Stories about Technology from July, 2017
Apple Removes Apps Offering Virtual Private Networks from Its China Store
"It represents the most drastic measure the Chinese government has taken to block the use of VPNs to date, and we are troubled to see Apple aiding China’s censorship efforts."
Philippines: On Facebook's Free Version, Fake News is Even Harder to Spot
Free Basics' limitations leave poorer users at a loss, giving them less access to useful information -- and little capacity to determine whether news is reliable or not.
In Macedonia, Geeks Create Free Accommodation Platform In Reaction to Hotel Price Hike for Super Cup Fans
A bunch of geeks who call themselves 'WeTalkIT' offered Manchester United and Real Madrid fans the means to find a free place to stay during Skopje's UEFA Super Cup.
Netizen Report: New Research Tests Facebook’s Digital ‘On Ramp’ for Developing Countries
Global Voices Advocacy's Netizen Report offers an international snapshot of challenges, victories, and emerging trends in Internet rights around the world.
Facebook’s Free Basics Doesn't Connect You to the Global Internet – But it Does Collect Your Data
Regardless of whether they log into Facebook, users of Free Basics are constantly sharing their data with Facebook.
Can Facebook Connect the Next Billion?
New research by Global Voices tech and digital rights experts in Colombia, Ghana, