DRF Executive Director Nighat Dad, Programs Lead Irum Shujah, Research Lead Talal Raza, Cyber Harassment Helpline Lead Hyra Basit and Digital Security Lead Danish Umar attended this year’s RightsCon, a summit that explores the intersections of human rights and technology, at Taipei. With workshops on digital safety and panel discussions on gendered disinformation, DRF collaborated with civil society organizations around the world, particularly from the Majority World/Global South, to raise our voices for tech justice. DRF also set up a booth to showcase our work, such as major achievements from our helpline. Watch our highlights reels of the event here.

Regional Engagements & Initiatives:

Launch of Digital Accountability Collective South Asia (DACSA)

The Digital Accountability Collective South Asia (DACSA), a coalition between DRF in Pakistan, Digitally Right in Bangladesh, and Hashtag Generation in Sri Lanka, was launched to address pressing concerns regarding platform governance, accountability, and the broader impact of existing and emerging technologies in South Asia. DACSA's collective mission centers on ensuring that tech platforms operate in a manner that is transparent, equitable, and safeguards the rights of all users, particularly those from marginalized communities. It encourages collaboration among South Asian groups working on digital rights in order to build a regional movement to influence platforms and state policies which are inconsistent with the international human rights framework. DACSA published a statement to elaborate on the need and intention behind joining forces for a unified South Asian voice, and then held a successful launch event at RightsCon. Keep an eye out for DACSA’s work and collaborations going forward!

Nighat Dad at AI Action Summit

Nighat Dad participated in a roundtable titled ‘Cybersecurity, privacy, information integrity: leveraging AI to protect democracies’ at this year’s AI Action Summit in Paris. The panelists debated the impact that AI could have on democracy. Given her experience on the UN Secretary General’s High-Level Advisory Board on AI Governance, Nighat Dad emphasized that inclusivity is essential in AI governance, stating “we just cannot take this progress forward when we are not including diverse voices.”

 

 

Our Latest Research & Advocacy:

Bytes Behind Bars

DRF has released its latest report, Bytes Behind Bars: Decoding Pakistan's digital expression legislation, which examines the impact of Pakistani laws–such as the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA)–on journalistic freedom of expression. While these laws are ostensibly designed to protect digital freedoms, the report highlights how they serve to curtail press freedom in practice.

 

 

Social Media Campaign for National Women’s Day

In solidarity with women's rights collectives Aurat March Lahore and Women's Action Forum Lahore, DRF commemorated National Women's Day by revisiting our 2021 Digital 50.50 issue, with stories highlighting women's contributions in journalism, art, labour and student politics.

 

 

 

 

Press Coverage:

NWJDR Condemns Hate Campaign Against Munizae Jahangir

The NWJDR condemned the vile and orchestrated campaign of threats and targeted disinformation against senior journalist and anchor Munizae Jahangir by extremist elements. Read the statement here.

 

 

Fact-check on Surveillance Claims

Nighat Dad pointed out to Geo Fact Check that WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption prevents surveillance, leading the fact checker to conclude that rumours about state authorities reading WhatsApp communications are false.

 

Nighat Dad Criticizes PECA Amendments

Nighat Dad weighed in with Context News about the recently passed PECA Amendment 2025 Act, stating that “every one of us will be affected, including the unsuspecting ‘forwarders’ of content.”

DRF was also mentioned in the following press coverage:

Media Outlet	Date	Title
The News	2 February 2025	Muzzling expression
Samaa	3 February 2025	شہریوں کے محفوظ ڈیجیٹل مستقبل کےلیے جامع قانون سازی انتہائی ضروری قرار
Express Tribune	8 February 2025	Back to the cave: Where does PECA take us?
OONI	6 February 2025	Year in Review: OONI in 2024
France 24	11 February 2025	Ally or threat? Paris summit weighs AI's impact on democracy
Kera News	18 February 2025	Journalists in Pakistan raise concerns over change to law they say will stifle speech
KLCC	18 February 2025	Journalists in Pakistan raise concerns over change to law they say will stifle speech
Dawn	26 February 2025	Digital rights report exposes Peca threats to press freedom
Arab News	26 February 2025	Pakistan’s digital rights group calls for independent body to monitor Internet censorship decision
Express Tribune	27 February 2025	Viral message about WhatsApp surveillance debunked

National Engagements:

Roundtable with NCHR on PECA Amendments 2025

DRF in collaboration with the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) organized a roundtable on the recent amendments to the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). Senior journalists shared their views on the amendments and their impact on freedom of expression.

 

Nighat Dad at the Lahore School of Law

DRF Executive Director Nighat Dad spoke at the Lahore School of Law’s Law and Policy Research Centre, addressing law students. She shed light on why digital rights are crucial in the modern digital ecosystem, especially considering legal and regulatory challenges. She also highlighted how PECA has shaped Pakistan's digital rights landscape.

Digital Safety and Wellbeing Sessions in Beaconhouse Newlands School

DRF conducted two sessions at BeaconHouse Newlands School—one with over 200 students aged 11 to 15, and another with 50 students aged 15 to 18. The sessions focused on promoting responsible online behavior, addressing concerning trends such as the creation of confession pages and meme-based content targeting peers, instances of students attempting to hack or access each other's accounts, and the misuse of internet access. Students’ voices demanding safer online spaces were also amplified for DRF’s online campaign on #SaferInternetDay.

 

Policy Roundtable on Workplace Harassment Act

DRF’s legal team participated in the Youth’s General Assembly Policy Roundtable on the Workplace Harassment Act, held on 22 February in collaboration with FOSPAH. The roundtable gathered legal experts, social entrepreneurs, and civil society organizations for an engaging discussion on strengthening enforcement and compliance to ensure safer workplaces for all.

Digital Literacy and Citizenship Bootcamp at University of Sindh, Jamshoro

DRF conducted its 6th Digital Literacy and Citizenship Bootcamp for 54 students at the University of Sindh, Jamshoro, with the support of the U.S. Embassy, Islamabad. The students learnt about cyber harassment, online safety safety, disinformation and misinformation in today’s digital ecosystem, as well as the emergence of AI.

Digital Skills Training Workshop in Karachi

DRF recently conducted a training workshop in Karachi as part of its ongoing efforts to empower citizens from at-risk communities and occupations. The session focused on essential digital safety practices, introducing participants to open-source tools for enhanced online security. DRF’s legal team also provided guidance on navigating legal challenges and reporting online hateful content in Pakistan.

Tech trends and tips:

Update: DRF has joined Bluesky

After searching for fresh spaces to engage online, particularly more inclusive spaces with robust policies against harmful content, DRF decided to officially join Bluesky.

 

Follow us there at bsky.app/profile/digitalrightspk.bsky.social

 

New tech development: Latest AI Model Grok 3

xAI, an artificial intelligence startup led by Elon Musk, launched Grok 3, their newest AI model. Grok 3 rivals top AI models such as OpenAI's o1 and DeepSeek's R1, solidifying xAI's position as a strong contender in the competitive AI landscape.

The model outperforms industry foundation models across math, science, and coding criteria, matching—and at times surpassing—their advanced reasoning and search capabilities. Grok 3 offers three advanced modes: Think, which breaks down problems into smaller steps using a lightweight model for simple queries; Big Brain, which uses the full model for more complex problem-solving and scientific tasks; and DeepSearch, which browses the internet in real-time to verify sources, generate fresh insights, and serve as a foundation for future AI agents. Grok 3 now powers xAI’s Grok chatbot.

Tip of the month: Boost Privacy Online

There are several social media platforms, like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, and LinkedIn, that offer options for limiting the visibility of one’s online so that users can address their privacy concerns, especially users from at-risk communities or with sensitive professions, such as trans individuals, religious minorities and human rights defenders.

Some privacy features that apply to all these social media platforms are:

• Two-factor authentication: Most platforms offer two-factor authentication with various options like the Google Authentication app, mobile number verification, recovery codes and yubi keys.
• Check your last login since it keeps users updated about the devices and places from where their account was last logged in.
• Get alerts: Enabling this option alerts users in case an account is accessed from any unauthorized device.
• Recovery methods: This helps users to recover their accounts in case it gets hacked, using recovery alternative emails or a phone number linked to the account.

DRF Resources:

Cyber Harassment Helpline:

The Cyber Harassment Helpline received 161 complaints in February 2025, of which 88% were related to cyber harassment.

The Helpline also raised awareness about non-consensual use of images (or NCUI) online.

If you’re encountering a problem online, you can reach out to our 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.

 

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/

On January 29th, DRF held its annual National Privacy Conference. This year, the conference revolved around the theme of data protection to mark Data Protection Day. Panels discussed the state of voter data in the electoral process, the troubling gaps in regards to the safeguarding of said data, as well as the state of data protection legislation. They emphasized the dire need for holistic and proactive legislation, and how its absence puts the sensitive data of citizens at grave risk, at a time when societies are more data-driven than ever. Read our press release on the event here in English and Urdu.

