DRF’s team–Hyra Basit (Senior Program Manager), Abdullah Tariq (Research Associate) and Noman Fareed (Digital Security Trainer)–attended this year’s Digital Rights in the Asia-Pacific (DRAPAC) and Asia Pacific Regional Internet Governance Forum (APrIGF) in Taiwan from 18-23 August. At a DRAPAC session titled “Gendered disinformation: Deepening perspectives and designing responses”, DRF launched its research in collaboration with Meedan, Chambal Media, and The Quint. This session offered varying perspectives on gendered disinformation through the unique lens of different regions in South Asia, and presented experiences through specific case studies.

Policy Initiatives:

Nighat Dad’s statement on National Minorities’ Day

To commemorate National Minorities Day on 11 August, DRF Executive Director Nighat Dad invited everyone to participate in the Aqliyati Huqooq March that took place that day at Frere Hall in Karachi. She said that this march is key for upholding the protection of minorities and highlighting what challenges they face on a day-to-day basis. This march is also against those forces that try to harm minorities and hence disrespect Pakistan’s mandate to protect minorities. Finally, she said that this march also speaks directly to all of us since the protection of minorities is our collective responsibility. Minorities’ rights are human rights.

 

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Personal Data Protection Social Media Campaign

DRF’s social media campaign for highlighting #PrivacyIsARight continued into August with the following key infographics:

• Why data protection is so important in today's digital landscape
• How violence against gender minorities and privacy concerns clash with Tech-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TF-GBV)
• Know your rights as data subjects under the Personal Data Protection Bill 2023

Press Coverage:

DRF Executive Director Nighat Dad spoke to Geo News about Internet and social media disruption in Pakistan. She highlighted the ambiguity surrounding these disruptions which have created an environment rife for misinformation, fake news and speculations. She also pointed to the impact on the digital gig economy and the impact on people’s right to livelihoods, especially in today’s crippling economy. She advocated for more transparency and clarity at a national level, and an open conversation on the national security concerns continuously cited as a reason for these disruptions.

DRF was also cited in the press in the following press coverage:

Media outlet	Date	Title	Link
The News	10 August, 2024	Only 10pc of digital users are aware of privacy concerns: experts	https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1218294-only-10pc-of-digital-users-are-aware-of-privacy-concerns-experts
Pakistan Today	10 August, 2024	Internet services across Pakistan face disruption for second consecutive day, no one knows why	https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2024/08/10/internet-services-across-pakistan-face-disruption-for-second-consecutive-day-no-one-knows-why/
Geo News	15 August, 2024	Social media disruption across Pakistan - Slow internet - No Internet - Geo Pakistan - Geo News	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94Grcyj0f9o
Global Village Space	15 August, 2024	Internet Slowdown Caused by Increased Monitoring of Citizens	https://www.globalvillagespace.com/internet-slowdown-caused-by-increased-monitoring-of-citizens/
Associated Press of Pakistan	19 August 2024	Social media — a boon or bane for our social fabric	https://www.app.com.pk/features/social-media-a-boon-or-bane-for-our-social-fabric-2/
The News	19 August 2024	Social media — a boon or bane for our social fabric	https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1221442-social-media-a-boon-or-bane-for-our-social-fabric
UN Women	27 August 2024	Call for Applications for Sponsorship to Participate in the Beijing+30 Civil Society Forum for Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok, November 2024	https://asiapacific.unwomen.org/en/stories/announcement/2024/08/CFA-sponsorship-to-participate-in-the-beijing30-civil-society-forum

Events:

DRF attended HRCP’s meeting on the impact of the Punjab Defamation Act 2024

 

On 16 August, DRF participated in a mobilization meeting on the Punjab Defamation Act organized by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) in Lahore. The meeting brought together policy experts, lawyers, human rights activists, journalists and civil society members to discuss the potential misuse of the new law. Law and policy expert Muhammad Aftab Alam presented an overview of the Act, critiquing the drastic changes to definitions of key terms such as “broadcasting” and “newspaper”. He also condemned the creation of a parallel judicial system, as well as the unreasonable standard of burden of proof and financial challenges placed on defendants. Other stakeholders added that the Act further narrows civic spaces and threatens fundamental protections such as the right to information, freedom of speech, etc. Participants recommended repealing the Act and added that fundamental rights should be recognized and respected by the state.

DRF at LUMS Learning Institute’s Researcher’s Toolbox workshop

DRF attended the 'Researcher's Toolbox' workshop at the LUMS Learning Institute last week. This 2-day intensive program provided DRF’s team with extensive research methodologies, specialized sessions, and sophisticated data analysis techniques, significantly broadening our research expertise and methodological proficiency.

‘Fortifying the Truth in the Age of Synthetic Media workshop‘ by WITNESS

DRF was invited to attend a workshop by WITNESS from 31 July to 1 August. This workshop highlighted how synthetic media (e.g., deepfakes) and media manipulation technologies can impact human rights work in digital spaces, and their after-effects in on-ground realities.

Consultations on Data Localisation

On 1 August, DRF attended a consultation on data localisation in Islamabad which was jointly organized by Asia Internet Coalition (AIC) and the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecom. Chaired by IT Minister Shaza Fatima, representatives from the government, industry and civil society discussed how to approach the issue of data localisation with minimal impact on Pakistan’s thriving digital economy. AIC also shared their findings from a report that calculated economic costs of data localisation in Pakistan.

DRF’s Cyber Harassment Helpline

Our Cyber Harassment Helpline received 246 complaints in total in August 2024, with  138 complaints submitted by women and transgender individuals. If you’re encountering a problem online, you can reach out to this helpline at 0800-39393, email us at [email protected] or reach out to us on our social media accounts. We’re available for assistance from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Sunday.

DRF Resources

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.

www.report.iwf.org.uk/pk

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.

https://stopncii.org/