APC

In Indonesia, the PeduliLindungi app has become synonymous with the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet it poses an unprecedented threat while leaving citizens with little recourse to protect their data. This article is part of the "Pandemic of Control" series by EngageMedia and CommonEdge.

EngageMedia and CommonEdge invited writers, researchers and changemakers to respond to the growing digital authoritarianism – accelerated by COVID-19 – in the Asia-Pacific. The result is a 10-part series featuring insights from Indonesia, Vietnam, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Australia.

This article by APC founder Carlos Afonso, now the director of Brazilian APC member Nupef, is both a tribute to recently deceased Brazilian internet pioneer Tadao Takahashi and a fascinating glimpse into some key chapters in the early history (and prehistory) of APC.

Internet user growth is slowing and varied attempts to address the problem of access – through traditional telecom models, private sector initiatives, state-led measures, philanthropy – have met with limited success. We must rethink how networks are built, owned, operated and utilised, and empowering local communities is key to this.

APC's statement at the OEWG dedicated stakeholder session also notes that it is encouraging to see the inclusion of language connected with narrowing the digital divide and a growing number of states calling for a gender-sensitive approach to international cybersecurity.

Welcome to the 49th monthly round-up of developments impacting your local access networks and community-based initiatives. In this edition, find out more about women's engagement in community networks in Africa and much more.

Discover what the story of 28-year-old Shibani tells us about the women weaving connections and finding self-expression through community radio stations in India.

APC is attending the third substantive session of the UN Open-ended Working Group on developments in the field of information and telecommunications in the context of international security 2021-2025 (OEWG II), taking place this week, from 25 to 29 July, in-person in New York.

In this submission to the third substantive session of the UN Open-Ended Working Group on the security of, and in the use of, information and communications technologies (OEWG), APC addresses some of the recommended next steps outlined in the draft progress report.

These APC priorities were reiterated in a statement delivered at the informal dialogue with the Chair of the UN Open-ended Working Group on developments in the field of information and telecommunications in the context of international security (OEWG) 2021-2025.

APC is looking for a Women’s Rights Policy Advocacy Coordinator to contribute towards ensuring that policy discussions and processes related to digital rights integrate the perspectives of women and people of diverse genders and sexualities. The deadline for applications is 15 August.

Two years ago, the assumption was that the pandemic and ensuing lockdowns would have lasting impacts on digitalisation – that they would accelerate the process by which offline turned to online, increase its pace and shift the way we do things towards digital alternatives. But has this happened as much as was expected?

A new research project explores how digital rights and climate and environmental justice intersect. It presents a landscape analysis and seven issue briefs, including four briefs from the APC network that point to collaboration between digital rights organisations and environmental justice actors, and areas of immediate impact and intervention for donors.

 APC and other civil society organisations from around the world share reflections on the key outcomes of the 50th session of the UN Human Rights Council, as well as the missed opportunities to address key issues and situations.

APC considers the Human Rights Council (HRC) as a key mechanism for advancing human rights online. This overview includes some highlights of key outcomes and of APC’s engagement at the recently concluded 50th session of the HRC.

Risper Akinyi from the Tunapanda Institute in Kenya will be weaving connections among women engaged with community networks from different countries in the region during this year's Africa Internet Governance Forum, taking place 19-21 July in Lilongwe, Malawi.

These issue briefs highlight potential priority areas for funding that would bring the work of digital rights organisations and environmental justice actors closer together, based on the need for the two groups to work more collaboratively given the global environmental and climate emergency.

This joint civil society submission focuses particularly on digital rights including freedom of expression, the protection of human rights defenders (HRDs), including women human rights defenders, violence against women and misinformation.

APC and other members of the Hold the Line Coalition condemn the Philippine Court of Appeals decision to uphold the conviction of Nobel Laureate Maria Ressa and former Rappler researcher Rey Santos Jr. on trumped-up charges of cyber libel.

During the high-level discussion on countering the negative impact of disinformation on the enjoyment of human rights, APC called for efforts to collect and study community-based responses to disinformation and improve the exercise of communication rights and tools by marginalised communities.