Policy Initiatives:

Voter Data Privacy

The DRF Research team launched “Voter Data Privacy in Pakistan: Privacy Risks, Data Protection, and Legislative Shortcomings during Data-Driven Elections” during its National Privacy Conference held on January 29th. The report examines how voter data was handled or exploited by political parties, and how government agencies responsible for said data should operate, versus the reality experienced by voters. Access the report here.

 

 

Digital Nation Pakistan Bill (2024) Analysis and Recommendations

The DRF Research team alongside the Legal team shared a detailed analysis of the Digital Nation Pakistan Bill (2024) (now the DNP Act) with the IT Minister, Shaza Khawaja. This included concerns and recommendations grounded in a comprehensive review of digital ID systems in global jurisdictions, best practices for data privacy and protection, and commentary from civil society organisations.

Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act (2025) Amendments Analysis

The DRF Research and Legal teams prepared a legal analysis of the recent controversial PECA Amendments. A summarised form of this and the Digital Nation Pakistan Bill (2024) analysis were shared with Senator Palwasha Khan as well. Both analyses are available on our website.

Digital Rights Tracker updates

The Digital Rights Tracker is a weekly updated repository that tracks cyber policy and digital rights issues pertaining to Pakistan. This month’s updates included the passage of the PECA Amendments Act 2025 and the Digital Nation Pakistan Act 2025, with the former the subject of much controversy, owing to the government not taking onboard concerns from rights organisations, journalists and other vital stakeholders.

TFGBV Increased Against Trans and Khwajasira Individuals

DRF team member Hyra Basit told Amnesty International South Asia how technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) has increased against trans and khawajasira individuals. See post here.

Press Coverage:

Awareness about PECA Amendments Act

DRF Executive Director Nighat Dad expressed her concern and criticism over the implications of the PECA amendments, passed in January. She wrote two op-eds in Geo News and The News about the potential impact these amendments have on free speech rights, and also did a detailed explainer with Geo News.

DRF, TLHC sign MoU to promote digital literacy

DRF and The Learning Hub College, Gujranwala (TLHC), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaboratively promote digital rights and raise online safety awareness among students at TLHC and other institutions within its chain and The Jadeed Dastgir Ideal Schools.

 

Read the press release issued here.

 

 

NWJDR condemned harassment campaign against Asma Shirazi

On 10 January, the Network of Women Journalists for Digital Rights (NWJDR) released a statement condemning the most recent instance of the ongoing harassment and gendered disinformation campaign against female journalist Asma Shirazi at the hands of prominent political party supporters, and political commentators and vloggers. Read the entire statement here.

NWJDR condemned harassment campaign against Asma Shirazi

On 10 January, the Network of Women Journalists for Digital Rights (NWJDR) released a statement condemning the most recent instance of the ongoing harassment and gendered disinformation campaign against female journalist Asma Shirazi at the hands of prominent political party supporters, and political commentators and vloggers. Read the entire statement here.

Shanakht ka Muqadma (The Facets of Hate Speech) by SOC Films

SOC Films’ new episode in its Hate Speech docuseries was released featuring DRF Executive Director Nighat Dad, trans rights activists and other activists. The episode explored the targeted disinformation campaign against the 2018 Transgender (Protection of Rights) Act in Pakistan, leading to increased hate and violence against the community.

DRF was also mentioned in the following press coverage: 

Media Outlet	Date	Title
GNN	1 January 2025	DRF Executive Director Nighat Dad appeared on GNN
IFEX	6 January 2025	Asia-Pacific: Impunity, TV closures, and “entrenching state control over the internet”
Aaj News	9 January 2025	Slow internet may cause IT companies to relocate - Aaj News
Aaj News	9 January 2025	Internet slowdown, disruptions deal heavy blow to Pakistan’s IT industry
The Nation	10 January 2025	Afkar-e-Taza ThinkFest to open with focus on past and present dialogue
The News	12 January 2025	Town Talk
Dawn	12 January 2025	‘Enough is enough’: Journalist Asma Shirazi condemns harassment campaign against her
Radio France Internationale (RFI)	12 January 2025	Education activist Malala returns to a region in crisis
Daily Times	12 January 2025	Afkar-e-Taaza ThinkFest 8th Edition (Day 2 Final)
WataugaDemocrat.com	12 January 2025	Education activist Malala returns to a region in crisis
Express Tribune	13 January 2025	Inclusive AI policies urged
The News	13 January 2025	ThinkFest 2025 concludes: Canadian diplomat stresses safe space for journalists
The Nation	13 January 2025	‘Media literacy vital to fight back disinformation’
Phone World	17 January 2025	Virtual Shadows – How Gender Based Violence is Thriving Online in Pakistan?
T-Magazine	19 January 2025	Digital disconnect: the cost of Internet disruptions
Geo News	22 January 2025	ڈونلڈ ٹرمپ کے آنے سے ڈیجیٹل دنیا میں کیا تبدیلیاں متوقع ہیں؟
The Nation	22 January 2025	DRF, TLHC join forces to promote digital literacy and online safety for students
The News	23 January 2025	Peca amendments make bad law worse, say digital rights activists
Dawn	23 January 2025	NA passes controversial Peca amendment bill amid walkout by PTI, journalists
24NewsHD	23 January 2025	Govt Passed Controversial PECA Bill - Political Temperatures Spike - Goonj - 24 News HD
WeNews English	23 January 2025	Pakistan’s National Assembly Passes Cybercrime and Digital Identity Bills
Tribal News Network	26 January 2025	Bridging the Digital Divide: Women’s Struggles and Triumphs in Online Spaces
Geo News	28 January 2025	Peca's protection plan: Speak at your own risk
Dawn	28 January 2025	NewsEye Segment
Dawn	28 January 2025	Flaws In The PICA Act Amendment Bill: Nighat Dad’s In-Depth Analysis | Dawn News
Digital Journal	28 January 2025	Pakistan outlaws disinformation with 3-year jail term
Dawn	29 January 2025	President Zardari assents to Peca amendment law despite journalists’ calls to desist
The Nation	29 January 2025	National Privacy Conference 2025 highlights urgent need for stronger data protection laws in Pakistan
Geo News	29 January 2025	Chinese AI App DeepSeek Gaining Popularity Across Europe & the US | A New Tech Revolution
Geo News	29 January 2025	What is PECA Act 2025? - Nighat Dad Told Inside Story - Geo News
Capital TV	29 January 2025	Strict Social Media Control! | New Law Changes Everything – Alarm Bells Ringing | Nighat Dad
City 42	29 January 2025	ڈیجیٹل رائٹس فاؤنڈیشن کے زیر اہتمام نیشنل پرائیویسی کانفرنس کا اہتمام
The Nation	29 January 2025	National Privacy Conference 2025 highlights urgent need for stronger data protection laws in Pakistan
Lub Azad	29 January 2025	شہریوں کے لئےمحفوظ ڈیجیٹل مستقبل کے لئے جامع قانون سازی کی ضرورت
Independent Urdu	29 January 2025	نیا قانون پیکا ترمیمی ایکٹ متنازع کیوں ہے؟
Samaa	30 January 2025	Privacy conference discusses urgent need for data protection laws
Dawn	30 January 2025	Global data protection day marked
Samaa	30 January 2025	Privacy conference discusses urgent need for data protection laws

Events:

Nighat Dad at Thinkfest Pakistan

DRF has extensively researched harmful online content throughout 2024, be it gendered disinformation or platform accountability during Pakistan's elections.

With the recent spike in fake news, online hate speech and AI deepfakes, it's more important now than ever to learn how to navigate digital spaces. DRF Executive Director Nighat Dad joined this year’s Thinkfest (11-12 January) on two panels: “AI, Fake News, and the Fight for Digital Rights”, as well as “Advancing Media Literacy & Rights Online-Offline”.

 

 

 

High-Level Dialogue on Building Digital Safety | UNDP

On January 16, 2025, Nighat Dad spoke on the panel Platform Accountability: Social Media Safety Protocols and Civil Society Perspectives on TFGBV at a high-level dialogue in Islamabad. The event convened stakeholders to address TFGBV, emphasizing a national framework for prevention, prosecution, and protection against digital abuse.

AI Insights Workshop: Mastering reporting on new technologies

DRF conducted a one-day workshop with journalists and media practitioners on understanding and reporting on AI and emerging technologies on 3rd January in Islamabad. The event involved discussions on the societal impact of GenAI, ethical concerns, evolving trends, as well as topics around digital security and DRF’s Cyber Harassment Helpline.

Asian Development Bank Digital Citizen Workshop

DRF participated in the Asian Development Bank’s Digital Citizen Workshop on 30th January in Islamabad. The collaborative workshop brought together representatives from various organizations to discuss what a digital citizen should look like in Pakistan and how it can be made possible under the state’s Digital Nation Pakistan Bill 2025.

