Stories about Technology
Digital apartheid and the use of social media algorithms in humanitarian crises
Big tech platforms extensively censor Palestinian voices, shadow banning them and their supporters, violating their rights to free speech, assembly, information access, political participation, and protection from discrimination.
How India’s increasing online scams are threatening the digital landscape
The proliferation of mobile phones and widespread adoption of digital transactions have created a large pool of people to be exploited by unemployed Indian scammers as a means of livelihood.
Digital Blackout: Systematic censorship of Palestinian voices
During the continuous Gaza bombardment and worsening humanitarian crisis, Palestinians face a communication blackout and tech censorship, hindering access to crucial information and the documentation of human rights violations.
Trinidad & Tobago's state telecommunications provider is hacked, raising questions about data protection laws
Social media users were getting panicky about their personal data being released onto the dark web, even as cybersecurity experts were saying there was nothing to be done about it.
Fraudsters impersonate African Union chair using AI
Deepfakes, the technology exploited by cybercriminals, are increasingly gaining popularity in Africa and are sometimes utilized to disseminate misinformation and propaganda on the continent.
At a crucial time for global crises, X (formerly Twitter) dilutes its violent speech policy
X has softened its violent speech policy significantly, decreasing both the scope of its provision on violent speech as well as the consequences imposed when such speech is detected.
How to use social media to win an election: Influencers from Kenya’s 2022 election explain
Interviews with three sources hired by President William Ruto’s political party as online influencers for Kenya’s last election in September 2022, reveal a kind of playbook for the use and abuse of social media during elections.
The UK and Sri Lanka: A comparison of two online safety bills
Human rights defender Sajini Wickramasinghe analyses the UK online safety bill to explain how certain serious concerns in the impending Sri Lankan bill can be addressed and tackled.
Legislating technology and the internet: Interview with Internet Society's Callum Voge
There are four main principles that we, with our community, identified as key for the internet: it must be open, global, secure, and trustworthy.
The ongoing conflict's impact on ICT and digital transformation efforts in Sudan
The conflict has had a significant impact on many data centers as operators have lost access to their data and facilities, leading to the failure of several essential internet-related services.
The role of AI in Russia's invasion of Ukraine: Interview with expert Anton Tarasyuk
To understand how AI shapes an asymmetric war in Ukraine against a much larger Russian aggressor, Global Voices talked to Anton Tarasyuk, a data and AI expert based in Kyiv.
Mexican government faces criticism for blocking portions of the safe internet
"Blocking entire sections of the internet based on the outdated belief that all Tor network traffic is indistinguishable or malicious is a mistake," the Tor Project spokesperson said.
Iraqi Assyrians struggle for freedom of expression amid political and extremist threats
Ongoing oppression, ethnic and sectarian conflicts, and political unrest have greatly reduced the Middle East's Assyrian community, endangering their 3000-year-old Assyrian language in its native Middle Eastern home.
Breaking down India's new data protection law: Good, bad, or ugly?
While the previous versions of the law have been criticised for not doing enough, the DPDP Act gives the government the power to grant blanket exemptions to any government, or government body.
Facebook’s news retreat: A death knell for independent MENA local news
Facebook's evolving relationship with the news industry, algorithm adjustments, and their repercussions on local media outlets add complexity to the landscape of news dissemination, particularly affecting smaller, independent media outlets.
In China, questions remain ahead of Huawei’s launch of the Mate 60 phone series
As China's Huawei launches its new phone brand, Mate 60, questions over the origins of their processing chips and the timing of the launch remain.
The government of Bangladesh quietly passed the new Cyber Security Act 2023
The Bangladesh parliament passed the new Cyber Security Act 2023 after scrapping its predecessor, the controversial Digital Security Act, 2018. The new law poses similar threats to the freedom of expression.
Why do ‘Bart Simpson’ and ‘Monkey D. Luffy’ have registered SIM cards in the Philippines?
"The SIM registration law cannot be “fixed” without having serious implications on our right to privacy and communication."
The complex historical tapestry of media and music in Sudan
Sudan's media has faced political influence and censorship, from radio's promotion of music to state-controlled television and print media challenges. However, private radio stations offer alternative voices, signaling potential progress.
How Kurdish language divisions hinder access to information
The ongoing disputes among Kurdish languages and their lack of standardization create obstacles to accessing online information, impedes the flow of information, and curtails active participation in the digital realm.
In Russia, authorities filter information and algorithms help them
Social networks want their users to spend more time on their platforms, to leave a more extensive digital footprint that can be used for various purposes.