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.

 

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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

 

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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.

 

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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/

The Digital Rights Foundation (DRF) has released its seventh annual Cyber Harassment Helpline Report for 2023. The Helpline has completed seven years of operations since its launch in December 2016 and has received a total number of 16,849 complaints from across Pakistan. In 2023 alone a total of 2473 new complaints were received on the helpline with an average number of 206 new complaints received each month and February 2023 having the most complaints in the year.

 

Read the entire report here: https://digitalrightsfoundation.pk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/DRFs-Cyber-Harassment-Helpline-Report-2023.pdf

 

Press Coverage:

 

The Daily Spokesman	Digital Rights Foundation releases Cyber Harassment Helpline report for 2023	https://dailyspokesman.net/live/digital-rights-foundation-releases-cyber-harassment-helpline-report-for-2023/
The Public Purview	DRF released seventh annual Cyber Harassment Helpline Report	https://thepublicpurview.com.pk/drf-released-seventh-annual-cyber-harassment-helpline-report/
The Reporters	DRF Cyber Harassment Helpline Report: Rise in Online Violence	https://thereporters.pk/drf-cyber-harassment-helpline-report-rise-in-online-violence/
Dawn	Report notes use of AI for violence against women	https://www.dawn.com/news/1825745/report-notes-use-of-ai-for-violence-against-women
The News	Women largest victims of online harassment: DRF	https://e.thenews.com.pk/detail?id=295991
The Friday Times	AI Among Technologies Increasingly Used To Harass Women Online In Pakistan	https://thefridaytimes.com/05-Apr-2024/ai-among-technologies-increasingly-used-to-harass-women-online-in-pakistan
Voice.pk	Average of 206 harassment complaints each month: DRF Helpline Report ’23	https://voicepk.net/2024/04/average-of-206-harassment-complaints-each-month-drf-helpline-report-23/
Daily Dunya		https://e.dunya.com.pk/detail.php?date=2024-04-06&edition=ISL&id=7190671_44683559
Times of Karachi	DRF report highlights alarming rate of online harassment against women in Pakistan	https://timesofkarachi.pk/article/drf-report-highlights-alarming-rate-of-online-harassment-against-women-in-pakistan/3189
India Blooms	Pakistan witnessing surge in cases related to AI use in violence against women	https://www.indiablooms.com/world-details/SA/42247/pakistan-witnessing-surge-in-cases-related-to-ai-use-in-violence-against-women.html

 

Policy Initiatives: 

Digital Rights Foundation releases its annual report

This comprehensive annual report highlights DRF's efforts during the transformative year of 2023, highlighting the organization's significant milestones and notable accomplishments. At the heart of DRF's mission is an unwavering dedication to creating online spaces that are not only safer, but also more inclusive and accessible to all. This report exemplifies our core values by demonstrating the diligence and dedication we bring to our mission year after year, resulting in a tangible difference.

 

Read the entire report here:

https://digitalrightsfoundation.pk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/DRF-Annual-Report-2023.pdf

 

Digital Rights Foundation Public Comment On Oversight Board Case 2023-038-Fb-Mr (Pakistani Parliament Speech)

In May 2023, a video was posted on Facebook by a news channel where a Pakistani politician was addressing the parliament and made comments that suggested that some public officials, including military personnel, needed to be hanged in order for the country to ‘heal itself.’ This was achieved by drawing parallels between the contemporary Pakistani political landscape and the perceived necessity for these executions with an ancient Egyptian ritual where individuals were sacrificed in the River Nile as a means of controlling flooding. Considering this, DRF submitted a comment stating that Meta should have taken down the video from Facebook in accordance with its Violence and Incitement Policy. 

 

However, after review the Oversight Board upheld Meta’s decision to leave up the content. The Board found that the post does not violate the Violence and Incitement Community Standard because it was shared by a media outlet seeking to inform others and therefore falls under the exception for “awareness raising.” The full decision can be read here. 

 

Girls in ICT Day 2024

On this Girls in ICT Day 2024, DRF held a session in the GGHS Model APS Model Town Lahore public school to emphasize the importance of developing leadership skills among young women in the field of ICT, as well as the importance of online safety and digital literacy.

 

Watch the entire coverage here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6Ls5mHr3Eg/?igsh=cHY4Ymlqd3MwNHli

 

Press Coverage: 

 

Rolling Stone	Fake Photos, Real Harm: AOC and the Fight Against AI Porn	https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/aoc-deepfake-ai-porn-personal-experience-defiance-act-1234998491/
Compiler	Harm Reduction	https://www.compiler.news/harm-reduction/
The Friday Times	Pakistan's Misogynistic Lord Of The Flies	https://thefridaytimes.com/07-Apr-2024/pakistan-s-misogynistic-lord-of-the-flies
The Express Tribune	Harassment via AI	https://tribune.com.pk/story/2462141/harassment-via-ai
Dawn	‘Women more prone to online hate speech’	https://www.dawn.com/news/1830295/women-more-prone-to-online-hate-speech
The Express Tribune	Parliament, judiciary urged to protect rights	https://tribune.com.pk/story/2464402/parliament-judiciary-urged-to-protect-rights
IFEX	Journalists who ‘crossed the line’, digital repression, blasphemy prosecutions, and marriage equality bill	https://ifex.org/journalists-who-crossed-the-line-digital-repression-blasphemy-prosecutions-and-marriage-equality-bill/
The Current	Asma Jahangir Conference receives flak for expelling pro-Palestinian protestors	https://thecurrent.pk/asma-jahangir-conference-receives-flak-for-expelling-pro-palestinian-protestors/

 

Events:

Nighat Dad at Skoll World Forum

Nighat Dad was part of the panel at Skoll World Forum titled “Reclaiming Truth in the Age of Information Disorder''. She discussed the crucial role of credible and truthful information in sustaining democracy. She highlighted the challenges posed by emerging technologies, such as fake news and deep fakes, which complicate the identification of truth. Dad emphasizes the growing crisis of distrust in institutions and information, which is particularly critical during elections and highlighted DRF’s work such as our Cyber Harassment Helpline that helps mitigate such a crisis. 

The session also explored potential solutions to counter misinformation and restore trust in democratic processes.