Other events:

• DRF conducted a one-day training on TFGBV for Bangladeshi early-career journalists, activists, researchers, and lawyers, participating in a fellowship hosted by Bangladeshi digital rights organization, Digitally Right, on 15th January in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
• From 22-25 January, DRF conducted a dynamic series of training sessions, bringing together journalists, civil society representatives, religious and gender minorities, and lawyers. Focused on digital safety and legal recourse, these sessions aimed to equip stakeholders with the knowledge and tools to navigate Pakistan’s evolving digital landscape securely and effectively.
• DRF’s legal associate attended a dissemination session on "Doing Digital for Development: Digitalizing Law, Democratizing Justice" organized by CODE Pakistan and UNDP in Lahore on 23rd January. This event highlighted the findings of UNDP’s recently launched National Human Development Report 2024 on “Doing Digital for Development: Access, Adopt, Anticipate, and Accelerate”.
• DRF’s legal team participated in a law conference hosted by BCP Liberty Law and Human Rights Society on “The Legal Implications Regarding Digital Rights Protection in Light of Artificial Intelligence” on 24th January at Beaconhouse Liberty Campus, Lahore. Legal professionals and AI researchers explored the challenges and legal frameworks necessary to protect privacy, intellectual property, and online security in an AI-driven world.

Tech trends and tips:

New tech and platform developments:

Changes to Meta’s policies: On January 7, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg issued a statement regarding changes to Meta’s content moderation policy. Citing a “cultural tipping point towards prioritising free speech,” Zuckerberg announced that Meta was removing its third-party fact checking model, and moving to a Community Notes model, similar to X’s. Meta is also loosening restrictions on content moderation of topics like gender identity and immigration, and moving its trust and safety and content moderation team from California to Texas.

DeepSeek AI: On 20 January, Chinese artificial intelligence firm Deepseek released its latest, cutting-edge R1 LLM at a fraction of the cost of competitors, including its direct competitor, OpenAI's o1 model. This sent a tidal wave through the U.S. stock market, with the Silicon Valley tech giant NVIDIA facing considerable losses. Aside from the financial shock, this development also causes geopolitical concerns within the U.S. over AI market dominance, being compared to the Soviet Union's overtaking the U.S. in the 1950s space race.

Tip of the month: Messaging and Email

There are many messaging apps like Signal, WhatsApp, Telegram, and Viber, but not all prioritize privacy. Experts recommend Signal for human rights defenders due to its open-source nature, end-to-end encryption, and zero data tracking. Unlike WhatsApp, Signal stores backups locally and doesn’t sync messages across devices.

While WhatsApp also offers encryption, the app’s backups on Google Drive or iCloud remain unencrypted, making them vulnerable. This is why Signal is a better choice for privacy-centric communication.

Similarly, for secure email, ProtonMail is highly recommended. It provides automatic encryption for emails sent between ProtonMail users. For non-Proton users, a phrase-protected encryption method ensures privacy. With apps available on Android and iOS, ProtonMail is easy to use like Gmail or Outlook with prioritizing security.

DRF Resources:

Cyber Harassment Helpline:

The Cyber Harassment Helpline received 191 complaints in January 2025, of which 166 were related to cyber harassment.

In January, an incident also became known in which scammers were using number spoofing software to impersonate state authorities and get sensitive information.

If you encounter such a problem, you can reach out to our 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.

 

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/

Our Executive Director Nighat Dad was interviewed by WIRED magazine. The feature traced her journey from escaping an abusive marriage to becoming a vocal advocate for women’s social and digital rights, and founding the Digital Rights Foundation (DRF). The feature was also covered in WIRED’s weekly wrap! Read the interview here.

 

 

 

 

Policy Initiatives:

Platforms at the Polls

DRF released a report analyzing platform accountability during Pakistan’s 2024 general elections, focusing on how social media platforms have increasingly become critical tools for political parties in order to influence and win over voters. Analyzing 225 social media posts depicting technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) and gendered disinformation against electoral candidates, activists and journalists, it became evident that platforms failed to actively remove harmful content or regulate political spending by parties. Our complete report is available here.

Campaign on 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence and Human Rights Day

DRF’s 16 Days of Activism campaign continued with more #StayCybersafe daily tips. Our series envisioning what Pakistan would look like free from gender-based violence also continued. The campaign finally culminated on 10 December with an online panel discussion titled ‘Achieving Gender Justice & Digital Equity in Pakistan post Beijing+30’. The panelists were National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) standing chair Ume Laila Azhar, former NCSW chair Khawar Mumtaz, Global Network of Women Peacebuilders senior programs officer Sophia Dianne Garcia, and DRF programs lead Seerat Khan. Watch the livestream recording of the event here.

Campaign on International Day for Minorities

To mark International Day for Minorities (18 December), DRF reshared its policy brief titled ‘Countering Online Misinformation Against Religious Minorities in Pakistan’. DRF called for safer, inclusive digital spaces through collective effort from state authorities, platforms and civil society. Read the brief here.

 

Blog post on Platform Accountability

DRF team member Sara Imran wrote a blog post analyzing the recent crackdown on data scraping by X and other platforms. The piece highlighted the impact of such restrictions on academic research that relies on publicly available data, and concluded that “blanket bans on data scraping are not a one-size-fits-all solution”. Read the blog post here.

 

 

Press Coverage:

Nighat Dad in AP News

In AP News’ piece on how deepfakes have been weaponized against Pakistan’s women leaders, DRF Executive Director pointed out that Pakistan’s laws related to online safety have also been used to block sites as “a quick solution for the government... violating other fundamental rights". Read the article here.

DRF in Index on Censorship’s article

DRF team members Anam Baloch and Seerat Khan highlighted the impact of increasing Internet restrictions  in Index on Censorship's article on increasing censorship in Pakistan. Read the article here.

DRF in Kashmir Express News segment

DRF team member Aneeqa Shahid appeared on Kashmir Express News to explain to viewers how they can protect themselves from scammers online, particularly in light of the HEC scam which led to financial loss and stealing of WhatsApp accounts. Watch the segment here.

Nighat Dad on the Digital Nation Pakistan bill

In a Samaa TV news segment on the digitization of Pakistan via the Digital Nation Pakistan Bill, DRF Executive Director Nighat Dad weighed in and emphasized that personal data protection legislation is imperative. Watch the entire segment here.

Nighat Dad talks about Internet outages in Pakistan

DRF Executive Director Nighat Dad told Geo News how Internet disruptions not only deny access to information, but are “also economically costly and damage Pakistan's reputation as a reliable player in the global IT industry". Read what she recommends to improve Pakistan's digital future in the article here.

Nighat Dad at SAMAAJ Seminar on Preventing Child Sexual Abuse

DRF Executive Director Nighat Dad contributed to a discussion on preventing child sexual abuse in Pakistan on 30 December. The event titled “Beyond Silence and Shame: Preventing Child Sexual Abuse in Pakistan” was organized by SAMAAJ in partnership with the German Embassy. She also spoke on the topic to VoicePK and Lahore News, underscoring the need to increase digital safeguards for children and ensure safer online spaces.

DRF was also featured in the following press coverage:

Outlet	Date	Article
Arab News	3 December 2024	Imran Khan’s party denounces Pakistan government task force against anti-state online campaigns
Arab News	3 December 2024	Deepfakes weaponized to target Pakistan’s women leaders
France 24	3 December 2024	Deepfakes weaponized to target Pakistan’s women leaders
AFP News	3 December 2024	Deepfakes weaponized to target Pakistan’s women leaders
Dawn	3 December 2024	Deepfakes weaponized to target Pakistan’s women leaders
Gulf Today	4 December 2024	Deepfakes targeting Pakistan’s women politicians
WIRED	5 December 2024	She Escaped an Abusive Marriage-Now She Helps Women Battle Cyber Harassment
IT Security News	5 December 2024	She Escaped an Abusive Marriage-Now She Helps Women Battle Cyber Harassment
The Straits Times	8 December 2024	Deepfakes weaponised to target Pakistan’s women leaders
Pen International	9 December 2024	India: Targeting of journalist Mohammed Zubair condemned by human rights organisations
Amnesty International	9 December 2024	India: International human rights organisations condemn the continued use of sedition to target Indian journalist, Mohammed Zubair.
Clarion India	11 December 2024	Global Rights Groups Condemn Sedition Case against Alt News Co-founder Zubair
India Tomorrow	11 December 2024	International human rights groups condemn sedition case against Zubair of Alt News
Access Now	12 December 2024	#KeepItOn: authorities in Pakistan must stop the ongoing suppression of digital rights
Dig Watch	17 December 2024	Balancing regulation, innovation, and rights in the digital space
Index on Censorship	19 December 2024	Pakistan faces increasing internet censorship
Israel National News	20 December 2024	Meta’s Oversight Board is stacking the decks against Zionism
Geo News	20 December 2024	Disinformation, hate rampant on social media during Feb 8 election: report
The News	20 December 2024	Disinformation, hate rampant on social media during 2024 elections: DRF report
Hum English	20 December 2024	Misinformation, disinformation and other digital woes: DRF analyses Election 2024
Kashmir Express Digital	20 December 2024	New WhatsApp hacking fraud : How to avoid hackers trap : HEC degree verification : Cyber Experts
SUNO FM 89.4	20 December 2024	Online Frauds and Scams and How to Prevent Becoming a Victim?
SAMAA TV	21 December 2024	Digitization of Pakistan | PM Shehbaz Sharif's major decisions | Breaking News | Samaa TV
Geo News	25 December 2024	Disconnected: How internet outages held back Pakistan in 2024
The News	26 December 2024	Unsung heroes

Events:

Meta Roundtable on Online Youth Safety

DRF, the Ministry of Human Rights, Meta, the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR), and the National Commission on the Rights of the Child jointly hosted a roundtable on online youth safety in Islamabad, launching a comprehensive Youth Safety Policy Document with actionable recommendations for policymakers, educators, and tech platforms. DRF’s Seerat Khan shared findings from focus group discussions and surveys with parents and youth across the country. Meta showcased its safety tools. The discussion underscored the importance of collaboration to create inclusive and secure digital environments for young users.

