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January 29, 2025 - Comments Off on نیشنل پرائیویسی کانفرنس 2025 – ووٹر ڈیٹا پرائیویسی پر تحقیقاتی رپورٹ کا اجرا اور ڈیٹا پروٹیکشن کے مسائل پر روشنی

نیشنل پرائیویسی کانفرنس 2025 – ووٹر ڈیٹا پرائیویسی پر تحقیقاتی رپورٹ کا اجرا اور ڈیٹا پروٹیکشن کے مسائل پر روشنی

29 جنوری، 2025

پریس ریلیز

موضوع: نیشنل پرائیویسی کانفرنس 2025 – ووٹر ڈیٹا پرائیویسی پر تحقیقاتی رپورٹ کا اجرا اور ڈیٹا پروٹیکشن کے مسائل پر روشنی

لاہور: ڈیجیٹل رائٹس فاؤنڈیشن (DRF) نے نیشنل پرائیویسی کانفرنس 2025 کا انعقاد کیا تاکہ عالمی ڈیٹا پروٹیکشن ڈے کو منایا جا سکے اور اپنی تازہ ترین تحقیقاتی رپورٹ "پاکستان میں ووٹر ڈیٹا پرائیویسی: پرائیویسی رسک، ڈیٹا پروٹیکشن اور قانون سازی میں خامیاں" کا اجرا کیا جا سکے۔

کانفرنس میں پالیسی سازوں، ماہرین، سول سوسائٹی تنظیموں، سیاسی جماعتوں کے نمائندوں اور دیگر متعلقہ فریقین نے شرکت کی تاکہ اس اہم معاملے پر تبادلہ خیال کیا جا سکے، خاص طور پر ایسے وقت میں جب پاکستان اپنی معیشت کو ڈیجیٹلائز کرنے کے عزائم رکھتا ہے لیکن ڈیٹا لیکس اور انٹرنیٹ رکاوٹوں جیسے مسائل سے دوچار ہے۔

کانفرنس کا آغاز ڈیجیٹل رائٹس فاؤنڈیشن کی ایگزیکٹو ڈائریکٹر نگہت داد کی افتتاحی تقریر سے ہوا، جس میں انہوں نے کہا: "رازداری کا حق صرف ذاتی معلومات کے بے قابو تبادلے کا معاملہ نہیں، بلکہ یہ عوامی اعتماد، باہمی احترام اور شہریوں کے تحفظ کو یقینی بنانے سے متعلق ہے، چاہے وہ آن لائن ہو یا آف لائن۔"

اس کے بعد ہیومن رائٹس واچ کے سینئر کاؤنسل برائے ایشیا، سروپ اعجاز نے کلیدی خطاب کیا، جس میں انہوں نے کہا: "آج کی دنیا میں رازداری کی خلاف ورزی کو معمول بنا دیا گیا ہے، جہاں آپ کو اپنی حفاظت کے بدلے اپنی رازداری کا سودا کرنا پڑتا ہے۔ لیکن یہ ایک غلط تقسیم ہے: جب آپ اپنی رازداری کو نظر انداذ کرنے سے زیادہ محفوظ نہیں رہتے۔"

کانفرنس کے پہلے پینل سیشن میں ڈیجیٹل رائٹس فاؤنڈیشن کی تحقیق پر گفتگو کی گئی، جس نے فروری 2024 کے عام انتخابات کے دوران ووٹر ڈیٹا کے تحفظ میں موجود خامیوں کو اجاگر کیا۔ اس سیشن میں ڈیجیٹل رائٹس فاؤنڈیشن کی سائبر ہراسمنٹ ہیلپ لائن کی سربراہ حیرہ باسط نے ماڈریٹر کے فرائض انجام دیے، جبکہ مقررین میں محقق مریم علی خان، پاکستان پیپلز پارٹی (PPP) کی نمائندہ نایاب جان، اور ہیومن رائٹس کمیشن آف پاکستان (HRCP) کی سینئر مینیجر برائے تحقیق و مواصلات ماہین پراچہ شامل تھیں۔

مقررین نے الیکشن کمیشن آف پاکستان کے ووٹر ڈیٹا کے تحفظ کے موجودہ فریم ورک میں موجود خامیوں پر روشنی ڈالی اور یہ بھی زیر بحث آیا کہ سیاسی جماعتوں نے انتخابات کے دوران ووٹرز کا ڈیٹا کیسے استعمال کیا۔ مزید براں، ووٹنگ کی معلومات کو زیادہ محفوظ بنانے کے لیے جن اقدامات کی ضرورت ہے، ان پر بھی تبادلہ خیال کیا گیا۔ مس جین نے نوٹ کیا کہ "ہر سیاسی جماعت کی ذمہ داری ہے... کہ وہ ڈیجیٹل دیانت داری کو برقرار رکھے" اور انہیں "اندرونی ضابطہ اخلاق، قانون سازی اور مکالمے" پر کام کرنا چاہیے۔ مس پراچہ نے مزید کہا کہ اس کی ذمہ داری الیکشن کمیشن آف پاکستان (ECP) اور نیشنل ڈیٹا بیس اینڈ رجسٹریشن اتھارٹی (NADRA) پر عائد ہوتی ہے۔ علاوہ ازیں، "یہ تصور کہ ڈیٹا کے غلط استعمال کو صرف ایک تکلیف سمجھا جائے، ختم ہونا چاہیے؛ ڈیٹا کے غلط استعمال سے کمزور افراد کو شدید نقصان پہنچ سکتا ہے۔"

دوسرے پینل میں اس پر روشنی ڈالی گئی کہ پاکستان میں ڈیٹا پروٹیکشن کا جامع اور عوام دوست قانون کیوں ضروری ہے۔ ڈیجیٹل رائٹس فاؤنڈیشن کی سینئر ریسرچ اینڈ گرانٹس ایسوسی ایٹ سیرت خان نے اس سیشن کو ماڈریٹ کیا، جبکہ مقررین میں رازداری کی ماہر زینب خان درانی، ڈیجیٹل رائٹس فاؤنڈیشن کی پروگرام لیڈ ارم شجاع، "بولو بھی" کے شریک بانی اور ڈائریکٹر اسامہ خلجی، اور نیشنل کمیشن برائے انسانی حقوق (NCHR) کے اسسٹنٹ ڈائریکٹر (جنرل) غلام عباس سپرا شامل تھے۔