 

Watch the entire panel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UAWPAn3Kpw&t=3s

 

Nighat Dad at the IFEX Convening 

Nighat Dad, Executive Director of the Digital Rights Foundation, attended the first in-person IFEX network convening since the COVID-19 pandemic in April. This significant event, held in Berlin, provided a rare and invaluable opportunity for over 100 member organizations from more than 70 countries to come together and deepen their collaborative efforts in defending freedom of expression and information. The gathering prioritized authentic, unstructured interactions over formal presentations, fostering vibrant corridor conversations and genuine engagement. This approach was aimed at strengthening connections and collective power, underlined by a set of newly adopted principles of collaboration.

Nighat Dad at Asma Jahangir Conference 2024 (AJCONF 2024)

DRF's Executive Director Nighat Dad talked as a panelist on the panel discussion titled “Online Hate Speech & Disinformation” at the 5th Asma Jahangir Conference held on 28 April 2024 in Lahore. The panel focused on relevant laws and regulations in Pakistan governing online hate speech and disinformation. Additionally, the discussion revolved around how social media companies enforce human rights standards, particularly concerning vulnerable communities and sexual/gender minorities. The ongoing litigation under unconstitutional laws (e.g., section 20 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 and 124-A sedition of the Pakistan Penal Code 1860) was also discussed. 

 

At the end of the panel discussion, there was a call for capacity-building training for government and law enforcement personnel to improve investigation methods and evidence handling, and also an appeal for state efforts to regulate social media while safeguarding human rights by considering decriminalization of speech in general. Furthermore, the discussion highlighted the need to maintain a check on the adverse effects of social media platforms blocking free speech, financial independence, and foreign investments in Pakistan.

 

Listen to the full panel here: https://youtu.be/aMAdkriDHgw?feature=shared

 

WISE Session on Digital Inclusion: Empowering Women & Communities

DRF’s legal team attended a session hosted by WISE (Women in Struggle For Empowerment) focusing on Digital Inclusion: Empowering Women & Communities, held on April 4th, 2024 in Lahore. During the session, team members shared invaluable insights regarding the FIA Complaint Mechanism, covering reporting procedures, the support offered to victims via the DRF helpline, and the pivotal role of legal frameworks in combating online harassment or abuse. Throughout the session, our team explored the crucial role of legal frameworks in tackling online harassment or abuse, delving into challenges across physical and online spaces, and reflecting on pertinent legislation such as the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 (‘PECA’). 

 

Digital Citizen Program in Government Schools

After the Ramadan break and final exams, DRF held two sessions in government high schools in Lahore. 357 students (females and males) and 9 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 306 complaints in total in April 2024, with 148 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/

 

Digital Rights Foundation participated in Seoul for the 3rd Summit For Democracy  to bring Pakistan's perspective from the recent elections. The primary focus was on fostering democracy for future generations. Around 300 delegates including government officials, representatives from international organizations, academia, and civil society, gathered in Korea to discuss policy enhancements and strategic pathways to shape a better future for future generations.

In S4D3’s session 'Upholding Information Integrity Online to Reinforce Democracy and Human Rights' in Seoul, DRF's Senior Project Manager Hyra Basit, spoke about how Pakistan's 2024 General Elections highlighted the dark side of online discourse. DRF’s social media monitoring and intensive research during the election period were also highlighted. 

 

Policy Initiatives: 

International Women’s Day 2024

DRF’s team shared heartfelt stories about the remarkable women who have inspired them in celebration of International Women's Day 2024

             

In celebration of International Women’s Day, Privacy International sparked a meaningful dialogue that resonated deeply with us. They highlighted the remarkable women who are leading the charge in safeguarding privacy rights and fostering a more just world.

As part of this conversation, they asked the DRF team to share our reflections on the significance of privacy for women. It was an opportunity for us to explore and celebrate the unique perspectives and contributions of women in this vital field. Our comments are below: 

Maya Ki Kahani | 16 Days of Activism

DRF launched an animated video telling the story of Maya. Maya is a trans woman who works in a department store to make a living. Maya is constantly harassed at work because customers take her photos and videos without her consent. Maya's images are then used to mock her online and spread around the internet. Why is Maya being ridiculed online for simply doing her job? Is Maya being attacked online because of her identity? Does the law protect Maya from this type of abuse?

 

You can watch the entire video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_i3VlCwgeq4

 

In the video, we aimed to educate the audience about important sections of the Prevention of Electronics Crimes Act (PECA) 2016 relating to Section 24 on taking pictures and videos without the consent of a natural person. The video also had information about section 20 of PECA around the dignity of a natural person and sharing content on social media containing false information and violating the privacy of a user.

 

DRF’s Cyber Harassment Helpline Guide

Have you or someone you know experienced any of the following?

 

• Your personal or private picture was uploaded online without your consent
• Your face was edited onto an inappropriate image
• Your information, such as your picture, phone number, or home address, was shared online to harass you
• A fake profile was created using your identity
• Your Facebook, Instagram, or WhatsApp account was hacked

 

If your answer is yes, and you're in need of assistance, please contact the Cyber Harassment Helpline at 0800-39393, and find out how we can help you.

 

DRF’s WhatsApp Disinformation Tipline

During election days, memes, videos, posts, and messages circulate widely on social media. Mithu is conducting research and he needs your help. If you come across any content spreading false or misleading information, especially regarding female or transgender politicians, please share it with Mithu via WhatsApp.

 

To send a message, click on the WhatsApp button on our Instagram and Facebook profiles or go to this link: https://wa.me/923013249539

Alternatively, you can directly send a WhatsApp message to this number: 

0301 3249539

 

How to use ‘Ab Aur Nahin’

We launched a tutorial on how to use ‘Ab Aur Nahin’, DRF’s confidential legal and counselor support service specifically designed for survivors of harassment. You can easily access legal counsel and support tailored to your area through this user-friendly platform. 

Click, connect, and take charge of your rights today. You are not alone, and you do not need to fight alone!

 

You can access the website here: https://abaurnahin.pk/

 

Press Coverage: 

Nighat Dad on X shutdown on Geo News

DRF’s Executive Director Nighat Dad spoke with Geo News about the X shutdown in Pakistan. Nighat emphasized the importance of transparency in these actions, in accordance with international standards. And our local laws should address online disinformation and defamation without jeopardizing free speech. She went on to say that we need to work on improving existing laws as well as addressing the misuse of Generative AI right away.