Meeting with Rana Mashood on Collaboration with PM Youth Programme

DRF representatives met with Rana Mashood and his team to explore potential collaboration opportunities under the PM Youth Programme. Key discussions focused on expanding DRF initiatives, such as the Hamara Internet project and Digital Literacy Bootcamp, to the national level with the PM Office’s support. Both teams emphasized the importance of collective effort, particularly in addressing issues like personal data protection, digital scams, and enhancing youth-focused digital literacy. Future plans include joint awareness initiatives, sharing educational content, and participation in conferences.

Meta Community Summit 2024

DRF Program Lead Seerat Khan and Program Manager Anam Baloch participated in the Meta Community Summit 2024, a platform dedicated to fostering dialogue with civil society partners. The summit focused on social media best practices, online safety, and freedom of expression, underscoring Meta's commitment to cultivating a safe and open online environment in Pakistan.

 

 

 

 

Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands’ “Panel Discussion Voices for Change” and UN Women Pakistan’s “Theater on Wheels”

DRF attended and participated in these events held to mark the global 16 Days of Activism campaign. UN Women Pakistan’s "Theatre on Wheels" took place in Islamabad on 10-11 December, and aimed to strengthen civil society engagement to promote gender equality vis-a-vis the Beijing+30 goals. Representing civil society, DRF team member Irum Shujah shared her learnings and experiences from attending Beijing+30. DRF also attended the panel discussion "Voices for Change: Youth Perspectives on Challenges and Opportunities" hosted by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The discussion explored the challenges faced by Pakistani youth, particularly women and girls, and highlighted opportunities for their empowerment.

Other events:

• DRF Communications Manager Maheen Rasheed attended a national conference titled "Inspiring Change & Empowering Humanity" Conference: Advancing Human Rights for All”, co-organized by the Khawaja Sira Society and the National Commission for Human Rights, on 2 December.
• DRF’s Legal Associate participated in Justice Project Pakistan’s consultation in Lahore with Ms. Christine Chung (UN OHCHR) on 5 December. Participants discussed the next steps for civil society engagement after Pakistan's ICCPR treaty body review.
• On 10-11 December, representatives from the American Institute of Pakistan Studies (AIPS) visited DRF to discuss the ongoing Digital Literacy and Citizenship Bootcamp programme.
• DRF conducted a session on navigating online safety in journalism at the Sahafi Summit conference, hosted by Media Matters for Democracy (MMfD) in partnership with the Association of Media and Communication Academic Professionals (AMCAP), at the Beaconhouse National University on 11 December.
• On 20 December, DRF team member Anmol Sajjad delivered an engaging virtual session on online fraud with Suno FM Radio (89.4-96). Nearly 30 callers asked questions about online fraud. Listen to the session here.
• DRF held a two-day digital skills training workshop on 30-31 December in Peshawar. This workshop provided training on essential digital safety practices, addressing legal challenges, reporting online hateful content and using open-source tools.

Tech trends and tips:

New tech and platform developments:

VPN Bans (or not): A new controversial scheme was introduced to allow local companies to provide “approved”, localised VPNs after paying for a 15-year license. The rescinding of the ban has not stopped the government from seeking to criminalise VPNs and other forms of proxy software either.

Fake News: The government declared the creation of a “fake news” task force to “identify individuals/groups and organisations involved in creating and spreading fake and misleading news surrounding political miscreants in Islamabad from Nov 24-27, 2024, including entire media campaign (sic) related to the issue.”

PECA Amendments: Amendments to PECA were tabled that would create the Digital Rights Protection Authority (DRPA) for prosecuting the sharing or accessing of prohibited content. More legal cover to block devices, such as VPNs would also be given.

Digital Nation Pakistan: The Digital Nation Pakistan Bill (DNPB) calls for the centralisation of citizen data to create a unified “digital identity”. Two government authorities – the National Digital Commission, and the Pakistan Digital Authority - would be created to develop  the “required policy, provide governance and ensure necessary coordination”.

Digital “Bill of Rights”: PPP co-leader Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari called for the creation of a digital “bill of rights”, drafted and contributed towards by Pakistani youth, which he declared would be presented in the National Assembly.

Tip of the month: Secure communication channels

Many messenger or email apps may be susceptible to interception and eavesdropping. To select a secure communication channel, one should consider the following:

1. Is your app open or closed source: In closed source apps, the source code is not made public, so there is no guarantee regarding its safety. In open source apps, the source code is publicly available for external security audits, which is why these apps are considered more secure. Basic versions of such apps are usually free unlike proprietary applications.
2. Does your app support end-to-end encryption (E2E): E2E means that messages are encrypted from sender to receiver, and the chat(messages) cannot be overhead or tampered with. One must take into account that all conversation should be end-to-end encrypted.

DRF Resources:

Cyber Harassment Helpline:

The Cyber Harassment Helpline received 237 complaints in December 2024, of which 82% were related to cyber harassment. The helpline also celebrated 8 years since its inception this month by sharing a case where the helpline team helped take down sensitive pictures of a complainant from social media platforms. Click here to listen to the story.

If you’re encountering a problem online, you can reach out to our 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.

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/

DRF—in collaboration with the Center for Studies in Freedom of Expression and Access to Information (CELE), 7amleh, WHAT TO FIX, The London Story Foundation, Citizens’ Association (CA) “Zašto ne (Why not)”, and Myanmar Internet Project—set up the Global Majority House on 15 November to drive critical dialogue and collaboration between the Global South and Europe on digital governance. According to DRF Executive Director Nighat Dad, “We hope to contribute to conversations on systemic risks and crisis protocols while engaging with the broader ‘Brussels effect’ to shape global standards that resonate with the values and realities of the Global Majority.” Read more here.

 

Policy Initiatives:

Meeting with President Macron on tech and human rights

DRF’s Executive Director Nighat Dad participated in the Paris Peace Forum as part of the tech leaders cohort. The Paris Peace Forum is a platform that puts global governance, rule of law and peace on the international agenda. Ms Dad met with President Emmanuel Macron and other industry leaders to discuss the human rights implications of emerging technologies like AI, and challenges to digital governance.

 

Asia-Pacific Civil Society Consultation Report for Beijing+30

The Beijing+30 Asia-Pacific Civil Society Steering Committee, of which DRF is part, released a report titled Forging Gender-Just Futures ahead of the Beijing+30 proceedings in November. This report highlights priority areas of action to advance women’s human rights and gender equality based on the lived experiences of civil society members in the region. Read the report here.

 

Campaign on International Day to End Impunity Against Journalists (2 November)

On International Day to End Impunity Against Journalists, DRF called attention to the lack of implementation of the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Act, specifically regarding the non-establishment of a Commission for investigating, prosecuting and penalising rights violations against journalists. See our explainer here.

 

 

Campaign on International Day for Tolerance (16 November)

To mark International Day for Tolerance, DRF reshared the story of Laila, a trans femme TikTok influencer who experiences a unique form of online gender-based violence. See the English version here, and the Urdu version here.

Campaign on 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (25 November to 10 December)

DRF kicked off its campaign on 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence with ‘Stay Cybersafe’ daily tips. Women and girls also shared their vision of what Pakistan would look like free from gender-based violence, a fitting reminder on International Day to End Violence Against Women (25 November). On 29 November, DRF marked International Women Human Rights Defenders Day by saluting women activists who raise their voices to help others, and raising awareness about psychosocial support for their emotional wellbeing.

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Blogpost on Platform Accountability

As part of DRF's new series on Platform Accountability, DRF analyzed a case of online gendered violence against trans community member Dolphin Ayan Khan, in which a video containing sensitive images of her was posted non-consensually on Facebook, X and YouTube. Did these platforms act to take the video down, or suspend accounts posting malicious web links that claimed to offer full access to the video? Read DRF’s analysis here.

