Global Majority, over the span of the 3-day event.
Digital Literacy and Citizenship Bootcamp at the Karakoram International University
The DRF team, led by Senior Program Manager Zainab Durrani conducted its second Digital Literacy and Citizenship Bootcamp at the Karakoram International University (KIU)in Gilgit.
The Bootcamp project is supported by the U.S Embassy Islamabad and the opening ceremony for this intensive program was held at KIU on June 1st, 2024.
The keynote speaker was Ms. Alejandra Baez of the U.S Embassy Islamabad and Dr. Ataullah Shah, Vice Chancellor of KIU delivered the welcome note at the event.
The Digital Literacy Bootcamp is a 10-day capacity building program designed to inculcate key concepts such as legal knowledge, social science research, digital safety, digital etiquettes, AI and LLMs and the impact of the disinformation ecosystem, in the participants.
This Bootcamp was attended by 61 students from various departments at KIU and carried out successfully by various subject matter experts from DRF.
DRF accompanied the NCHR Team to the government Dar ul Amaan Rawalpindi
DRF’s representative, Irum Shujah, joined National Commission of Human Rights’ (NCHR) team on a visit to Dar ul Amaan, Rawalpindi to inspect surveillance cameras within the premises and ensure the privacy and security of residents. The visit was prompted by social media concerns about women’s privacy in such facilities. The relevant teams are reviewing their findings and will share recommendations with stakeholders to safeguard residents’ rights.
Online Safety Workshop in Hunza
The DRF team conducted an Online Safety Workshop in collaboration with IEI Pakistan in Hunza and it was truly enlightening. Empowering girls and women to navigate the digital world safely and confidently is at the heart of our mission for #HamaraInternetMahfoozInternet. Despite the diverse age groups and skill levels, more than 50 participants engaged in crucial discussions on consent, digital safety, and the importance of open communication between parents and children.
Anti-Cyberbullying and Digital Awareness session
DRF held a session with 55 students of O-Level and A-Level at Fatima Memorial’s NUR Foundation’s internship program in Lahore. They were informed how to counter cyberbullying, staying safe in online spaces and legal avenues to adopt incase of harassment or scams. They were also given helpline brochures.
A session with Suno FM Radio 89.4-96 ( Aao Bat Krain )
Anmol Sajjad delivered a virtual session on online harassment on 25 June 2024, with Suno FM Radio 89.4-96 with Bushra Iqbal. The session focused on online harassment in the digital era. This also includes the discussion of consequences for minors and vulnerable communities and suggested solutions for mitigating these risks. The prevention of online harassment and digital detox were also discussed during the session.
Watch the entire interaction here.
MoITT Consultation on May 2023 draft of Pakistan’s Personal Data Protection Bill
Irum Shujah, representing DRF, attended an in-person consultation on the May 2023 draft of Pakistan’s Personal Data Protection Bill organized by the Ministry of Information and Technology (MoITT) in Islamabad on 26 June 2024. Nighat Dad and other senior management members participated remotely and contributed insightful input. Throughout the consultation, both Nighat Dad and Irum Shujah addressed critical issues pertaining to privacy and other key aspects of the draft legislation. Nighat Dad specifically highlighted how certain law provisions infringe upon privacy concerns and create difficulties for stakeholders, emphasizing the need for these issues to be addressed. DRF also submitted comprehensive written recommendations aimed at further refining the bill.
Meta’s Session on Data Privacy in the Age of AI
DRF legal team recently attended an online session organized by Meta, titled “Data Privacy in the Age of AI” held on 25 June 2024. The session delved into the intricacies of the Personal Data Protection Bill, discussing its critical role in safeguarding privacy. Additionally, recommendations for Pakistan’s draft on personal data protection were also discussed during the session. Throughout the session, key topics covered included the definition of privacy, fundamental principles of data protection, and the rights and safeguards for managing personal data in the era of artificial intelligence.
DRF Updates:
Cyber Harassment Helpline
The Cyber Harassment Helpline received 266 complaints in total in June 2024, with 155 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.
Cyber Harassment Helpline Supporting Journalists
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.