 

Watch the entire interview here: https://web.facebook.com/watch/?v=302457409528246

 

A session with Suno FM Radio 89.4-96 ( Aao Bat Krain ) 

Anmol Sajjad delivered a virtual session on online harassment on 6th March 2024, with Suno FM Radio 89.4-96 with Bushra Iqbal. The session focused on online harassment in the digital era, and I also covered its legal aspects. It was focused on online harassment, its common forms, and its impact on physiological and social life. The prevention of online harassment and digital security was also discussed during the session. 

 

Watch the entire interview here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/WQgDhT53gFvENRsG/?mibextid=qi2Omg

 

Nighat Dad speaks about the Resolution to Ban Social Media | Bol News

DRF's Executive Director, Nighat Dad spoke with Bol TV about the resolution in the Senate to ban social media in Pakistan. She expressed her frustration with this way of thinking and how these actions damage Pakistan's image on the international stage. She went on to say that a blanket ban on social media or even internet shutdowns will not stop online disinformation; instead, we must identify the root of the problem and address it structurally, as well as reform our society's thinking that allows people to cause harm through online platforms.

 

Watch the entire interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2lmFfcTDgA

 

DRF in Press

 

Independent Urdu	پاکستان میں سوشل میڈیا پر پابندی کی قرارداد ’آئین کا مذاق‘	https://www.independenturdu.com/node/162076
Dawn	Amid X outage, ban sought on all social media	https://www.dawn.com/news/1818607
Deccan Herald	Pakistan Senate to take up resolution seeking permanent ban on social media sites	https://www.deccanherald.com/world/pakistan-senate-to-take-up-resolution-seeking-permanent-ban-on-social-media-sites-2919832
Pi News	Senator calls for total ban on social media sites in Pakistan	https://proiqra.com/senator-calls-for-total-ban-on-social-media-sites-in-pakistan-pi-news/
The Nation	Digital Regression	https://www.nation.com.pk/04-Mar-2024/digital-regression
DND	Civil Society voices concern on continued internet shutdowns & social media platform blocking in Pakistan	https://dnd.com.pk/civil-society-voices-concern-on-continued-internet-shutdowns-social-media-platform-blocking-in-pakistan/312574
Arab News	28 civil society organizations demand immediate restoration of X in Pakistan	https://www.arabnews.pk/node/2478066/pakistan
Context	Pakistan's WhatsApp death sentence case spotlights blasphemy law	https://www.context.news/digital-rights/pakistans-whatsapp-death-sentence-case-spotlights-blasphemy-law
Index on Censorship	The journalists being threatened with artificial intelligence	https://www.indexoncensorship.org/2024/03/the-journalists-being-threatened-with-artificial-intelligence/
Asia Network News	X already banned when new government took over: Pakistan’s Information Minister	https://asianews.network/x-already-banned-when-new-government-took-over-pakistans-information-minister/
Cryptopolitan	Is AI Cyber Harassment Endangering Press Freedom in Pakistan?	https://www.cryptopolitan.com/ai-cyber-harassment-press-freedom-pakistan/
Soch Fact Check	Ataullah Tarar falsely claims X is not blocked in Pakistan	https://www.sochfactcheck.com/ataullah-tarar-falsely-claims-x-is-not-blocked-in-pakistan/
Geo News	Meta asked to end blanket ban of word 'shaheed'	https://www.geo.tv/latest/536718-meta-asked-to-end-blanket-ban-of-word-shaheed
Global Village Space	Meta's oversight board advises to lift ban on the word shaheed	https://www.globalvillagespace.com/metas-oversight-board-advises-to-lift-ban-on-the-word-shaheed/
Pakistan Today	Meta’s content moderation board advises company to loosen restrictions on word ‘shaheed’	https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2024/03/27/meta-board-responsible-for-content-moderation-advises-company-to-loosen-restrictions-on-word-shaheed/
Al Jazeera	Meta’s oversight board urges Facebook, Instagram to lift ban on ‘shaheed’	https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/3/30/metas-oversight-board-urges-review-of-shaheed-censorship-policy

 

Events:

Synthetic Elections: are we prepared for generative AI in 2024? 

Organized by Demos and the UCL Digital Speech Lab, the event provided valuable perspectives on safeguarding democratic integrity amidst technological advancements. Nighat Dad shared her insights on navigating Generative AI in election cycles. The discussion centered around the impact of Generative AI, which has rapidly become a global concern. Policymakers, industry leaders, and the public convened to address the challenges posed by its exponential growth. Notable examples, such as AI-generated political audio and chatbot misinformation during elections, highlighted the urgency of the issue. She cautioned against overreacting to AI developments, emphasizing the need for balanced responses. 

 

Watch the entire discussion here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inaiJ6SJD08

 

Nighat Dad on a panel at HRC55 of UNHRC 

At #HRC55 of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Nighat Dad spoke on a panel ‘A Guiding Compass for the Global Digital Compact’ and she highlighted how human rights should be addressed in the framework of the Global Digital Compact. The Global Digital Compact is an initiative proposed in the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres's Common Agenda. 

 

Read more here: https://www.un.org/techenvoy/

 

South and Southeast Asia Regional Stakeholders Forum on Cyber Sexual and Gender-Based Violence 

DRF also participated in the conference held by the Caught in the Web entitled ‘South and Southeast Asia Regional Stakeholders Forum on Cyber Sexual and Gender-Based Violence’ held in Colombo, Sri Lanka. During this, DRF’s Legal Manager, Irum Shujah, spoke in an “ Understanding the Perspective and Prospects of the Legal Sector” session and provided a Pakistani perspective to the participants. Overall Focus during the sessions was on sharing experiences, tools, lessons learned, and challenges of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) engaged in addressing Cyber Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (CSGBV) and Online Gender-Based Harassment (OGHS) in South Asian countries, with a focus on discussing and disseminating these insights to facilitate learning and integration within their respective countries and across the region.