 

Press Coverage:

CII decree against VPN usage criticized

Along with other rights activists, DRF's Executive Director Nighat Dad responded to the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) decree against VPN use. She pointed out that the move to block VPNs conflicts with our fundamental right to privacy, and aims "only to target certain social media users". Read more here.

A study on AI generation of hyper-realistic images

Commenting on a study on AI, DRF's Executive Director Nighat Dad highlighted inclusivity issues and the potential misuse of hyper-realistic AI images. She said, “Including local skin tones within a predominantly white dataset is an essential step toward building inclusive AI models.” She also expressed concern about AI's accelerated progress, particularly in Pakistan where such technology is still a new phenomenon and has been used for exploitation and scams. Read more here.

DRF was also cited in the following press coverage:

Date	Article	Media Outlet
1 November 2024	#KeepItOn Mauritius: global coalition urges first-time offender to end crackdown on social media	Access Now
5 November 2024	Experts call for balanced social media regulation	Business Recorder
12 November 2024	Statement on the targeting and killing of journalists in Palestine and Lebanon	APC
14 November 2024	Advocates and Researchers Set Up "Global Majority House" in Brussels to Engage with Digital Services Act	Tech Policy Press
17 November 2024	Council of Islamic Ideology under fire over decree against use of VPNs	Dawn
17 November 2024	Pakistan: Council of Islamic Ideology faces backlash over anti-VPN decree	ANI
17 November 2024	Pakistan’s ‘VPN use un-Islamic’ edict by top religious body draws widespread backlash	New Indian Express
17 November 2024	Pakistani religious body faces backlash over anti-VPN decree	The Week
18 November 2024	Pakistan religious body issues 'Diktat' on using VPNs	Times of India
18 November 2024	Criticism of Islamic Ideology Council for declaring VPNs un-islamic	Minute Mirror
25 November 2024	Protecting women	Dawn
29 November 2024	HCSTSI urges stronger cyber crime measures	Minute Mirror

Events:

DRF participates in this year's Beijing+30 review

DRF participated in the final review of the Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA), of which Pakistan is signatory, known as the Beijing+30 review. As a member of the Beijing+30 Asia-Pacific Civil Society Steering Committee, DRF was honoured to work together with civil society groups around the region to advance Beijing+30 gender equality goals.

DRF representative Irum Shujah, participated in the Young Feminist Forum on 16 November, where over 135 young feminist leaders from the Asia-Pacific shaped key demands for the Beijing+30 review. Their collective statement highlighted systemic oppressions rooted in colonialism, patriarchy, and racism, calling for transformative, intersectional, and inclusive feminist actions to reclaim rights and address the lived realities of youth in diverse contexts.

Ms Shujah also attended the preparatory CSO Forum held on 17-18 November, which brought together diverse voices from across the region to drive civil society engagement in the process.

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, Ms Shujah participated in the Ministerial Conference on the Beijing+30 Review, held on 19-21 November. This high-level forum, organized by the Asia Pacific Forum on Women in collaboration with UN Women, convened ministers, officials, and key stakeholders to evaluate the region's progress under the BPfA, address legal and policy challenges, and strengthen commitments to gender equality and women's empowerment.

Digital Literacy & Citizenship Bootcamp in Bagh, Azad Kashmir

DRF conducted its fifth Digital Literacy and Citizenship Bootcamp for 58 students at the Women University in Bagh, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, with the support of the U.S. Embassy, Islamabad. The students learnt about cyber harassment, online safety safety, disinformation and misinformation in today’s digital ecosystem, as well as the emergence of AI and what tools they can use to optimize the use of digital technology.

Other events:

• As part of the Beijing+30 process, the DRF legal team attended an online info session titled Road to Beijing+30 and Beijing 101 organized by the Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law, and Development (APWLD) on 5 November.
• The DRF legal team participated in a UNESCO webinar titled "AI in the Courts: Transforming Justice with Practical Applications and Use Cases" on 21 November. The webinar brought together representatives from various countries to share insights on integrating AI into judicial processes. The discussion highlighted innovative approaches to leveraging AI for enhancing judicial efficiency, while emphasizing the importance of safeguarding justice, protecting human rights, and ensuring ethical, responsible implementation.
• DRF took part in the iMap’s Community Of Practice, a regular gathering of those who are affected by network interference and where regular updates are discussed among iMap’s community of civil society organizations.

Tech trends and tips

New tech and platform developments:

Unregistered VPNs are being blocked in Pakistan

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has started its second trial to block unregistered VPNs ahead of a nationwide crackdown starting December 1, citing security risks and misuse concerns. Over 25,000 VPNs have been registered so far, with the PTA streamlining the process to ensure compliance.

Tip of the month:

Every time you post on social media, send an email or do a Google search, you leave a trace. These traces are actually permanent data trails which are tracked, analyzed and used to construct your 'profile'. Your profile is then used by businesses to bombard you with offers and adverts. This trail, consisting of information you leave and activities you do on the Internet, is called digital footprint.

You can reduce your digital footprint by:

• Self-Doxxing: Google yourself first and then contact the relevant sites to take down your personal information
• Setting up Google alerts: Set up a Google alert to keep yourself updated if your name is being mentioned somewhere on internet
• Deactivation of unwanted accounts: Delete or deactivate any of your accounts which are no longer required otherwise your profile will still be visible to others
• Privacy Policy: Always read the terms and condition before subscribing to online services
• Don't be fooled by surveys: Never fill out any survey that pops-up while browsing because someone is collecting your data
• Clearing cookies and caches: Always make sure to clear cookies and remove caches to prevent site tracking

 

DRF Resources:

Cyber Harassment Helpline:

The Cyber Harassment Helpline received 186 complaints in total in November 2024, around 80% of which were related to cyber harassment.

 

If you’re encountering a problem online, you can reach out to our 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.

 

 

 

 

 

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/

DRF made a civil society submission report to the UN Human Rights Committee (HRC) for its second state review of Pakistan’s progress under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) obligations. The ICCPR commits nations to respect civil and political rights, including the right to life, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of peaceful assembly, electoral rights and rights to due process. DRF raised serious concerns about Pakistan’s growing censorship and restrictive laws that endanger free speech, privacy, and press freedom, especially for journalists. Read more here.

Policy Initiatives:

Campaign on Cybersecurity Awareness Month (October)

DRF raised awareness about different cybersecurity concerns in honour of Cybersecurity Awareness Month. These ranged from access control, device security, safe browsing, email and social media security, to social engineering attacks and opting out of Meta AI.

Campaign on International Day of the Girl Child (11 October)

In honor of International Day of the Girl Child, DRF ran polls and open-ended questions to engage with girls in Pakistan directly and ask them about their experience of online spaces, emphasizing the need to empower girls with digital literacy and let them lead the way.

Campaign  on Global Encryption Day (21 October)

DRF Executive Director Nighat Dad talked about the importance of global encryption for Global Encryption Day, highlighting the importance of encryption to our right of privacy in online spaces.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

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Press Coverage:

Nighat Dad  highlights platform accountability on AJ Stream

DRF Executive Director Nighat Dad shared her views with AJ Stream on platform accountability and preventing the accumulation of power in the hands of the few. A multi-stakeholder approach is essential, especially voices from global majority countries.

Watch the entire segment here

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Digital Rights Foundation (@digitalrightsfoundation)

Op-eds on Social Media Disinformation and Internet Freedom

DRF Executive Director Nighat Dad and Senior Research Associate Adnan A. Chaudhri published an op-ed on the role of social media platforms in amplifying disinformation, specifically in the context of harassment allegations that surfaced online related to a female student of Punjab Group of Colleges. These allegations, suspected to be disinformation, sparked campus-wide protests and retaliatory police violence.

Another op-ed published by the DRF team (Executive Director Nighat Dad and Programs Lead Seerat Khan) was on Pakistan’s ranking as second among nine countries that imposed internet and platform restrictions in this year’s Freedom on the Net report.

DRF was also mentioned in the press in the following articles:

Date	Title	Link
6 Oct	Pakistan's Kafkaeaque Identity Problem	https://www.dawn.com/news/1863377/pakistans-kafkaesque-identity-problem
11 Oct	TikTok commits to supporting its community’s mental well-being	https://tradechronicle.com/tiktok-commits-to-supporting-its-communitys-mental-well-being/#google_vignette
12 Oct	Tiktok partners with Headspace to promote mental health awareness	https://tribune.com.pk/story/2502308/tiktok-partners-with-headspace-to-promote-mental-health-awareness#google_vignette
22 Oct	Caught in the web: Surveillance, data protection and AI in Pakistan	https://www.dawn.com/news/1864073/caught-in-the-web-surveillance-data-protection-and-ai-in-pakistan
24 Oct	The Flip Face of AI	https://www.thenews.com.pk/magazine/you/1244134-the-flip-face-of-ai

 

Events:

Gendered Disinformation in South Asia: Findings and Policy recommendations

On 29 October, DRF participated in an online seminar focused on gendered disinformation in South Asia. DRF Program Lead Seerat Khan and Cyber Harassment Helpline Manager Hyra Basit presented insights from DRF’s in-depth research on gendered disinformation in Pakistan, based on two years of data collection and annotation. DRF Executive Director Nighat Dad delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the critical need for platform accountability and transparency in addressing gendered disinformation across South Asia.

