Stories about Technology from November, 2015
Bangladesh Keeps Blocking Social Media, Threatens New Surveillance Tactics
With the lack of accountability shown by the government, a move towards more stringent controls of the Internet is worrying for the state of free expression in the country.
Russia Considers Tougher Restrictions on Mobile SIM-Card Sales
You already need a passport to buy a prepaid SIM-card in Russia, but regulators want to further restrict SIM-card sales, citing security reasons and the increasing "terrorist threat."
Are Russian News Media Getting a Boost from Retweet Bots on Twitter?
Analysis indicates the retweet and favorite counts of some of Russia's top news agencies are seemingly being artificially inflated by hundreds of Twitter bots.
Taiwanese Netizens Make the Most of Chinese Users’ Brief Facebook Visit
"This is so counterproductive I almost died laughing. This whole thing simply helps Tsai Ing-wen's campaign"
Five Top Tweets: Iranians Ridicule Censorship on the ‘Filternet’
Iranian Internet users hurled sarcasm, profanity and snark at the country's "filternet" after recent blocking of the Telegram messaging app.
Netizen Report: Bangladesh Bans Facebook and Chat Apps on ‘Security Grounds’
Bangladesh accidentally shuts down the Internet, hip-hop gets the boot on Chinese streaming sites, and Twitter faces new data dilemmas in Russia.
New Bill Urges Ban on WhatsApp and Google for Russian Officials
Banning the use of foreign services such as Google, Yahoo!, and WhatApp for Russian state officials is key to preserving confidentiality of state secrets, says one Russian lawmaker.
Inside Big Brother: How Russians Created the ‘Red Web’
In a special report for RuNet Echo, Darya Luganskaya speaks to Andrei Soldatov about his new book with Irina Borogan about the past, present, and future of Russian Internet censorship.
After Blasts That Killed 43 People, Lebanon Asks: ‘What About Us?’
Tragedy hit both Beirut and Paris, with bombings claimed by ISIS. While Parisians gets a "safety check" feature on Facebook, the Lebanese are asking why have they been left out.
Unearthing Local Stories on the Russian-Language Internet
While a lot of open-source research on the RuNet is possible thanks to broad Internet searches, sometimes it’s best to drill down to the narrowest sources available.
Russia Changes Its Mind, Asks Twitter to Store Russian User Data Locally
Previously, Roscomnadzor had said Twitter was exempt from the norms of the data localization law as the kind of user data Twitter collects did not qualify as “personal information."
Netizen Report: UN Authorities Pluck Protesters from Global Internet Conference in Brazil
The UN fails to walk the walk on free expression, Tanzanians face prosecution over WhatsApp messages, and the UK rolls out a new surveillance bill that is 'worse than scary'.
Four Tanzanians Charged for Publishing Political Information on WhatsApp
Four other Tanzanians have been arrested and charged for political comments they made using the messaging service WhatsApp.
On Net Freedom Report in Africa, The Gambia Scores Poorly
The Gambia, the tiny West African state, is the second worst when it comes to internet freedom in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Facebook Vows to Improve Real Name Policy. But How Far Will They Go?
Facebook says it will make some small changes to the real name policy in an effort to help keep users safe, but there is still much more to be done.
Netizen Report: The Mexican Cybercrime Law That Wasn’t
Global Voices Advocacy's Netizen Report offers an international snapshot of challenges, victories, and emerging trends in Internet rights around the world.
Mozambicans Start a Petition Against the High Cost of Internet
Prices for internet access have jumped after Mozambique´s National Communication Institute (INCM) cut subsidies to local internet providers by 75%, undermining government's supposed pro-internet position.