 

DRF at Global Partnership for Action on Gender-Based Online Harassment and Abuse’s Conference in Kenya

         

DRF also participated in the conference held by the Global Partnership entitled ‘Preventing and disrupting the spread of gendered disinformation in the context of electoral processes and democratic rollback’ held in Nairobi, Kenya. DRF’s participation provided the perspective on gendered disinformation used to target vulnerable identities including journalists, and the use of AI, the abuse of which was heightened during the recent elections, and what DRF is doing to counter such threats to safe online spaces and democratic processes. 

 

Legal Clinic (Live on Instagram)

DRF conducted a live legal clinic on Instagram, creating an interactive space for public engagement. Both the Legal team and Helpline team participated and addressed the queries shared by the audience through comments. The clinic primarily focused on the nature of cases received by the Helpline Team at DRF and the subsequent process of DRF’s legal team processing these cases. The live clinic catered to questions asked by the audience, ranging from ideas about handling evidence to a discussion about the form of online harassment faced by the public at large.

 

Digital Literacy sessions in schools

This month DRF held four schools in Lahore with their Digital Citizens program. 735 students (females and males) and 44 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.

 

A Session with Inspiring Women Pakistan 

DRF delivered a virtual session on 31st March 2024. The session focused on online harassment in the digital era, and we covered its legal aspects as well. There were a total of 30 participants in the session; 15 girls were from Pakistan, and 15 were from South America. We focused on online harassment, its common forms, and its impact on physiological and social life. The prevention of online harassment and digital security was also discussed during the session. 

 

A workshop on Perpetrator Data and Evaluating OGBV Tools

DRF attended an online session organized by the World Wide Web, focusing on Perpetrator Data and Evaluating OGBV Tools. The workshop centered on assessing the effectiveness of the emerging research roadmap in real-world scenarios and gathering feedback for refinement. 

 

International Conference on Transformative Potential of Generative Artificial Intelligence, Law and Legal Education

Minahil Farooq from DRF’s Legal team participated in a two-day International Conference on the Transformative Potential of Generative Artificial Intelligence, organized by the University of Central Punjab. The sessions delve into valuable insights at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Legal education. The conference's objective was to explore strategies for integrating AI into legal education, providing a comprehensive understanding of its transformative potential. 

 

Webinar on Navigating Gender Rights in the Judiciary in the Era of Artificial Intelligence
On 14 March 2024, DRF attended a webinar titled “Breaking Barriers: Navigating Gender Rights in the Judiciary in the Era of Artificial Intelligence” organized by National Law University Delhi, co hosted it with UNESCO and Lawyer's Hub on Artificial Intelligence in the Judiciary. In light of the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI), this webinar included a panel discussion consisting of a retired senior judge, a policy analyst, and stakeholders from civil society. The webinar started with a discussion on the scope of AI, its role, and its implications within judicial systems. The discussion led to the European Ethical Charter for AI, highlighting its five core principles emphasizing respect for fundamental rights, non-discrimination, quality and security, transparency, impartiality, fairness, and user control. Insight was also provided about the inherent risks of AI-generated outcomes, particularly considering the situations when algorithms do not have adequate training, potentially leading to severe human rights violations. During the webinar, recommendations were also outlined, stressing the recognition of human biases in AI tools, understanding tool development purposes, maintaining system testing and feedback mechanisms, and promotion of awareness through training. 

 

DRF Updates: 

Cyber Harassment Helpline 

The Cyber Harassment Helpline received 317 complaints in total in March 2024. 50 of these complaints were about NCUI, or Non Consensual Use of Information, which may include images, name, phone number etc. Our helpline prioritizes helping women and transgender individuals. 

 

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/

Nighat Dad shared her insights at the Munich Security Conference (MSC) alongside Google CEO Sundar Pichai and former President of Estonia Kersti Kaljulaid, moderated by Ian Bremmer, delving into the crucial intersection of geopolitics, AI, and electoral integrity.

She highlighted AI's broader societal impact, including inclusivity and human rights, beyond mere technology. While Western regulations are crucial, they may not address global challenges adequately. The Global South's voice gained recognition through the UN's High-Level Panel on AI. Nighat urged platforms to increase resources for human rights and transparency. Empowering researchers and reassessing governance are essential for fair AI. She emphasized integrating human rights into AI security discussions and promoting transparency. Finally, she called for civil society involvement and anchored regulations in human rights for effective AI ethics.

Policy Initiatives:

DRF Election Desk

Digital Rights Foundation launched its Election Desk. It is a mapping project to document instances of network shutdowns and infringements on free speech via the targeted closure of specific social media sites and access to the internet overall. It consolidated all the latest resources and showcased the legal analysis of different parties’ manifestos in relation to digital rights. This endeavor seeks to uphold democratic values and ensure a transparent and open dialogue during such critical events.

For more: https://election2024.digitalrightsfoundation.pk/

Legal Framework for Financing Election Campaigns in Pakistan

In Pakistan, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is responsible for overseeing election processes, including campaign financing. The legal framework for campaign financing is primarily governed by the Election Act of 2017. This Act sets limits on election campaign expenditures by candidates. It requires candidates to keep detailed accounts of their campaign expenses and submit these accounts to the ECP.

Important note: Section 132 does not explicitly differentiate between offline and online election activities, and the provision can be broadly interpreted to cover both offline and online campaign financing.

Accountability around Political Ads on social media platforms of Pakistani Political Actors leading to elections

The regulation of online and social media campaign financing is a relatively new and evolving area. While entities like Meta have implemented their own policies for political advertising, including background checks and transparency requirements in various countries, the ECP's policies do not explicitly address the specifics of online campaign financing or the regulation of political ads on social media networks.

Meta has made their ad library public and you can view the spending for political ads on DRF’s Election Desk website: https://election2024.digitalrightsfoundation.pk/meta-political-ads-list/

What to do on polling day?

DRF Election Desk brought people a guideline on what to do on election day - especially for first time voters the day before Pakistan’s General Elections.

1. Check your polling station
2. Go early
3. Bring your original CNIC
4. Main order and queue

 

 

Difference between our Cyber Harassment Helpline and WhatsApp Disinformation Tipline

DRF’s Network of Women Journalists for Digital Rights (NWJDR) condemned the use of TFGBV and Gen AI to attack and silence women journalists

More than 60 journalists signed Network of Women Journalists for Digital Rights (NWDJR)'s statement condemning the use of technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) and Generative AI to attack and silence women journalists.