 

Asia Regional Symposium on Tech-Facilitated Gender Based Violence by UNFPA and Australia e-Commission

DRF participated in a symposium on Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) hosted by UNFPA on 15 October 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand. The event highlighted the impact of AI and TFGBV, particularly in the Global South. DRF Executive Director Nighat Dad provided an overview of DRF's work in addressing TFGBV and highlighted the rise in AI-generated image abuse and gendered disinformation campaigns. DRF Legal Manager Irum Shujah discussed DRF’s commitment to closely monitor processes at the High-Level Advisory Board, and elaborated on the pros and cons of AI from a South Asian perspective, emphasizing the need for equitable digital spaces in light of international legislation.

Digital Literacy and Citizenship Bootcamp at Women University, Multan

DRF conducted its 4th Digital Literacy and Citizenship Bootcamp for 52 students at the Women University in Multan, with the support of the U.S. Embassy, Islamabad. The students learnt about cyber harassment, online safety safety, disinformation and misinformation in today’s digital ecosystem, as well as the emergence of AI and LLMs in online and offline spaces.

Other events:

• DRF was invited to attend the Meta APAC AI Literacy and Safety Summit in Singapore on 29-30 October. DRF shared its insights on how genAI contributes to TFGBV, with data analytics from the Cyber Harassment Helpline.
• As part of the UN’s Global Media and Information Literacy Week, DRF Programs Lead Seerat Khan spoke at an online panel titled Media Literacy in the Age of Disinformation: Impact of Misinformation on Society & the Importance of Media Literacy.
• DRF held a two-day digital skills training workshop in Lahore as part of its ongoing series aimed at empowering individuals from at-risk communities and professions. The training covered key digital safety practices and introduced participants to various open-source tools.

New tech and platform developments:

X shares user data in new privacy policy: Social media platform X (formerly Twitter) has prepared a new privacy policy set to take effect on 15 November 2024. Under this policy, the platform will be able to share user data with third parties for training artificial intelligence (AI) models. This policy will allow any company to access licensed data from X for a fee.

Tip of the month (digital security):

Whenever you communicate on the internet, consider your security, especially when sharing sensitive or confidential information. Use encryption to protect your data. For secure messaging, consider using Signal over WhatsApp or Telegram, and for email, try ProtonMail instead of Gmail.

Cyber Harassment Helpline:

The Cyber Harassment Helpline received 211 complaints in total in October 2024, with  151 complaints by women.

If you’re encountering a problem online, you can reach out to our 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/

DRF is proud to announce that the UN Secretary General’s High-Level Advisory Body on AI, of which our Executive Director Nighat Dad is a member, presented their final report at this year's UN General Assembly. Read the report here. This report is the culmination of the body's efforts to establish a global AI governance framework that prioritizes human rights, particularly with the meaningful inclusion of the Global South. Its recommendations are now integrated in a groundbreaking pact among 193 member states called the Global Digital Compact, representing a significant commitment to rights-based AI and data governance. Ms. Dad provided further insights on the body's work during the Freedom Online Coalition's side event, emphasizing the importance of empowering civil society organizations to actively shape the future, and of holding social media platforms accountable to uphold fundamental rights.

Policy Initiatives:

Nighat Dad at the Global AI Summit (GAIN) 2024

At this year's GAIN summit in September, DRF Executive Director and Member of the UN Secretary General's Advisory Body on AI Nighat Dad underscored the importance of consulting all stakeholders for any AI governance initiative, especially civil society. AI policies must also be grounded in a rights-based framework, she said.

DRF published legal analysis on draft bill on AI regulation

A bill on AI regulation titled the ‘Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Act 2024’ was introduced in the Senate in September. The bill proposes a five-member National Commission on Artificial Intelligence (NCAI). Its responsibilities will include ensuring equitable access to AI opportunities for all citizens; maintaining human oversight over AI matters, particularly in areas such as national security, health, and education; guaranteeing AI systems are safe, secure from "malicious use", and free from errors; developing a robust AI research and development infrastructure; and utilizing AI to enhance public service delivery, such as in healthcare, finance, trade, and science. Furthermore, the bill imposes fines up to PKR 2.5 billion for non-compliance with provisions of the bill without specifying what "non-compliance" would mean. DRF has issued a quick analysis of the draft bill here.

International Day of Democracy Social Media Campaign

On 15 September, DRF marked the International Day of Democracy by questioning whether AI could be harnessed for good as a meaningful tool for governance and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

International Identity Day (ID Day) Social Media Campaign

On 16 September, DRF marked the International Day of Identity (or ID Day) by noting how our national identity cards (or CNICs) contain crucial sensitive information that must be safeguarded against theft or misuse. Read to find out about an important security tip that helps maintain privacy when sharing a digital copy of the card.

International Day for Universal Access to Information Campaign

 

On 28 September, DRF reflected on the many restrictions imposed on our access to information online during the year, and the impact it has had so far.

Press Coverage:

Nighat Dad spoke to Express News about keeping your online data safe

DRF Executive Director Nighat Dad spoke to Express News about ways to protect oneself against hacks and scams using online safety best practices, such as strong passwords, two-factor authentication (2FA) and updating your devices and software. Watch more here.

DRF team on VOA Urdu’s View 360 Program about cyberbullying

In an interview on VOA Urdu's View 360 program, DRF's Programs Lead Seerat Khan shed light on the nature of cyberbullying and ways to protect children from it. She emphasized how women and girls are most vulnerable to such online attacks that misuse their pictures and personal information, and recommended active parental controls and supervision, targeted education programs on digital literacy, and collective societal responsibility for using online spaces ethically. Watch the entire segment here.

Nighat Dad on the achievement of AI recommendations adopted in Global Digital Compact

DRF Executive Director Nighatdad recounted on Bol News how the Global Digital Compact was adopted this year at the inaugural UN General Assembly. In her capacity as member of the UN Secretary-General's High-Level Advisory Body on AI, Ms. Dad said that the body's tireless efforts to recommend a global AI governance framework have finally borne fruit—in a historical achievement, this body's recommendations were incorporated in the Global Digital Compact, and will now pave the way for future AI governance initiatives. Watch the entire segment here,

 

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

 

Media outlet	Date	Title
New York Post	4 September	Members of Meta’s Oversight Board have criticized Israel over Gaza — before deciding ‘from the river to the sea’ isn’t hate speech
Pakistan Today	6 September	Cyber security– imperative for Pakistan’s digital landscape
New York Post	5 September	Meta Oversight Board members have blasted Israel over Gaza: ‘Most criminal army in history’
Arab News	10 September	Governance and regulation of AI is crucial, experts say at Saudi-hosted summit
Zenger News	17 September	Kenya’s Special Envoy Urges Global Finance Reforms For Inclusive AI Governance At GAIN 2024 Summit‌

Events:

Digital Literacy and Citizenship Bootcamp at FCCU, Lahore

The DRF team, led by Senior Program Manager Zainab Durrani, conducted its third Digital Literacy and Citizenship Bootcamp at the Forman Christian College University (FCCU) in Lahore, with the support of the U.S. Embassy, Islamabad. The opening ceremony for this 10-day program was held at FCCU on 27 August 2024, with Rector FCCU Dr. Jonathan Addleton as the keynote speaker and DRF Executive Director Nighat Dad for the welcome note. 49 students learned key concepts such as legal knowledge, social science research, digital safety, digital etiquettes, AI and LLMs, and the impact of the disinformation ecosystem.

Emotional Resilience and Well-being Retreat 2024

DRF hosted its annual retreat for 27 women journalists and media practitioners at Nathia Gali, led by Program Manager Maham Bhatty, on 20-24 September. The retreat aimed to offer a platform for the participants to network, foster relationships, learn about protecting themselves in both online and offline spaces, and develop effective stress management and self-care strategies. It involved two days of intensive sessions in areas such as digital and legal safety, team-building activities, therapeutic healing sessions, and yoga; followed by one day of sightseeing to allow the participants a chance to unwind and step away from the daily challenges of their profession.

Two-day Digital Skills Training Workshop in Islamabad

DRF held a two-day digital skills training workshop in Islamabad. This workshop is part of a series designed to empower members of at-risk communities or occupations. The training focused on essential digital safety practices, featuring sessions on open-source tools. Additionally, our legal team provided insights into navigating legal challenges and reporting online hateful content in Pakistan.