مقررین نے اس بات پر تبادلہ خیال کیا کہ پاکستان میں ڈیٹا پروٹیکشن کے قوانین کی عدم موجودگی عام شہریوں کو ڈیٹا کے غلط استعمال، جیسے شناختی چوری، اسپام، اور بائیومیٹرک ڈیٹا کے ممکنہ استحصال کا شکار بنا سکتی ہے۔  محترمہ شجاع نے مشاہدہ کیا کہ، " موجودہ ریگولیٹری فریم ورک میں ڈیٹا مٹانے اور رضامندی کا عمل وکلاء کے لیے سمجھنا ہی مشکل ہے، عام شہریوں کو تو چھوڑ ہی دیں۔"

مزید برآں، اس بات پر بھی روشنی ڈالی گئی کہ ایک جامع ڈیٹا پروٹیکشن قانون میں کون سے کلیدی عناصر شامل ہونے چاہئیں، جیسا کہ بین الاقوامی انسانی حقوق کے اصولوں سے ہم آہنگی، اور موجودہ سیاسی صورتحال کے پیش نظر پاکستان کا اس معاملے میں ممکنہ مستقبل کیا ہو سکتا ہے۔ مس درانی نے زور دیا کہ "اگر ایسے قانون سازی کا عمل مشاوری نہ ہو، تو یہ عوام کی ضروریات کی نمائندگی نہیں کرے گا اور یہ ایک اور قانون بن جائے گا جو حقوق کی ضمانت دینے کے بجائے انہیں محدود کرنے کا سبب بنے گا۔"

کانفرنس کے اختتام سے قبل، شرکاء نے پینلسٹس سے سوالات کیے۔ ایک شریک نے نشاندہی کی کہ ضروری قانون سازی موجود ہونے کے باوجود اس پر عمل درآمد کی کمی ہے، جسے مس درانی نے تسلیم کیا اور مزید کہا، "وَکالت (ایڈوکیسی) کو چند تنظیموں یا ڈیجیٹل حقوق کے کارکنوں تک محدود نہیں رکھا جا سکتا۔ ہمیں سب کو اپنے اجتماعی حقوق کے لیے سرگرم ہونا ہوگا۔" پینلسٹس اور شرکاء اس بات پر متفق تھے کہ پاکستان کے شہریوں کے لیے ایک محفوظ اور رازداری کا احترام کرنے والے ڈیجیٹل مستقبل کو یقینی بنانے کے لیے جامع قانون سازی کے ذریعے ڈیٹا کی کمزوریوں کو دور کرنا انتہائی ضروری ہے۔

تحقیقی رپورٹ پڑھنے کے لیے:
https://digitalrightsfoundation.pk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Voter-Data-Privacy-in-Pakistan.pdf

January 29, 2025 - Comments Off on National Privacy Conference 2025 Highlights Gaps in Data Protection and Launches Research Paper on Voter Data Privacy

National Privacy Conference 2025 Highlights Gaps in Data Protection and Launches Research Paper on Voter Data Privacy

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRESS RELEASE

January 29, 2025

Subject: National Privacy Conference 2025 Highlights Gaps in Data Protection and Launches Research Paper on Voter Data Privacy

Lahore: The Digital Rights Foundation (DRF) hosted this year’s National Privacy Conference 2025 to jointly mark global Data Protection Day and launch its latest research paper Voter Data Privacy in Pakistan: Privacy Risks, Data Protection, and Legislative Shortcomings During Data-Driven Elections. This conference was organized to address critical issues surrounding voter data privacy and the state of data protection legislation in Pakistan. Policymakers, academics, digital rights experts, civil society organizations, political party representatives and other key stakeholders came together to discuss the urgency of adequate data protection laws and regulatory infrastructure, especially in a country ambitious to digitize its economy but still vulnerable to significant data breaches and Internet disruptions.

The conference began with opening remarks from DRF Executive Director, Ms. Nighat Dad, who stated that “the right to privacy is about more than just the unchecked exchange of personal data… [it] is about public trust, mutual respect, informed consent, and shaping a future that prioritizes citizens’ safety in both online and offline spaces”. This was followed by insights from the conference’s keynote speaker Mr. Saroop Ijaz, Senior Counsel (Asia) for the Human Rights Watch, who noted, “There is a normalization of infringement of privacy in today’s world whereby you have to bargain your privacy in return for safety. But this is a false binary: when you trade in privacy, it does not make you more secure.”

The first panel, titled “Voter Data Privacy Research: Insights from DRF’s 2024 General Elections Study”, delved into DRF’s research paper on voter data privacy, which specifically highlights vulnerabilities in Pakistan’s information ecosystem during the February 2024 general elections. DRF’s Cyber Harassment Helpline Lead, Ms. Hyra Basit, moderated the panel, which featured researcher Ms. Maryam Ali Khan, PPP Punjab information secretary Ms. Nayab Jan, and Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) Senior Manager Research and Communications Ms. Maheen Pracha. The panelists discussed critical gaps in the existing framework of the Election Commission of Pakistan vis-a-vis protecting voter data, as well as political parties’ voter data practices during the elections. They also discussed what steps could be taken to better safeguard voting information. Ms. Jan noted that “every political party has a responsibility… to maintain digital integrity” and that they must work on “internal code of conducts, legislation and dialogue”. Ms. Pracha added that the onus lies on the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA). Moreover, “the perception that the misuse of data is an inconvenience needs to be removed; data misuse can potentially cause great harm to vulnerable people.”