Read the full statement here: https://digitalrightsfoundation.pk/nwjdr-condemns-the-use-of-technology-facilitated-gender-based-violence-tfgbv-and-generative-ai-to-attack-and-silence-women-journalists/

WhatsApp Hacking Awareness Video

DRF has observed a spike in WhatsApp accounts getting hacked.  We shared an instructional video on how to avoid it.

You can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUgEpJfX8oU

Press Coverage:

How the Digital Rights Foundation Fights for Privacy and Better Internet Governance

Nighat Dad talked to XMTP and her insights offered an essential perspective on the role open and decentralized protocols play in countering the prevalent centralized models of data collection and ownership.

Read more: https://blog.xmtp.com/digital-rights-foundation/

Important Analysis of Nighat Dad on Legality of the Decision in Iddat Case

Nighat Dad spoke to Dawn News as a member of WAF (Women Action Forum) about the Iddat case and provided critical legal analysis.

More here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrRD7weX9oE

Nighat spoke to DW Urdu about Pakistan’s General Elections and Internet shutdown

Nighat Dad spoke to DW Urdu and talked about how the use of the internet is also done to obtain information, so the shutdown of mobile and internet services on the day of general elections in Pakistan is a violation of the democratic and fundamental rights of citizens.

Watch here: https://x.com/dw_urdu/status/1758892312850001938?s=20

In this opinion piece, Nighat Dad discusses the prevalence of internet shutdowns during election cycles in Pakistan, highlighting their detrimental impact on society and the economy. She emphasizes how shutdowns hinder access to crucial information, disrupt economic activities, and impede democratic processes. Additionally, Nighat argues that internet shutdowns exacerbate tensions, restrict freedom of expression, and undermine trust in the democratic system. She calls for the government to refrain from shutting down the internet during elections, stressing the importance of maintaining an open and free internet for democratic participation and accountability.

More here:

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1155503-the-net-must-go-on
https://www.geo.tv/latest/530386-the-net-must-go-on

Digital Campaigns

DRF’s Executive Director, Nighat Dad, penned an opinion piece where she talks about the lack of regulation and oversight by Election Commission of Pakistan on online political advertising.

Read here: https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1155205-digital-campaigns

Data Privacy: Elections and Beyond

Zainab Durrani discusses the impact of technology on Pakistan's 2024 elections, highlighting concerns about deepfake disinformation and the use of voter data. She points out the lack of a national data protection framework, raising questions about the source and misuse of voter contact information. Durrani emphasizes the vulnerability of citizen data held by entities like NADRA and telecom providers, with documented breaches compromising privacy. She calls for amendments to proposed data protection laws and stresses the need for accountability in political campaigning practices. Additionally, she criticizes outdated election laws for failing to address digital campaigning methods, underscoring the importance of protecting privacy in democratic governance.

Read here: https://thefridaytimes.com/08-Feb-2024/data-privacy-elections-and-beyond

DRF in the Press

The Friday Times	Pakistan's Network Of Women Journalists For Digital Rights Demand Accountability And Support For Domestic	https://thefridaytimes.com/01-Feb-2024/pakistan-s-network-of-women-journalists-for-digital-rights-demand-accountability-and-support-for-domestic-violence-victims
Medium	Chapter I — How to prevent sexting abuse on WhatsApp in Pakistan?	https://medium.com/digital-narratives/chapter-i-how-to-prevent-sexting-abuse-on-whatsapp-in-pakistan-76c8c3360d18
Deccan Herald	Feminists, women lawyers lash out at Pakistan judge for hurting woman's dignity in marriage case verdict	https://www.deccanherald.com/world/feminists-women-lawyers-lash-out-at-pakistan-judge-for-hurting-womans-dignity-in-marriage-case-verdict-2879037
Ifex	What’s new and old in 2024: Repressive laws, attacks, and election disinformation in Asia	https://ifex.org/whats-new-and-old-in-2024-repressive-laws-attacks-and-election-disinformation-in-asia/
The Current	The ever-looming threat of disinformation in Pakistan	https://thecurrent.pk/the-ever-looming-threat-of-disinformation-in-pakistan/
France24	Pakistan suspends mobile service for election day	https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20240208-pakistan-suspends-mobile-service-for-election-day
Samaa TV	HRCP demands immediate restoration of internet, mobile services across country	https://www.samaa.tv/208739477-hrcp-demands-immediate-restoration-of-internet-mobile-services-across-country
Barron's	Pakistan Counts Ballots With Khan In Jail, Vote Marred By Mobile Outage	https://www.barrons.com/news/pakistan-counts-ballots-with-khan-in-jail-vote-marred-by-mobile-outage-bf732a4f
Voice.pk	NWJDR Condemns Online Attacks On Women Journalists In Pakistan	https://voicepk.net/2024/02/nwjdr-condemns-online-attacks-on-women-journalists-in-pakistan/
The Friday Times	Technology-facilitated Gender-based Violence And Generative AI Used To Abuse Women Journalists	https://thefridaytimes.com/13-Feb-2024/technology-facilitated-gender-based-violence-and-generative-ai-used-to-abuse-women-journalists
Dawn	Online attacks on women journalists condemned	https://www.dawn.com/news/1814045
IFEX	Pakistan Press Foundation condemns smear campaign against journalists in post-election turmoil	https://ifex.org/pakistan-press-foundation-condemns-smear-campaign-against-journalists-in-post-election-turmoil/
ERR	Kaljulaid in Munich: EU's AI legal act best for global governance, minus fines	https://news.err.ee/1609256442/kaljulaid-in-munich-eu-s-ai-legal-act-best-for-global-governance-minus-fines
Voice.pk	Speculation Abounds As X Suspension In Pakistan Enters Third Day	https://voicepk.net/2024/02/speculation-abounds-as-x-suspension-in-pakistan-enters-third-day/
Dawn	X faces disruption for third consecutive day	https://www.dawn.com/news/1815628/x-faces-disruption-for-third-consecutive-day
Express Tribune	X becomes govt's first target	https://tribune.com.pk/story/2457017/x-becomes-govts-first-target
Global Village Space	X faces a nationwide shutdown amid political turmoil - Global Village Space	https://www.globalvillagespace.com/x-faces-a-nationwide-shutdown-amid-political-turmoil/
The News International	X access restricted in Pakistan for seventh day	https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1161174-x-access-restricted-in-pakistan-for-seventh-day
The News International	X shutdown enters 7th day in Pakistan	https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1161365-x-shutdown-enters-7th-day-in-pakistan
Geo News	X shutdown enters 8th day in Pakistan with VPN services also restricted	https://www.geo.tv/latest/532447-x-shutdown-enters-7th-day-in-pakistan-with-vpn-services-also-restricted
Times of India	Social media platform 'X' shutdown continues for eighth day ..	https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/social-media-platform-x-shutdown-continues-for-eighth-day-in-pakistan/articleshow/107983076.cms
Arab News	Rights activists say free speech ‘critically under threat’ in Pakistan as X disruption enters eighth day	https://www.arabnews.com/node/2466301/amp
Bolly Inside	Social Media Platform X Shutdown Continues for Eighth Day in Pakistan, Users Face Blackout	https://www.bollyinside.com/news/world-news/social-media-platform-x-shutdown-continues-for-eighth-day-in-pakistan-users-face-blackout/
ANI	Pakistan: Social media platform 'X' shutdown continues for eighth day	https://www.aninews.in/news/world/asia/pakistan-social-media-platform-x-shutdown-continues-for-eighth-day20240225131731/
Voice.pk	Civil Society Condemns Ichhra Incident	https://voicepk.net/2024/02/civil-society-condemns-ichhra-incident/
KTN News HD	Violence in the Digital World | Insight with Najia Mir	https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=ZXJWXcFpZDIuHqCr&v=sbqe57fGqqA&feature=youtu.be

