Global South

Report and Analysis

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Exclusion and identity: life without ID

Photo credit: Francisco Javier Argel Questions of identification and ID, with their associated privacy risks, are only increasing. There are multiple dimensions to understanding the impact of ID and identification; a key one is to understand how it can exclude. This is why Privacy International is

Report

Perception Survey on Communication Surveillance and Privacy of Human Rights Defenders in Kenya

In December 2018, the National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders-Kenya published a report analysing the needs and concerns of human rights defenders (HRD) in relation to privacy, data protection and communications surveillance. A summary of their findings is below. Access the full report on their

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Fintech’s dirty little secret? Lenddo, Facebook and the challenge of identity

Photo Credit: Max Pixel The fintech sector, with its data-intensive approach to financial services, faces a looming problem. Scandals such as Cambridge Analytica have brought public awareness about abuses involving the use of personal data from Facebook and other sources. Many of these are the same

Long Read

Cyber Security Awareness Month: Privacy and Security Must Go Together

Since 2004, October has been designated National Cyber Security Awareness Month in the United States. Many other countries have followed suit, as part of the effort to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity, and how we can all work together to improve it. However, cyber security (or

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Depiction of an earth globe with data around

Why and how GDPR applies to companies globally

The European Union's new data privacy law (General Data Protection Regulation, better known as GDPR) takes effect today May 25th, 2018, after a two-year transition period. Despite some companies appearing to believe otherwise, and many articles misrepresenting its contents, the GDPR will have a

Report

Investigating Privacy Implications Of Biometric Voter Registration In Kenya’s 2017 Election Process

The use of biometric technology in political processes, i.e. the use of peoples’ physical and behavioural characteristics to authenticate claimed identity, has swept across the African region, with 75% of African countries adopting one form or other of biometric technology in their electoral

News

7th March 2019

Podcast: Trans identity in Manila

7th March 2019

Podcast: Sex and the Cyber

12th February 2019

One of the UN's largest aid programmes just signed a deal with the CIA-backed data monolith Palantir

9th December 2018

Podcast: Fighting for Abortion in the 21st Century

7th August 2018

Statement: R2K and PI join amaBhungane RICA challenge as amicus curiae

7th August 2018

A Very Secret Ballot: A Case Study on the Electoral Process in Kenya

11th July 2018

Lone Voices Leading the Way: How Civil Society in Africa is Successfully Countering Government Narratives on Cyber Security

18th June 2018

Guía Básica de Seguridad Digital para Startups

Examples of Abuse

Want to know how this translate in the real world? Here is the latest example in the news.

Startups use behavioural data and smartphone habits for credit scoring

In October 2018, the Singapore-based startup LenddoEFL was one of a group of microfinance startups aimed at the developing world that used non-traditional types of data such as behavioural traits and smartphone habits for credit scoring. Lenddo's algorithm uses numerous data points, including the

See more examples of abuse

Our Advocacy

After the Gold Rush: Developing Cyber Security Frameworks and Cyber Crime Legislation to Safeguard Privacy and Security

Both “cyber security” and “cyber crime” are terms widely used but often poorly understood. This briefing provides an overview of terminology, concepts and trends in addressing cyber security and cyber crime. It describes the differences between them and associated challenges for the protection of peoples’ security and their human rights. It also highlights key elements and examples from cyber security frameworks and cyber crime legislation globally. The aim is to provide a basis for government and civil society to have an informed, evidence-based and constructive discussion of the effect of different approaches to cyber security and cyber crime, to arrive at frameworks and laws that protect both security and human rights.