The second panel, titled “Data Protection Legislation: Why It’s Needed, and Where We Are Now”, examined why data protection legislation that is holistic and pro-people is vital in Pakistan. DRF’s Senior Research and Grants Associate Ms. Seerat Khan moderated the panel, which featured privacy expert Ms. Zainab Khan Durrani, DRF’s Programs Lead Ms. Irum Shujah, co-founder and director of Bolo Bhi Mr. Usama Khilji, and National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) Assistant Director (General) Mr. Ghulam Abbas Sipra. The panelists discussed how the absence of a data protection regime impacts citizens, leaving them vulnerable to data abuse such as identity fraud, spam and biometric data misuse. Ms. Shujah observed, “The process of data erasure and consent are difficult for even lawyers to grapple with in the current regulatory framework, let alone everyday citizens.” The panelists also discussed what key elements must be present in a comprehensive data protection law, such as compliance with international human rights framework and principles, and Pakistan’s future trajectory in this scope given the current political situation. Ms. Durrani emphasized that “If the process of making such a law is not consultative, then it is not going to be representative of the needs of the people, and will be another law to impede rights rather than guaranteeing rights."

Before the conference concluded, the participants asked panelists questions. One participant pointed out that there is a lack of enforcement even when the necessary legislation is in place, which Ms. Durrani acknowledged and responded further, “Advocacy cannot be limited to a few organizations or digital rights activists. We all need to be activists for our collective rights.” Both panelists and participants agreed that addressing data vulnerabilities with comprehensive legislation is imperative to ensure a secure and privacy-respecting digital future for Pakistan’s citizens.

The research paper launched at the conference is available to read at https://digitalrightsfoundation.pk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Voter-Data-Privacy-in-Pakistan.pdf

January 23, 2025 - Comments Off on Digital Rights Foundation and The Learning Hub College, Gujranwala, sign an MoU to promote digital rights and online safety awareness among students

Digital Rights Foundation and The Learning Hub College, Gujranwala, sign an MoU to promote digital rights and online safety awareness among students

 

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRESS RELEASE

January 22, 2025

Subject: Digital Rights Foundation and The Learning Hub College, Gujranwala, sign an MoU to promote digital rights and online safety awareness among students

Gujranwala: Digital Rights Foundation (DRF) and The Learning Hub College, Gujranwala (TLHC), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collectively promote digital rights and online safety awareness for students in the TLHC educational institution.

Given today’s rapidly changing digital landscape and evolving nature of cyber threats, DRF and TLHC agreed to collaborate – through a series of targeted online and offline interventions – to enhance digital literacy and raise awareness among students about online safety best practices. These interventions will aim to address cyberbullying, emphasize responsible online engagement, and build resilience and capacity in navigating digital spaces.

DRF will be engaging with a network of 10,000 students and 1,000 teachers over the course of two years. This engagement includes TLHC and also connects DRF with the broader network of institutions within the TLH chain and The Jadeed Dastgir Ideal Schools. Students and teachers will learn how to recognize misinformation and disinformation, understand what support mechanisms are in place when encountering cyberbullying and harassment, and how to ethically use social media platforms in their day-to-day lives. Students will also be able to turn to DRF for comprehensive information and resources on cybersecurity, and access the Cyber Harassment Helpline for psychosocial support and guidance.

TLHC Director Mr. Allauddin Jameel and DRF Programs Lead Ms. Irum Shujah (on behalf of DRF Executive Director Ms. Nighat Dad) signed the MoU and shed light on the importance of this collaboration for public schools in Lahore’s district. According to DRF Executive Director Nighat Dad, “This initiative underscores DRF’s longstanding objective to increase digital literacy across Pakistan, equipping our youth with the tools and resources they need to safely and responsibly conduct themselves online, and collaborating with educational institutions to normalize conversations around cyber safety. We look forward to engaging with TLHC students and watching them thrive in the future as digitally empowered citizens.”

December 20, 2024 - Comments Off on DRF’s report records rampant harmful content spread on platforms during the 2024 Pakistan General Elections, with inconsistent content moderation enforcement

DRF’s report records rampant harmful content spread on platforms during the 2024 Pakistan General Elections, with inconsistent content moderation enforcement

PRESS RELEASE

December 20, 2024

The Digital Rights Foundation (DRF)’s latest report “Platforms At The Polls: Disinformation, Political Ads & Accountability During The 2024 Pakistan General Elections” found rampant disinformation and harmful content on major social media platforms in the run-up to the country’s recent general elections in February 2024. Focusing on TikTok, Facebook/Instagram, Youtube, and X (formerly Twitter), the report noted a significant disparity in the platforms' approaches to content violations in Pakistan, compared to Global North territories.

There was a deluge of harmful content on major social media platforms around elections, with a rise in technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) and deepfake visuals being used against women in the public sphere such as journalists and politicians. DRF analysed 225 posts by users across different platforms from November 2023 to March 2024. 163 of those posts fell under the category of gendered disinformation, with the rest under broader disinformation, misinformation, fake news, Generative AI and hate speech. PML-N faced the largest number of gendered disinformation posts (76), which primarily targeted PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz, followed by PTI (61), and PPP (19).  Furthermore, at least 47 posts targeted journalists covering the elections, subjecting them to gendered insults and online trolling campaigns that included online threats of physical assault. Also among the victims were ethnic indigenous and transgender communities (13 posts).

Though the platforms under review list comprehensive policies pertaining to electoral information integrity on their websites, DRF notes that platforms’ readiness concerning content moderation around elections in Pakistan and other South Asian countries was not sufficient. Given that social media platforms have clear, wide-ranging and overarching policies and community guidelines, this inability to tackle or control material that violates those guidelines and policies is hence deeply concerning. For instance, there needed to be more transparency from most platforms regarding money spent on political advertisements around the 2024 General Elections. DRF found that major political parties spent a collective PKR 54 million, or USD 190,000, on running ads for their political campaigns on Facebook and Instagram. The largest spender was Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), with PKR 25 million, followed by the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) at PKR 13 million, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) at PKR 6 million, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) at PKR 5 million, and Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) at PKR 0.79 million. It is worth noting that only Meta (Facebook, Instagram) was transparent about the amount political parties, or accounts supportive of them, had spent on the elections. No other social media platform offered any details regarding ad expenditures by political parties.