Events:

Global Symposium Technology Facilitated Gender Based Violence

DRF actively participated in this year’s virtual Global Symposium hosted by the UNFPA. On Day 1, Nighat Dad set the scene during Panel 1.1 ‘Now and the Future’, where she spoke about the regulatory gaps and challenges in addressing the intersection of artificial intelligence and online abuse, the lack of effective legal responses to the rise in the TFGBV, and the role that social media and tech platforms need to play in combating TFGBV. On Day 2, Hyra Basit was on the panel entitled ‘Responding to TFGBV’ where she highlighted the Cyber Harassment’s journey, its successes, and challenges.

Watch the entire panel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6oLod78fTc

Striking the Right Balance: Moderating Online Content During 2024 Elections

The session explored important topics like misinformation, foreign interference, targeted advertising, and the role of algorithms in shaping user attitudes and behaviors. Nighat shared her insight about how with social media's influence on public opinion and elections worldwide, it is crucial to understand how to effectively manage these platforms for fairness and transparency in electoral processes.

Nighat Dad speaking at MobilinkHer Event

DRF’s Executive Director, Nighat Dad, shared her thoughts on #MobilinkHER - during Mobilink Bank's flagship women returnship program launch. She talked about the importance of creating a supportive & inclusive work environment that enables women to foster holistic economic development and bolster Pakistan’s economy.

APAC regional conversation and consultation

DRF briefed the Global Coalition for Tech Justice partners regarding the elections held on 8th February and around the findings of DRF’s election desk cell on the 21st of February. The consultation was DRF’s attempt to share best practices with partners around monitoring content on platforms in this election year of 2024.

Navigating Online Harms and Gendered Disinformation in Pakistan

DRF conducted a session at LUMS with the Saida Waheed Gender Initiative (SWGI) on  Navigating Online Harms and Gendered Disinformation in Pakistan. The session was facilitated by Seerat Khan and Danish Umar. DRF’s team went over the proliferation of gendered disinformation and how it contributes to the exacerbation of gender-based violence. The team also shared ways in which students can protect themselves online. and spot generative AI content.

 

Source Verification and Fact-checking workshop for Journalists during Elections held in Islamabad

DRF conducted a session on source verification and fact-checking in Islamabad with Meta's support, keeping in mind the upcoming general elections. The one day workshop addressed the emergence of disinformation and misinformation during elections and how to tackle and report dis/misinformation during this time and was attended by 31 journalists from Islamabad and adjacent areas.

Digital Literacy sessions in schools

This month DRF held four schools in Lahore with their Digital Citizens program. 735 students (females and males) and 44 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.

Session:  Introducing all feminist Helplines

Anmol and Hyra participated in an online session on 29 Feb 2024, focused on introducing all the feminist helplines within their community. The session provided a platform for various helplines to present their work, emphasizing their roles in addressing gender-based violence. We have discussed and delved into the specifics of how helplines operate, including the processes involved in providing support and assistance to individuals facing gender-based violence. The session aimed to foster collaboration and mutual understanding among the different helplines, ultimately enhancing their collective efforts in combating gender-based violence within the community.

DRF Updates:

Cyber Harassment Helpline

The Cyber Harassment Helpline received 236, with 118 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/

 

Digital Rights Foundation launched its Election Desk. You can follow the initiative on social media through #DRFElectionDesk. And on our website - https://election2024.digitalrightsfoundation.pk/

Policy Initiatives: 

DRF Election Desk

6 Point Agenda on Digital Rights Protections For Political Parties’ Electoral Manifestos

DRF's Election Desk has identified six key digital rights issues, and we urge political parties to include them in their manifestos due to the inextricable connection between online and offline spaces. 

Read the entire agenda here: https://t.co/vbpw5ednQo

 

6-Point Agenda on Media Freedom And Journalist Safety For Political Parties’ Electoral Manifestos

More than 100 journalists and members of civil society signed the Network of Women Journalists for Digital Rights'  6-Point Agenda on Media Freedom And Journalist Safety For Political Parties’ Electoral Manifestos.

 

Read the entire agenda here: https://election2024.digitalrightsfoundation.pk/2024/01/23/pakistan-6-point-agenda-on-media-freedom-and-journalist-safety-for-political-parties-electoral-manifestos/

 

Spotting Generative Content

1. Unnecessary details: Extra fingers and warped backdrops.
2. Repetitive imagery: Keep an eye on skin, clothing, or items.
3. Disruptive lighting: Physics-defying highlights and shadows!
4. Background error: Look for smooth or distorted backdrops!
5. Unusual objects: Search for colors spilling over lines or floating hair!
6. Reflections and Transparency: AI may alter reality in reflective materials!
7. Facial features and movements: Distorted features? AI could be at play!
8. Text errors: Typos, incorrect fonts, or formatting issues? Artificial intelligence could be the culprit!
9. Lack of Analysis: Short sentences, repeated words, and meaningless content - classic AI giveaways!

 

WhatsApp Disinformation Tipline

If you come across misleading content online, please contact Mithu via our WhatsApp Disinformation Tip Line at +9203013249539.

 

Statement by Network of Women Journalists for Digital Rights (NWJDR) - Demanding Accountability, Transparency, and Support for Domestic Violence survivors/victims in the Media Industry

83 journalists, including male journalists, signed Network of Women Journalists for Digital Rights’ statement raising their voices against domestic violence, condemning the alleged case of domestic violence committed by a TV anchor, and demanding the state take measures to address this menace. 

 

Read the full statement here: https://www.instagram.com/p/C2w_qYOi971/?igsh=MXhwYjZ4OHRmcnF0bQ==

 

Hamara Internet Mahfooz Internet - Digital Citizenship Program

DRF’s 'Hamara Internet Mehfooz Internet' project brought a wave of digital literacy & safety to Lahore's public schools by the end of 2023.

 

Training 1417 students, 138 teachers, and 31 digital rights youth ambassadors, this initiative is about building a safer digital world for our youth.

 

https://x.com/DigitalRightsPK/status/1744688973547733035?s=20

 

Data Privacy Day 2024

Digital Rights Foundation conducted research on 'Data Privacy in Pakistan's Healthcare Sector'. And on this #DataPrivacyDay2024, it is critical to highlight the research available to us to work on data privacy in Pakistan and it is time to #TakeControlofYourData.

 

Cyber Harassment Helpline Awareness

Press Coverage: 

Nighat speaking to Wilton Park, Executive Agency of Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office UK

Speaking at Wilton Park’s  event on human rights and new & emerging technology,  DRF’s Executive Director, Nighat Dad reflected on the need to safeguard human rights in tech development & design.

 

Nighat Dad on Bol News Network

Executive Director of DRF, Nighat Dad, spoke with Bol News about the challenges of combating disinformation in the era of AI and Generative AI. She says we're not prepared to deal with disinformation in this manner.

https://x.com/DigitalRightsPK/status/1749711280158683569?s=20

 

The deepfake elections are here | Context

DRF’s Executive Director, Nighat Dad, wrote an opinion piece for  Context: "The harsh truth is that deep fakes and synthetic media can indeed influence the mindset of voters, and eventually affect the results of elections." 

https://www.context.news/ai/opinion/the-deepfake-elections-are-here?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=context-newsroom

 

Nighat Dad on PTV News 

Nighat Dad, DRF’s Executive Director, went on PTV News to talk about Pakistan’s General Election 2024 and the rampant disinformation online. She explained the meaning of fake news, deep fake & AI generated disinformation that will impact General Election 2024 in Pakistan & how we are just not prepared to handle it.

 

Nighat Dad on Neo TV

Nighat Dad went on Sahafi program on Neo TV to answer some important questions in relation with the General Elections of Pakistan 2024: 

How is propaganda done? How can deep fake and fake news be countered? How prepared is Pakistan to tackle fake news?

Watch it here: https://x.com/NeoNewsUR/status/1750234776446099573?s=20

 

DRF on Jhoot Such

DRF’s Program Lead Seerat Khan spoke to PTV News’s Jhoot Such about Cyber Stalking and the perils associated with it.

 

Link to talk: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2y9cONygwW/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

DRF’s Sr. Project Manager Zainab Durrani talked to PTV’s Jhoot Such about the role of AI and Gen AI in the upcoming General Elections in Pakistan 2024. 

 

Link to talk: https://x.com/DigitalRightsPK/status/1746887172513484911?s=20

 

DRF on Awami Mukalma: Countering Online Hate Speech in Pakistan’s Election Discourse 

DRF’s Programs Lead Seerat Khan spoke on Awami Mukalma on countering hate speech in Pakistan’s Election Discourse. Seerat shared insights on what is hate speech and the importance of countering hate speech and reporting it during election time. She was joined on the panel by Asad Baig from Media Matters for Democracy and journalist Adil Shahzeb. 

 

Link to talk: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=264054746711667&ref=sharing

 