DRF at Global Gathering 2024

At the Global Gathering in Estoril, Portugal, in September 2024, DRF played a significant role in hosting and participating in various events, including different circles and hosting a booth.  DRF led discussions on topics related to digital rights, privacy, and security. Our booth featured interactive sessions, showcasing DRF's work in advancing digital rights in Pakistan and fostering regional cooperation on issues such as online privacy and combating gender-based violence online. The event allowed for networking, knowledge sharing, and collaboration with other global digital rights organizations​.

Asia Pacific Feminist Forum (APFF)  2024

DRF participated in the APFF held in Chiang Mai, Thailand, this year, where we presented our research on gendered disinformation in South Asia along with our partner organizations Meedan, Chambal Media, and The Quint. The presentation was based on the case study developed as part of the research that captured the realities of local communities for a more inclusive perspective.

Landscapes of Hope Annual Meeting on the Margins of Requiem for Justice

DRF participated in the annual meeting of Landscapes of Hope, a network of 25 civil society organizations from South America, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, organized by Action for Hope from 18-23 September in Amsterdam, Netherlands. This gathering brought together artists, writers, journalists, and civil society activists from across the globe to raise awareness about social and cultural challenges in the world on issues involving freedom of speech, inequality, injustice, and oppression.

DRF attended a Training Workshop on Legal Strategies for Advancing Gender Justice

DRF's legal team participated in a two-day training workshop organized by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) in Lahore from 5-6 September 2024. The workshop provided in-depth insights into effective legal strategies for promoting gender justice. The workshop also featured interactive discussions and group presentations on how to implement these strategies for public advocacy, offering practical approaches to advancing gender rights through legal frameworks.

DRF attended the “In Search of a Roadmap for Police Reform” roundtable

DRF attended a roundtable on police reform in Punjab organized by Centre for Peace and Development Initiative (CPDI). This roundtable covered the implementation of the Police Order, matters of oversight and accountability, and other policing challenges. DRF's Legal Lead Irum Shujah highlighted the gendered perspective of dealing with local police when assisting women subjected to gender-based violence, both online and offline. She emphasized the importance of addressing the lack of gender sensitization, which often leads to female victims being re-victimized when seeking legal remedies.

DRF attended a Mobilization Meeting on Digital Rights Emergency in Pakistan

On 24 September, the DRF legal team attended a mobilization meeting on the digital rights emergency in Pakistan, organized by HRCP in Islamabad. Policy experts, human rights activists, journalists and civil society members came together to tackle pressing issues such as internet disruptions, VPN registration, and the installation of firewalls. Key discussions included the ongoing ban on X (formerly Twitter) and a critical analysis of the Punjab Defamation Act, which raised serious concerns about legal definitions and the increasing burdens on defendants.

New tech and platform developments

The Global Digital Compact: On 22 September 2024, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a Global Digital Compact. The Global Digital Compact is a UN initiative designed to lay down a set of guidelines for how digital technologies should be governed globally. Its focus ranges from digital rights to ensuring the responsible use of emerging technologies such as AI. It comes on the back of years of work into evolving a global consensus on digital cooperation.

Meta introduces Instagram Teen Accounts: In an effort to keep teenage children safe, Meta introduced Instagram Teen Accounts, designed to address parents’ concerns regarding their children’s wellbeing and online safety. These accounts include a supervision feature with insights into who the child is chatting with and the ability to block access to the app or certain topics in the feed for a specific time period.

DRF’s Cyber Harassment Helpline

Our Cyber Harassment Helpline received 236 complaints in total in September 2024, with 150 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/

 

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.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Minority Rights March (@aqliyatihuqooqmarch)

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/

 

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:

Voice.pk	Toxic talk: The alarming rise of misogynistic content	https://voicepk.net/2024/07/toxic-talk-the-alarming-rise-of-misogynistic-content/
The Express Tribune	Telcos running mass surveillance system under PTA’s orders	https://tribune.com.pk/story/2476503/telcos-running-mass-surveillance-system-under-ptas-orders
VOA	Pakistan hearings on surveillance, TikTok worry digital rights advocates	https://www.voanews.com/a/pakistan-hearings-on-surveillance-tiktok-worry-digital-rights-advocates-/7689948.html
Arab News	Rights activists raise privacy concerns after Pakistan authorizes top spy agency to tap calls, messages	https://www.arabnews.pk/node/2546556/pakistan
Daily Pakistan	Rights activists raise privacy concerns as Pakistan authorizes spy agency to tap phone calls, messages	https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/09-Jul-2024/rights-activists-raise-privacy-concerns-as-pakistan-authorizes-spy-agency-to-tap-phone-calls-messages
APC	Civil society joint brief on the UN Global Digital Compact: What's at stake for internet governance and human rights	https://www.apc.org/en/pubs/civil-society-joint-brief-un-global-digital-compact-whats-stake-internet-governance-and-human
Access Now	#KeepItOn: Bangladesh’s government must restore internet access, ensure connectivity during student protests	https://www.accessnow.org/press-release/keepiton-restore-internet-during-student-protests-bangladesh/
The Friday Times	Sexist, Derogatory Statements By Dr Omer Adil Against Women in Media Condemned	https://thefridaytimes.com/25-Jul-2024/sexist-derogatory-statements-by-dr-omer-adil-against-women-in-media-condemned

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 [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.

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/

June 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.

 

Global Voices Advox	The latest defamation bill further tightens restrictions on free speech in Pakistan	https://advox.globalvoices.org/2024/05/30/the-latest-defamation-bill-further-tightens-restrictions-on-free-speech-in-pakistan/
Capital Research Center	Misinformation and Checking the Fact-Checkers: Pushing Censorship	https://capitalresearch.org/article/misinformation-and-checking-the-fact-checkers-part-4/
Dawn	Alarm over surveillance of girls in private spaces	https://www.dawn.com/news/1838477/alarm-over-surveillance-of-girls-in-private-spaces
Dawn	Hidden cams	https://www.dawn.com/news/1838914/hidden-cams
The News	Not so hidden agenda	https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1199462-not-so-hidden-agenda
Times of India	Pakistan: Human Rights body raises concern about situation in Kyber Pakhtunkhwa	https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/pakistan-human-rights-body-raises-concern-about-situation-in-khyber-pakhtunkhwa/articleshow/110925261.cms
The News	Enough is enough	https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1199465-enough-is-enough
News on Air	Pakistan Human Rights Commission Raises Alarms On Human Rights And Law Enforcement In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province	https://www.newsonair.gov.in/pakistan-human-rights-commission-raises-alarms-on-human-rights-and-law-enforcement-in-khyber-pakhtunkhwa-province/
My Ind	Human Rights Body in Pakistan voices concern over Khyber Pakhtunkhwa situation	https://myind.net/Home/viewArticle/human-rights-body-in-pakistan-voices-concern-over-khyber-pakhtunkhwa-situation
The Khaama Press	Surge in Hidden Camera Incidents in Pakistan’s Girls’ Hostels Raises Alarm	https://www.khaama.com/surge-in-hidden-camera-incidents-in-pakistans-girls-hostels-raises-alarm/
Business Recorder	Violation of women’s privacy	https://www.brecorder.com/news/40308746
The News	Battle for privacy	https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1201108-battle-for-privacy
National Endowment for Democracy	Manufacturing deceit how generative AI supercharges information manipulation	https://www.ned.org/events/manufacturing-deceit-how-generative-ai-supercharges-information-manipulation/

 

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 [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.

 

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.

 

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/

 

 

 

 

Under a generous grant from the U.S Embassy Islamabad and in collaboration with the American Institute of Pakistan Studies (AIPS), the Digital Rights Foundation, led by Senior Program Manager Zainab Durrani, conducted the inaugural session of the 10-Day Digital Literacy and Citizenship Bootcamp at the University of Karachi between April 22nd and May 3rd, 2024. 

 

The Bootcamp was attended by 63 students from the Department of Public Administration. The Digital Literacy Bootcamp has been designed to build the capacity of university students on key digital rights issues like digital literacy, online information landscape, digital safety and digital citizenship, keeping in mind that online spaces are now reflective of our lived experiences in our offline lives and with our digital profiles opening new avenues for us, it is crucial to be aware of our rights as digital citizens. The Bootcamp comprises a series of 40+ modules that are designed and aimed at fostering the knowledge of digital citizens in Pakistan in online safety skills to navigate online spaces more effectively. 

 

Policy Initiatives: 

World Press Freedom Day 2024

On World Press Freedom Day 2024, we celebrated the resilient voices of female journalists and our 200+ members strong Network of Women Journalists for Digital Rights (NWJDR).

 

DRF joins organizations in the Global South Alliance  in issuing a statement about their position on the UN Global Digital Compact (GDC) and Summit of the Future

The organizations would like the global body to address pressing issues for civil society in the digital rights sphere with a focus on several areas including Internet access, Research and Data access. They are also expressing concern over the global distribution of risks and opportunities offered by existing and emerging technologies. As much as they welcome the process of a GDC that would contribute towards bridging gaps brought about by inequalities created by technologies, it is their position that the Global South has unique needs and priorities, influenced by unique contexts, dependencies and technology infrastructure.