According to DRF Executive Director Nighat Dad, “The electoral integrity upheld by social media platforms is crucial to maintaining democratic norms, as evidenced this year. However, we have also witnessed serious offline consequences when these platforms are not fully equipped to tackle the spread of disinformation, particularly when they fail to address election-related information manipulation in a timely and effective manner.” In order to tackle disinformation and gender-based violence during elections and other political or social events, tech companies must uphold information integrity to ensure consistent fair election practices across the globe, especially in the Global Majority.

The full report is available to read at https://digitalrightsfoundation.pk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Platforms-at-the-Polls.pdf

 

Digital Rights Foundation (DRF) is a research and advocacy organisation that strives to raise awareness about human rights and responsible use of technology in the digital realm. Since its inception in 2012, DRF has been extensively involved in global and regional advocacy on a range of digital rights issues including on data privacy, cyber harassment, rise of online disinformation and hate speech and social impact of Generative Artificial Intelligence.

For more information log on: www.digitalrightsfoundation.pk

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Contact

Nighat Dad

[email protected]

Seerat Khan

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Maheen Rasheed

maheen@digitalrightsfoundation.pk

 

For press/media inquiries: [email protected]

July 25, 2024 - Comments Off on More than 60 Journalists and Media Practitioners Across Pakistan Condemn the Sexist and Derogatory Statements Made by Dr. Omer Adil Against Women in Media

More than 60 Journalists and Media Practitioners Across Pakistan Condemn the Sexist and Derogatory Statements Made by Dr. Omer Adil Against Women in Media

IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

PRESS RELEASE

25 July 2024

Pakistan: Network of Women Journalists for Digital Rights (NWJDR) strongly condemns Dr. Omer Adil’s recent derogatory and sexist statements against Gharidah Farooqi  and women working in the media in an online program by vlogger Zohaib Saleem Butt. The online vlog has been extremely triggering with the use of graphic language against women journalists in the country.

 

The use of these sexist and abusive words for women working in the media have been repeatedly used by male journalists and colleagues in the past too. This is not the first time that female journalists and anchors have been a target of hate speech, threats and defamation. Time and again women journalists have raised their concerns with relevant authorities and demanded justice however no punitive action is taken to provide them with protection. 

 

It is also pertinent to mention that the World Press Freedom Index already marks Pakistan at 152 out of 180 countries on press freedom and there’s been repeated orchestrated and sophisticated attacks against women journalists with gendered disinformation, hateful slurs, and technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) in the country. The Digital Rights Foundation’s Cyber Harassment Helpline Report 2023 has also been receiving repeated complaints from journalists based on the attacks they face online and in 2023 alone 35 journalists filed a complaint with the helpline.

 

These comments increase the chances of violence in offline spaces for women working in the media and can have a lasting impact on their mental health. Women journalists already lack institutional support from families and workplaces and with comments like these made by senior journalists it only reinforces negative stereotypical personas of women working in the media and also directly poses threats to their economic livelihoods. 

 

The NWJDR demands full accountability from Dr. Omar Adil for maligning female journalists in the video. A public apology is insufficient to address the profound damage inflicted on the reputation of all women journalists. Furthermore, we assert that the apology from video host Zohaib Saleem Butt is grossly inadequate and fails to mitigate the harm caused by the misogynistic statements made in the video. 

 

We call on relevant government bodies, journalist protection organizations, and regional and national press clubs to unequivocally condemn the use of such language against women in the media. They must actively discourage its perpetuation through online content and vlogs and take punitive action against those disseminating this harmful content.

 

Signatures: 

  1. Asma Kundi DW urdu freelancer
  2. Mahwish Fakhar, Dawn, Islamabad
  3. Dr. Tehreem Azeem, Assistant Professor, Department of Mass Communication, NUST 
  4. Ayesha Khalid, Comms Manager, Facter Lead, Media Matters for Democracy
  5. Gharidah Farooqi, anchor, Gtv
  6. Afia Salaam, journalist
  7. Madiha Abid Ali, Anchor person, PTV News Islamabad
  8. Qurrat ul Ain Shirazi, journalist.
  9. Mehr Hussain, The Friday Times
  10. Fauzia Yazdani
  11. Riffat Anjum, Journalist
  12. Amber Shamsi, Journalist
  13. Fatima Nazish, Multimedia editor DW news
  14. Amel Ghani - Journalist Lahore
  15. Bushra Pasha Foreign Correspondent DW Urdu
  16. Umaima Ahmed, Global Voices
  17. Fauzia Kalsoom Rana, Founder and Convenor Women journalists Association of Pakistan WJAP, Broadcast Journalist
  18. Yashfeen Jamal, Anchorperson, Neo news
  19. Ramna Saeed Yeni Șafak international correspondent
  20. Sheema Siddiqui, Geo TV karachi
  21. Xari Jalil, Voice.pk
  22. Sabahat khan, Freelance journalist
  23. FahmidahYousfi, journalist
  24. Khalida niaz, Radio Mashaal
  25. Ayesha Saghir, Reporter Express News Lahore
  26. Lubna Jarar Naqvi, Journalist
  27. Bushra Iqbal, multimedia journalist/ anchor person
  28. Javeria Siddique Columnist Dunya Newspaper and Journalist working for Trt Urdu.
  29. Najia Mir, Anchor person/ Senior Producer, KTN News
  30. Sadia Hyat Khan, CEO of Zenith Media, actor anchor producer.
  31. Shama Siddiqui journalist Anchor person  News Reader
  32. Mehmal Sarfraz, Journalist
  33. Shiba Gill, Anchor person: Lahore Chamber of commerce and industry
  34. Aneela Ashraf freelance Multan
  35. Farah Naz, b chief & Reporter Daily Aghaz e Safar, Editor Weekly Sholla
  36. Absa Komal, Dawn Tv
  37. Maryam Zia, Anchor PTV World
  38. Amer Malik, Senior Correspondent, The News International
  39. Wasif Shakil, Senior News Editor, Geo News
  40. Moazzam S. Bhatti, Journalist
  41. Zoya Anwer, Freelance Journalist
  42. Zebunnisa Burki -- Journalist
  43. Tarhub Asghar - BBC journalist
  44. Mahjabeen Abid, freelance journalist / Multan
  45. Amina Usman Anchor person & Chairperson Of Media leading Ladies
  46. Dr. Rabia Noor, ARY NEWS
  47. Sana Asif BBC Pvt Ltd Broadcast Journalist
  48. Imrana Komal, Freelancer
  49. Wajeeha Aslam, Manager Special project Samaa news
  50. Fareeha Idrees, anchor of GNN. 
  51. Dr.Hayam Qayyoum, Assistant Professor department of media Studies. Bahria University Islamabad
  52. Hafsa Javed Khawaja, Journalism for Human Rights 
  53. Sabah Malik, CityFM89, Dawn Media 
  54. Aliya Jabeen, journalist 
  55. Afshan Masab, Multimedia journalist, CEO NativeMedia
  56. Faiz Paracha, Correspondent, Pro Pakistani & Daily News Diplomacy
  57. Sumeira Ashraf, head of assignment & planning, 24 News HD, Islamabad
  58. Sarah B. Haider, Journalist
  59. Saweera Mustafa, Producer G For Gharida, Gtv
  60. Rabbia Arshad journalist - multimedia journalist/documentary maker
  61. Dr. Sana Ghori ( Metro One News ) Karachi
  62. Arifa Noor, anchor, Dawn
  63. Sehrish Qureshi Producer - Independent Urdu, Joint Secretary - National Press Club
  64. Sanam Junejo, Associated press of Pakistan, Reporter/subeditor

 

Digital Rights Foundation is a registered research-based NGO in Pakistan. Founded in 2012, DRF focuses on ICTs to support human rights, inclusiveness, democratic processes, and digital governance. DRF works on issues of online free speech, privacy, data protection and online violence against women.

 

For more information log on: www.digitalrightsfoundation.pk 

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Nighat Dad 

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Seerat Khan

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Umaima Ahmad

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Anam Baloch

[email protected]

For press/media inquiries: [email protected]

 

 

April 5, 2024 - Comments Off on ڈیجیٹل رائٹس فاؤنڈیشن کی ہیلپ لائن پاکستان میں 2023 میں ٹیکنالوجی کی مدد سے جنسی بنیاد پر موجودہ واقعات (ٹی ایف جی بی وی) میں اضافہ دیکھ رہی ہے، تقریباً 2500 تک پہنچ گیا۔     

ڈیجیٹل رائٹس فاؤنڈیشن کی ہیلپ لائن پاکستان میں 2023 میں ٹیکنالوجی کی مدد سے جنسی بنیاد پر موجودہ واقعات (ٹی ایف جی بی وی) میں اضافہ دیکھ رہی ہے، تقریباً 2500 تک پہنچ گیا۔     

5 اپریل 2024

ڈیجیٹل رائٹس فاؤنڈیشن نے 2023 کے لیے اپنی ساتویں سالانہ سائبر ہراسمنٹ ہیلپ لائن رپورٹ جاری کی ہے۔ ہیلپ لائن نے دسمبر 2016 میں اپنے آغاز کے بعد سے آپریشن کے سات سال مکمل کیے ہیں اور اسے پاکستان بھر سے کل 16,849 شکایات موصول ہوئی ہیں۔ . صرف 2023 میں ہیلپ لائن پر کل 2473 نئی شکایات موصول ہوئیں جن میں ہر ماہ اوسطاً 206 نئی شکایات موصول ہوئیں اور فروری 2023 میں سال میں سب سے زیادہ شکایات موصول ہوئیں۔

ہیلپ لائن رپورٹ پیر سے اتوار، صبح 9 بجے سے شام 5 بجے تک ٹول فری نمبر، ای میل اور سوشل میڈیا پلیٹ فارمز کے ذریعے موصول ہونے والی شکایات کے اعداد و شمار کا مجموعہ ہے۔ یہ رپورٹ کیس اسٹڈیز ، ہیلپ لائن کال کرنے والوں کے تاثرات اور پالیسی سازوں اور قانون نافذ کرنے والے اداروں کے لیے سفارشات پر مشتمل ہے۔

سائبر ہراسمنٹ ہیلپ لائن خطے کی پہلی مخصوص ہیلپ لائن ہے جو ٹیکنالوجی کی مدد سے صنفی بنیاد پرآن لا ئن تشدد سے نمٹنے کے لیے  صنفی حساسایت کے ساتھ رازدارانہ اور مفت خدمات فراہم کرتا ہے۔ یہ قانونی مشورہ، ڈیجیٹل مدد، اور بنیادی نفسیاتی مدد فراہم کرتا ہے اور ایک مناسب ریفرل میکانزم پیش کرتا ہے۔ ہفتے کے آخر میں درخواستوں کی بڑھتی ہوئی تعداد کو پورا کرنے کے لیے ہیلپ لائن ہفتے میں 7 دن کام کرتی ہے۔

ڈیجیٹل رائٹس فاؤنڈیشن کی ایگزیکٹو ڈائریکٹر نگہت داد نے نوٹ کیا، "سال 2023 میں خواتین اور پسماندہ گروہوں کے خلاف ٹیکنالوجی کی مدد سے صنفی بنیاد پر‎ آن لائن تشدد سے متعلق شکایات میں نمایاں اضافہ ہوا ہے۔ تشدد کے یہ واقعات ان گروہوں کے لیے ممکنہ آف لائن تشدد میں اضافے کا باعث بھی بن رہے ہیں۔ ایک اور تشویشناک چیز جو ہم نے انتخابات کے قریب ہیلپ لائن کے ذریعے نوٹ کی وہ عوامی حلقوں میں خواتین کے خلاف اور خاص طور پر خواتین صحافیوں کے خلاف آن لائن تشدد کو بڑھاوا دینے کے لیے اے آئی (AI) جنریٹیو مواد کا استعمال تھی۔ یہ بڑھتی ہوئی تعداد تشویشناک ہے ۔اور یہ تعداد ظاہر کرتی ہے کہ کس طرح آن لائن جگہوں پر خواتین اور پسماندہ گروہوں کو شناخت کی بنیاد پرنشانہ بنایا جا رہا ہے۔ ملک کے اندر ریاستی اداروں کی مکمل حمایت کے ساتھ ٹیکنالوجی کی مدد سے صنفی بنیاد پر ‎ئن تشدد کا سامنا کرنے والے پسماندگان کے فوری ازالے اور تحفظ کی ضرورت ہے۔"

2023 میں خواتین آن لائن ہراسانی کا سب سے زیادہ شکار ہوئیں جو کہ ہیلپ لائن پرموصول ہونے والی 58.5 فیصد شکایت کنندگان ہیں۔ ہیلپ لائن نے یہ بھی نوٹ کیا کہ پچھلے سال کی طرح اس سال بھی ٹرانس جینڈر کمیونٹی کو ایک منظم آن لائن نفرت انگیز مہم کا نشانہ بنایا گیا اور یہ شکایات موصول ہونے والی شکایات کا تقریباً 1.6 فیصد ہیں۔ پچھلے سال کے اسی طرح کے حملوں کے نتائج کے باوجود سوشل میڈیا پلیٹ فارمز کے ردعمل اور اقدامات ایک جیسے رہے ہیں۔  ہیلپ لائن کی مینیجر، حرا باسط نے کہا کہ، "ا س سال، ہم نے دیکھا ہے کہ کس طرح ٹیکنالوجی کی مدد سے صنفی بنیاد پرآن لا‎ئن تشدد، غیر منظم ایپس کے ذریعے خواتین کی پرائیویسی کی خلاف ورزیوں کی بڑھتی ہوئی شکایات کے ساتھ ، اور غیر متفقہ مباشرت تصاویر بنانے کے لیے جدید ایڈیٹنگ اور جنریٹیواے آئی کے استعمال کے ساتھ، پچھلے برسوں کے مقابلے میں ذیادہ ہوا ہے۔"

رپورٹ میں مذید بتایا گیا ہے کہ 2023 میں سب سے زیادہ شکایات پنجاب (1724) سے موصول ہوئیں، اس کے بعد سندھ (261) اور کے پی (112) ہیں۔ ڈیٹا کی یہ جغرافیائی تقسیم قانون نافذ کرنے والے اداروں اور دیگر وسائل کی رسائی کی نقشہ سازی میں مدد کرے گی۔ ایف آئی اے، جو کہ پریوینشن الیکٹرانک کرائمز ایکٹ (PECA) کے تحت قانون نافذ کرنے والا نامزد ادارہ ہے، اس کے صرف 15 شہروں میں سائبر کرائم ونگز ہیں۔ جبکہ رپورٹیں ان کی ہیلپ لائن اور آن لائن شکایت فارم کے ذریعے جمع کرائی جا سکتی ہیں، متعدد شکایت کنندگان کے تاثرات سے پتہ چلتا ہے کہ یہ طریقے ناقابل اعتبار ہیں اور شکایت جمع کرانے کا سب سے موثر طریقہ ذاتی شکایات کے ذریعے ہے۔ مزید برآں، ہیلپ لائن کو کبھی کبھار پاکستان سے باہر کے لوگوں سے شکایات موصول ہوتی ہیں جن کی تعداد 2023 میں 58 تھی، اور یہ پاکستانی اور غیر پاکستانی شہریوں پر مشتمل ہے، جہاں

ایف آئی اے کے پاس مقدمہ درج کرنے کے لیے ملک کے اندر موجودگی یا نمائندگی کی کمی ایک مسئلہ ہو سکتی ہے۔

اس کےعلاوہ رپورٹ میں پالیسی سازوں اورقانون نافذ کرنے والے اداروں کے لیے ملک میں آن لائن ہراساں کیے جانے کے معاملات سے متعلق سفارشات کا ایک مجموعہ بھی شامل ہے۔  یہ رپورٹ پالیسی سازوں کے لیے تجویز کرتی ہے کہ سکولی نصاب میں ڈیجیٹل خواندگی اور آن لائن حفاظت کو ضم کرنے کے لیے سکولوں اور تعلیمی اداروں میں صنفی حساسیت کی ورکشاپس کا انعقاد کیا جائے۔ اس کے علاوہ خواتین کے لیے انٹرنیٹ اور ڈیوائس تک رسائی کی راہ میں حائل رکاوٹوں کو دور کرکے ڈیجیٹل صنفی تقسیم کو دور کرنے، قانون سازی کے لیے صنف سے متعلق سول سوسائٹی کی تنظیموں کے ساتھ تعاون کی سفارش کرتا ہے۔  ڈیجیٹل پرائیویسی اور تحفظ سے متعلق انسانی حقوق کے مطابق قانون سازی، اور ڈیجیٹل حقوق اور صنفی مساوات پر کام کرنے والی سول سوسائٹی کی تنظیموں کی مدد کرنا۔ قانون نافذ کرنے والے اداروں کے لیے سفارشات میں وسائل کی تقسیم میں اضافہ، غیر ملکی دائرہ اختیار میں مقدمات سے نمٹنے کے لیے طریقہ کار کا قیام، آن لائن شکایتی پورٹلز کی فعالیت کو بڑھانا، پولیس کے ساتھ ہم آہنگی کے لیے پروٹوکول تیار کرنا، سائبر ہراساں کیے جانے کے کیسز پر صنفی طور پر الگ الگ ڈیٹا اکٹھا کرنا، سائبر ہراسمنٹ کے لیے مخصوص ڈیسک کا قیام شامل ہیں۔ سائبر کرائم ونگز، برانچوں کے درمیان ہم آہنگی کو بہتر بنانا، متاثرین کے لیے نفسیاتی خدمات فراہم کرنا، کیس مینجمنٹ اور ٹریکنگ سسٹم کا نفاذ، تکنیکی مہارت کو بڑھانا، اور سائبر کرائم قانون، انٹرنیٹ گورننس، اور آن لائن ہراساں کرنے کے بارے میں ججوں کو تربیت فراہم کرنا تاکہ متعلقہ کیسوں کا مؤثر طریقے سے فیصلہ کرنے کی صلاحیت کو بہتر بنایا جا سکے۔