DRF in Press

1	Electronic Frontier Foundation	Joint Statement on the Proposed Cybercrime Treaty Ahead of the Concluding Session	https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2024/01/joint-statement-proposed-cybercrime-treaty-ahead-concluding-session
2	Economic Times	Deepfakes deceive voters from India to Indonesia before elections	https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/elections/lok-sabha/india/deepfakes-deceive-voters-from-india-to-indonesia-before-elections/articleshow/106504149.cms?from=mdr
3	The Hindu	Deepfakes deceive voters from India to Indonesia before elections	https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/deepfakes-deceive-voters-from-india-to-indonesia-before-elections/article67700785.ece
4	Telecom | The Economic Times	Deepfakes deceive voters from India to Indonesia before elections	https://telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/internet/deepfakes-deceive-voters-from-india-to-indonesia-before-elections/106498476
5	Phone World	Doctored Videos Of Politicians Circulate In India, Pakistan Ahead Of Elections 2024	https://www.phoneworld.com.pk/doctored-videos-of-politicians-circulate-in-india-pakistan-ahead-of-elections-2024/
6	The Friday Times	Political Parties Urged To Include Digital Protections In Electoral Manifestos	https://thefridaytimes.com/04-Jan-2024/political-parties-urged-to-include-digital-protections-in-electoral-manifestos
7	BNN	Digital Rights Foundation Calls for Inclusion of Digital Rights in Pakistan’s Electoral Platforms	https://bnnbreaking.com/politics/digital-rights-foundation-calls-for-inclusion-of-digital-rights-in-pakistans-electoral-platforms/
8	The Current	Legal fraternity criticizes Justice Naqvi’s resignation over expected perks	https://thecurrent.pk/justice-mazahar-ali-akbar-naqvi-resigns-from-supreme-court/
9	The CS Monitor	Could TikTok hoaxes tip upcoming South Asian elections?	https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-South-Central/2024/0111/Could-TikTok-hoaxes-tip-upcoming-South-Asian-elections
10	Context News	The deep fake elections are here	https://www.context.news/ai/opinion/the-deepfake-elections-are-here
11	Urdu Point	Digital rights activist calls for public awareness of fake news	https://www.urdupoint.com/en/pakistan/digital-rights-activist-urges-public-awarenes-1785955.html
12	Dawn	Online rallies, AI script: New threats loom ahead of 2024 polls	https://www.dawn.com/news/1806163/online-rallies-ai-script-new-threats-loom-ahead-of-2024-polls
13	Pi News	Digital rights activist calls for public awareness of fake news	https://proiqra.com/digital-rights-activist-calls-for-public-awareness-of-fake-news-pi-news/
14	Minute Mirror	Digital Rights Foundation unveils 6-point agenda on media freedom, journalist safety ahead of general elections	https://minutemirror.com.pk/digital-rights-foundation-unveils-6-point-agenda-on-media-freedom-journalist-safety-ahead-of-general-elections-174597/
15	The Nation	Social media, internet services reportedly down again in parts of Pakistan	https://www.nation.com.pk/20-Jan-2024/social-media-internet-services-reportedly-down-again-in-parts-of-pakistan
16	The News	Fintech industry for kids faces cybersecurity risks: experts	https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1149821-fintech-industry-for-kids-faces-cybersecurity-risks-experts
17	Voice.pk	100 Journalists Sign Agenda For Inclusion Of Media, Digital Rights In Party Manifesto	https://voicepk.net/2024/01/100-journalists-sign-agenda-for-inclusion-of-media-digital-rights-in-party-manifesto/
18	Gulf Times	Deepfakes deceive voters from India to Indonesia before polls	https://www.gulf-times.com/article/676002/opinion/deepfakes-deceive-voters-from-india-to-indonesia-before-polls
19	Ifex	Looking ahead: Censorship, AI, disinformation, and repression undermining elections	https://ifex.org/looking-ahead-censorship-ai-disinformation-and-repression-undermining-elections/
20	Nikkei Asia	Pakistan social media outages squeeze Imran Khan party's last bastion	https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Pakistan-social-media-outages-squeeze-Imran-Khan-party-s-last-bastion
21	The Nation	Demanding accountability, transparency, and support for domestic violence survivors/victims in the media industry	https://www.nation.com.pk/31-Jan-2024/demanding-accountability-transparency-and-support-for-domestic-violence-survivors-victims-in-the-media-industry
22	The Media Line	Press Under Fire: Concerns Rise for Journalistic Freedoms in Pakistan After Reporters Summoned for Defaming Judiciary	https://themedialine.org/people/press-under-fire-concerns-rise-for-journalistic-freedoms-in-pakistan-after-reporters-summoned-for-defaming-judiciary/
23	TechPolicy.Press	A Growing Number of Women Activists Confront Technology and Gender-Based Violence	https://www.techpolicy.press/a-growing-number-of-women-activists-confront-technology-and-genderbased-violence/
24	The Minute Mirror	83 journalists of Pakistan take firm stand for Nomaika Ashfaque Satti	https://minutemirror.com.pk/83-journalists-of-pakistan-take-firm-stand-for-nomaika-ashfaque-satt-180734/

 

Events:

DRF at Alan Turing Institute at London School of Economics

DRF's Research Lead, Maryam Saeed, spoke at a panel hosted by the Alan Turing Institute in collaboration with the London School of Economics' Media and Communications Department. Alan Turing's data justice documentary was also shown at the event as part of their Advancing Data Justice Research Project, which included DRF as one of 12 global policy partners.

 

Watch the documentary here: https://youtube.com/watch?v=x0nCU9ptWqc&list=PLuD_SqLtxSdWAn5DuZu-ExBr46CvfYBek&index=4

 

Policy Dialogue at LUMS

DRF's Legal Team, represented by Irum Shujah and Shafia Imran, attended the Policy Dialogue event organized by the Directorate General Social Welfare & Bait ul Maal, Punjab, at LUMS. The legal team actively shaped the discourse around the forthcoming policy document to the Social Welfare and Bait ul Maal Department, Punjab.

 

During this dialogue, the legal team advocated for crucial aspects of digital inclusion and protection while emphasizing the need for digital literacy programs, robust data protection measures, and the importance of user-friendly online services. Additionally, the team underscored the importance of cybersecurity awareness and proposed collaboration with DRF to tackle evolving digital challenges.

 

TikTok CPC Training

DRF was invited to attend a training session on the new escalation system designed by TikTok. The Cyber Harassment Helpline team attended and has already started to use the new portal for escalating user complaints. 

 

Capacity building workshops in Islamabad and Karachi

DRF organized a series of three in-person capacity building workshops on navigating technology-facilitated online harms during the upcoming elections in Pakistan. Through our series of workshops, we aimed to build the capacity of social media users on different forms and nature of technology-facilitated online harms and the best practices to ensure that the digital spaces are accessible and their participation is safe in the charged political environment during the elections. The second workshop was held on 11th January in Islamabad with 25 participants and the third workshop was held on 18th January in Karachi with 28 participants from diverse religious backgrounds. They shared their experiences of online spaces and how it has impacted their lives in the real world.

 

Digital Citizen Program in Government Schools:

After the winter break, DRF held two sessions in government high schools in Lahore. 355 students (females and males) and 33 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.

Cyberbullying and online safety session at LGS International 

DRF’s program lead Seerat Khan conducted a session on ‘'Cyberbullying and online safety’' at the LGS International school which was attended by 80 students from middle school. Students enthusiastically participated in the session and asked questions about specific online safety practices they should be keeping in mind. 

 

Source Verification and Fact-checking workshop for Journalists during Elections held in Peshawar 

DRF conducted a session on source verification and fact-checking in Peshawar with the support of Meta keeping in mind the upcoming general elections. The one day workshop addressed the emergence of disinformation and misinformation during elections and how to tackle and report dis/misinformation during this time and was attended by 30 journalists from Peshawar and adjacent areas. 

 

DRF Updates: 

Cyber Harassment Helpline 

 

The Cyber Harassment Helpline received 260 complaints in total in January, with 127 complaints by men. 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 Friday.

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/