 

Read the full statement here

 

World Telecommunication And Information Society Day

DRF commemorated World Telecommunication and Information Society Day by shedding light on the Digital Divide in Pakistan through a gendered lens.

 

Digital Rights Foundation joined over 80 Civil Society Organizations and Journalists in Rejecting the Punjab Defamation Bill (2024)

DRF joined over 80 civil society organizations and journalists in rejecting the Punjab Defamation Bill. The Punjab Defamation Bill (2024) is a significant infringement on freedom of expression and press freedom, serving as a draconian tool to suppress dissent, particularly targeting journalists and the public. The bill's provisions, which allow defamation actions without proof of actual damage and impose harsh fines, amount to legal intimidation tactics. By replacing district courts with tribunals, the bill enables undue interference and sets a dangerous precedent by broadly defining "journalists" and "newspapers" to include social media users. This legislation's disproportionate punishments, such as blocking social media accounts, are antithetical to democratic principles. In the statement, we urge the Punjab government to reverse this regressive effort and engage in inclusive consultations to effectively address disinformation and hate speech.

 

The Network of Women Journalists for Digital Rights (NWJDR) condemns the online abuse and threats against Absa Komal

Press Coverage: 

Nighat Dad on Al Jazeera English | How deepfakes can jeopardise the integrity of elections 

Nighat Dad discusses founding the Digital Rights Foundation a decade ago due to her experiences as a South Asian woman and observing digital rights issues in South Asia, especially Pakistan. As a lawyer focused on women's rights, she saw marginalized groups, especially women, facing significant challenges online. 

 

Initially, issues included misinformation, disinformation, digital voter suppression, and online privacy. Now, AI has exacerbated these problems, manipulating voter behavior through algorithms, generative content, and deep fakes. She emphasizes that AI-driven decision-making in elections is often unfair and discriminatory, with a severe impact on female politicians in countries like Pakistan.

 

Watch the entire panel here.

 

‘Uncharted terrain’: How officials, campaigners and fact-checkers tackle AI’s influence on elections around the world

Nighat Dad discusses the impact of generative AI on Pakistan's February election, particularly how Imran Khan's AI-cloned voice messages mobilized voters. Despite the enthusiasm around AI's potential, Dad, founder of the Digital Rights Foundation, expresses concerns over the technology's negative effects, especially the spread of deepfakes and disinformation. She highlights the risks posed to marginalized groups, including women and religious minorities, who have faced attacks through AI-generated sexualized and blasphemous content, potentially endangering their safety in Pakistan's conservative society.

 

Read the full article here.

 

Nighat Dad on Asma Sherazi’s show on  HUM News

Nighat Dad, while criticizing the Punjab Defamation Bill on Asma Shirazi's program on Hum News, stated that the bill is against freedom of expression and press freedom. She described the bill as harsh and biased, aimed at protecting government officials from accountability. Nighat Dad emphasized that the penalties proposed in the bill are disproportionate and could be used against minority groups and women.

 

Listen to her full discussion here.

 

Nighat Dad about the new Cyber Crime Agency on Aik News

Will this new Cyber Crime Agency lead to social media restrictions? Digital rights activist Nighat Dad has openly expressed her views.

 

Listen to her full talk here.

 

Seerat Khan on GTV

Seerat Khan, DRF's Program Lead, spoke with GTV News about the fear surrounding AI, particularly the proliferation of deep fake imagery. Women are the most vulnerable to this behavior, and it has the potential to permanently alter their lives.

 

Byte backlash: new cybercrime agency raises eyebrows

Nighat Dad expresses concern over the lack of consultation with civil society regarding a new cyber agency. She highlights the uncertainty and confusion surrounding the agency's formation and its impact on ongoing cybercrime cases. Dad worries about how her cybercrime helpline will function, questioning which agency to refer cases to and the fate of current cases handled by the FIA. And she emphasizes the need for clarity on these issues as they remain unresolved.

 

Read the full article here.

 

DRF in Press

The Nation	Cyber Crisis	https://www.nation.com.pk/10-May-2024/cyber-crisis
NOS	Meta Supervisory Board: Instagram and Facebook censor Palestinians	https://nos.nl/nieuwsuur/collectie/13903/artikel/2519918-toezichtraad-meta-instagram-en-facebook-censureren-palestijnen
Turkiye Newspaper	Meta reveals censor allegations on Facebook, Instagram regarding Palestinian content	https://www.turkiyenewspaper.com/world/22977
IRNA	Facebook, Instagram censor pro-Palestinian content: Oversight Board	https://en.irna.ir/news/85473681/Facebook-Instagram-censor-pro-Palestinian-content-Oversight
Aurora | Dawn	The Dual Glass Ceiling	https://aurora.dawn.com/news/1145113
Tribal News Network	Federal Government Establishes National Cyber Crime Agency, Igniting Debate on Press Freedom	https://tnnenglish.com/federal-government-establishes-national-cyber-crime-agency-igniting-debate-on-press-freedom
Dawn	Confidential data leak to attract trial under Secrets Act	https://www.dawn.com/news/1833374/confidential-data-leak-to-attract-trial-under-secrets-act
GTV	Parenting In A Digital Age | What Are Kids Doing Online | G Utha Pakistan	https://youtu.be/OOK8Ohi3uM8?feature=shared

 

Events:

Nighat Dad at UNSG AI Advisory Board Meeting in Singapore

Nighat Dad recently attended the United Nations Secretary-General's AI Advisory Board meeting in Singapore. She emphasized the importance of AI governance, ethics, and human rights, advocating for inclusive development and protection of privacy and freedom of expression. Dad called for robust regulatory frameworks to prevent misuse and discrimination, particularly against marginalized communities, highlighting her commitment to global digital rights advocacy and her role in shaping policies that balance technological advancement with human rights.

 

Safeguarding Women Against Online Abuse & Cybercrime at Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University, Peshawar

DRF’s Legal Manager, Irum Shujah, and Digital Security Trainer, Noman Fareed, conducted a workshop at Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University, Peshawar, in collaboration with the US Consulate Peshawar. The interactive session included faculty members and students from various departments. The trainers discussed the importance of digital rights and online safety, taking questions from participants throughout the workshop.

 

The legal portion of the training covered topics such as the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016, the Workplace Harassment Act, and relevant sections of the Pakistan Penal Code. Meanwhile, the digital training provided insights into basic to advanced settings of chatting apps and other tools, commonly used in academia.

 

Meta Training on Communications Tools

DRF’s Communications Team attended a training by Meta that delved deep into how content works on Meta platforms and what is the best way to highlight your own content on said platforms.

 

Research as Resistance: Convening on People’s Research for Movement Building in Asia Pacific

DRF’s Research Associate, Maryam Ali Khan, attended a three-day convening from 21st to 23rd May. During this event, she participated in a panel on "Research, AI, and Digital Rights and Justice." The discussion explored research in the context of rising digitalization and Artificial Intelligence as both a tool and a site of research, and what this means for people’s research in our region. The convening was arranged by the Asia Pacific Forum for Women, Law and Development (APWLD) in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

The aim of the convening was to build a shared understanding of how we do research for movement building in our region and the contexts we navigate to do so, explore collectively the results and impacts of feminist and peoples' research in the region, and based on our collective conversations, identify areas for support, improvement and collaboration in the region. 

 

Justice Project Pakistan organized a Consultative Dialogue with Ms. Christine Chung (UN OHCHR) on 28 May 2024

On 28 May 2024, DRF’s Legal Associate participated in a consultative dialogue with Ms. Christine Chung (UN OHCHR) which was organized by Justice Project Pakistan in Lahore. The roundtable included policy experts, lawyers, human rights activists, and civil society members to discuss strategies for engaging with the United Nations (UN) in light of Pakistan's upcoming UN Treaty Body reviews. At the start of the consultation dialogue, the upcoming reviews including (i) Pakistan's review on compliance with the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD) in August 2024, (ii) Pakistan's review on compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) in October 2024, (iii) Pakistan's review on compliance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in January 2025, and (iv) Pakistan's review on compliance with the Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) later in 2025 were discussed. During the dialogue, stakeholders discussed issues related to human rights enforcement and the challenges faced in implementing international standards in Pakistan. The consultative dialogue was concluded with a hope to develop a strategy, involving submitting reports and letters to UN committees and special procedures, for improved and coordinated civil society engagement with the UN system at this critical juncture.

Digital Literacy session in government school under Hamara Internet Mahfooz Internet 

This month DRF held its last session in a government school in Lahore with their Digital Citizens program. 120 students (females only) and 5 teachers were informed about ways of staying safe in online spaces and reporting mechanisms in case of harassment or bullying. The participants were given gift bags with online safety resources and stationary.

 

DRF Updates: 

Cyber Harassment Helpline 

The Cyber Harassment Helpline received 398 complaints in total in May 2024, with 213 complaints by women. If you’re encountering a problem online, you can reach out to our 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.

 

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/