یجیٹل رائٹس فاؤنڈیشن پاکستان میں ایک رجسٹرڈ تحقیق پر مبنی این جی او ہے۔ 2012 میں قائم کیا گیا، ڈی آر ایف انسانی حقوق، جامعیت، جمہوری عمل، اور ڈیجیٹل گورننس کی حمایت کے لیے ICT پر توجہ مرکوز کرتا ہے۔ ڈی آر ایف آن لائن آزادانہ رائے دہی، رازداری، ڈیٹا کے تحفظ اور خواتین کے خلاف آن لائن تشدد کے مسائل پر کام کرتا ہے۔

 

 

 

 

 

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April 5, 2024 - Comments Off on Digital Rights Foundation’s Helpline Records Surge in cases of Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) in Pakistan reaching nearly 2500 in 2023

Digital Rights Foundation’s Helpline Records Surge in cases of Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) in Pakistan reaching nearly 2500 in 2023

April 5, 2023: 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.

 

The helpline report is a compilation of the data from complaints received by the Helpline through its toll-free number (0800-39393), email and DRF’s social media platforms from Monday to Sunday, 9 am to 5 pm. The report also contains case studies and feedback from Helpline callers and recommendations for policymakers and law enforcement agencies (LEAs).

 

The Cyber Harassment Helpline is the region's first dedicated helpline addressing tech-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) with gender-sensitive, confidential and free services. It provides legal advice, digital assistance, and basic psychological assistance and offers a proper referral mechanism. The helpline operates 7 days a week to cater to a growing number of requests over the weekend.  Nighat Dad, Executive Director of DRF, noted, “There’s been a significant rise of complaints relating to technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) against women and marginalized groups in the year 2023. These instances of violence are also leading to a rise in potential offline violence for these groups. Another alarming thing that we noted through the helpline near the elections was the use of generative AI content being used to exacerbate violence against women in the public sphere, particularly women journalists. These growing numbers are alarming and grow to show how online spaces are perpetuating identity-based attacks on women and marginalized groups. There is a need for urgent redressal and protection for survivors facing TFGBV with holistic support from state institutions within the country.”

 

In 2023 Women were the highest reported victims of online harassment constituting 58.5% of complainants. The Helpline also noted that like the previous year this year the transgender community was subjected to an orchestrated online hate campaign and these complaints made up to approximately 1.6% .. Despite last year’s findings of similar attacks, responses and actions taken by social media platforms have been the same. Hyra Basit, the helpline manager stated, ‘This year, we have seen how the manifestation of TFGBV has evolved over years, with rising complaints of incredible privacy violations of women via unregulated apps, and the use of modern editing and generative AI to produce non-consensual intimate images (NCII)'

 

Moreover, the report highlights that the highest number of complaints received in 2023 were from Punjab (1724), followed by Sindh (261) and KP (112). This geographical breakdown of data will help in mapping the accessibility of law enforcement agencies and other remedial resources. The FIA, which is the designated law enforcement agency under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), has cybercrime wings in only 15 cities. While reports can be submitted through their helpline and online complaint form, feedback from multiple complainants shows that these methods are unreliable and the most efficient way to submit a complaint is through in-person complaints. Furthermore, the Helpline occasionally receives complaints from people outside Pakistan which was 58 in 2023, and comprised Pakistani and non-Pakistani citizens, where the lack of physical presence or representation within the country to file a case with the FIA can be a challenge.

 

Additionally, the report also includes a set of recommendations for policymakers and LEAs regarding online harassment cases in the country. For policymakers, it recommends collaboration with gender-specific civil society organizations for conducting gender sensitization workshops in schools and education institutions, integrating digital literacy and safety into school curriculums, addressing the digital gender divide by removing barriers to internet and device access for women, enacting human rights-compliant legislation on digital privacy and protection, and supporting civil society organizations working on digital rights and gender equality. Recommendations for law enforcement include increasing resource allocation, establishing mechanisms for handling cases in foreign jurisdictions, enhancing the functionality of online complaint portals, developing protocols for coordination with police, collecting gender-disaggregated data on cyber harassment cases, establishing dedicated desks for cyber harassment within cybercrime wings, improving coordination between branches, providing psychological services for victims, implementing a case management and tracking system, enhancing technical expertise, and providing training for judges on cybercrime law, internet governance, and online harassment to improve their ability to adjudicate related cases effectively.

Digital Rights Foundation is a registered research-based NGO in Pakistan. Founded in 2012, DRF focuses on ICTs to support human rights, inclusiveness, democratic processes, and digital governance. DRF works on issues of online free speech, privacy, data protection and online violence against women.

 

For more information log on: www.digitalrightsfoundation.pk

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Hyra Basit

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For press/media inquiries: [email protected]

 

January 16, 2024 - Comments Off on DRF launches Disinformation Whatsapp Tipline to counter Gendered Disinformation during the elections

DRF launches Disinformation Whatsapp Tipline to counter Gendered Disinformation during the elections

December 21, 2023

Digital Rights Foundation (DRF) in collaboration with Meedan and Check has launched the Disinformation Whatsapp Tipline to counter growing gendered disinformation and misinformation during the elections. The WhatsApp Tipline is a move towards documenting instances of growing disinformation which is shaping narratives and reinforcing online harms like hate speech and technology facilitated-gender-based violence in Pakistan, particularly during election time. 

The WhatsApp Tipline is available in both Urdu and English and can be reached at 0301-3249539. Mithu, an interactive bot, greets users at the Tipline and collects content that is false, sexist, and misogynistic in nature which can be in the form of text, pictures, videos and audio. To share content on the Tipline all one needs to do is share links or the content itself on the WhatsApp number and their response will be recorded by Mithu. With the upcoming elections, there will be a rise of disinformation particularly targeting women politicians, journalists and human rights defenders which will translate into offline spaces. The WhatsApp tipline is a step to counter these harmful narratives stemming from social media platforms in such a crucial democratic moment. 

DRF’s Nighat Dad noted, ‘We’re seeing a rise in harmful content online particularly with respect to gendered disinformation with the use of false information manipulating the masses and the use of sexist and misogynistic narratives that are perpetuating harms. These attacks are well coordinated and planned and seem to be adding to offline harms of individuals, particularly women human rights defenders and journalists. The tipline is one step towards documenting these and ensuring to make Hamara Internet a safer space for all.’

Digital Rights Foundation is a registered research-based NGO in Pakistan. Founded in 2012, DRF focuses on ICTs to support human rights, inclusiveness, democratic processes, and digital governance. DRF works on issues of online free speech, privacy, data protection and online violence against women.

QR Code for Disinformation Whatsapp Tipline

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November 2, 2023 - Comments Off on Digital Rights Foundation relaunches ‘Ab Aur Nahin’, a pro bono online portal for women seeking legal representation

Digital Rights Foundation relaunches ‘Ab Aur Nahin’, a pro bono online portal for women seeking legal representation

Lahore, November 2, 2023: Digital Rights Foundation (DRF) is relaunching ‘Ab Aur Nahin’, a pro bono online portal for women seeking legal representation and psychological counselling in cases of harassment and gender-based violence. The website works by linking victims/survivors to helpful resources and connecting them with qualified and experienced pro bono lawyers so they receive all the help they need to combat the cycle of violence and abuse.

The aim of "Ab Aur Nahin" is to assist women in taking legal action against perpetrators. Women are discouraged due to a lack of resources and victim-blamed for reporting repeated gender-based violence they face in online and offline spaces. The portal Ab Aur Nahin currently has over 23 lawyers from across Pakistan, with diverse backgrounds. The portal will be expanding its database further in the future to include more lawyers from across the country. DRF recognizes the need for survivors experiencing gender-based violence to have holistic support, which is why the portal includes resources for mental health counseling.

DRF’s Executive Director Nighat Dad on the launch of the portal stated, “Women’s access to legal services and consultations are limited mainly due to shortage of funds and lack of institutional support. Ab Aur Nahin provides women the avenues to report and seek advice related to gender based violence whether online or offline to institutions. It is important that we provide support to survivors in their times of crisis and put an end to the ongoing femicide in the country.”

The Ab Aur Nahin portal has included lawyers from diverse backgrounds and geographic locations to ensure that access to legal services isn’t restricted and limited. DRF’s Cyber Harassment Helpline has been witness to the lack of institutional support and holistic support for women facing technology facilitated gender based violence in the country. The helpline since the six years of it’s operations has received a total number of 14,376 complaints with 59% of these complaints being from women. The Ab Aur Nahin portal is a step towards ensuring that women get effective legal representation and services when fighting against gender-based violence in Pakistan.

Digital Rights Foundation is a registered research-based NGO in Pakistan. Founded in 2012, DRF focuses on ICTs to support human rights, inclusiveness, democratic processes, and digital governance. DRF works on issues of online free speech, privacy, data protection and online violence against women.

For more information log on: https://abaurnahin.pk/

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Nighat Dad
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Seerat Khan
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Anam Baloch
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October 29, 2023 - Comments Off on Digital Rights Foundation and Deputy Commissioner Lahore District Administration sign a MoU to conduct Hamara Internet Mahfooz Internet Digital Literacy and Safety Sessions

Digital Rights Foundation and Deputy Commissioner Lahore District Administration sign a MoU to conduct Hamara Internet Mahfooz Internet Digital Literacy and Safety Sessions

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE
October 28, 2023

Lahore: Digital Rights Foundation (DRF) and Deputy Commissioner (DC) of the Lahore District Administration Rafia Haider signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on a series of upcoming digital safety and literacy sessions for young adults titled, ‘Hamara Internet Mahfooz Internet’.

As Pakistan's digital transformation accelerates, DRF has recognized the critical need for digital literacy amongst young adults. Millions of Pakistan's young people are active internet users and are unaware of the emerging digital threats they face on the internet.  These series of workshops come under the flagship project of Hamara Internet. Through these workshops DRF aims to educate and build the capacity of young adults particularly in public schools of Lahore. DC Lahore Ms. Rafia and DRF’s Executive Director Nighat Dad signed the MoU and shed light on the importance of this collaboration for public schools in Lahore’s district.

DC Lahore Ms. Rafia added, ‘This is a great initiative particularly for public sector schools since conversations around online safety and digital literacy are still relatively new and used to happen in private schools mostly. We hope these sessions will be a learning curve for students and teachers who we plan to engage through the Hamara Internet project.’
DRF’s Executive Director Nighat Dad added, ‘ This has been a passion project for DRF for quite some time now since we wanted to normalize conversations around digital rights for everyone and not just a few. We see this as the first step of many of educating people regarding their online safety and ensuring that hamara (our) internet is safe for all.’

Through this pilot project, DRF aims to work with the DC office to build the capacity of students and teachers alike on key digital literacy themes like online safety, ethics of using social media, misinformation and disinformation and support mechanisms in place for young adults in case of cyberbullying and harassment.

Digital Rights Foundation is a registered research-based NGO in Pakistan. Founded in 2012, DRF focuses on ICTs to support human rights, inclusiveness, democratic processes, and digital governance. DRF works on issues of online free speech, privacy, data protection and online violence against women.

For more information log on: www.digitalrightsfoundation.pk 

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Nighat Dad
[email protected]

Seerat Khan
[email protected]

Anam Baloch
[email protected]