Issue #14

press freedom worldwide & civil rights in India

Daniel Krueger
May 05, 2023

Welcome back to TheBetterWeb newsletter!

This is the round-up of my Better Web week. Five links show you what, in my opinion, has been important for change makers in the last few days.

I write about tech, tools and politics for a progressive world. If you are an activist or trying to make the world a better place, I provide you with information and references for your daily business.

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And here we go.

1. What happened this week?

World Press Freedom Day

A group of organizations and individuals have condemned the use of spyware against journalists and media workers and called for a moratorium on digital surveillance technologies. The use of spyware violates fundamental rights and has been used to target journalists investigating corruption and human rights violations in several countries. Unfortunately, it has to be said that activists are also affected and will be even stronger in the future.

Joint statement: States must take immediate action to stop spyware threatening press freedom - Access Now

Access Now and partners call on states to take immediate action to stop spyware threatening press freedom.

www.accessnow.org/press-release/spyware-press-freedom-statement

2. Campaigning

How to plan a campaign?

If you're just about to start a campaign, here are some tools to help you. This is a very useful collection from Campaign Bootcamp.

Planning your First Campaign: Everyday Activism Handout Pack

Are you planning your first campaign? This Handout is designed to give you the skills and confidence to run your first campaign.

commonslibrary.org/planning-your-first-campaign-everyday-activism-handout-pack

3. Coming soon

The RightsCon 2023

The organizers published the program three weeks ago. As you will see, the who's who of the human rights and tech scene meet here. Politicians are also well-represented. Although this is very exciting, I wonder if RightsCon is slowly becoming a kind of Davos from the left. 😀

RightsCon Costa Rica registration is open!

This post gives an overview of the registration options for RightsCon Costa Rica (June 5-8, 2023), including guidance on free and discounted tickets.

www.rightscon.org/program/#session-list

4. WTF?

India bans Element

At Acter, we use Element and appreciate its end-2-end encryption and decentralized organization. Now Element has been banned in India. Probably precisely because of these properties. In India, civil rights are becoming more and more of an issue.

India bans flagship client for the Matrix network

Element is one of 14 messaging apps blocked by the Central Indian Government which - we believe from media reports - relates to Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000.

element.io/blog/india-bans-flagship-client-for-the-matrix-network

5. Online Privacy & Security

20+ cyber security experts share the best tools

I cannot stress enough how important the protection of identity and data is today. This applies to those who are socially and politically committed, just as it does to every single person, especially kids. Here you will find a large selection of tools for all questions of online security.

25 Experts Share The Best Tools For Online Privacy & Safety Protection

In this expert roundup, 25 cybersecurity experts share the best tools you can use for online privacy and safety protection.

www.websiterating.com/online-security/online-privacy-security-experts-roundup/#what-are-the-top-three-best-tools-you-use-for-online-privacy-and-security

Just nice!

What if Wes Anderson directed Star Wars?

This trailer envisions Star Wars in the colorful visual aesthetic and quirky characters of the Wes Anderson style. Would you watch it?

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See you next week!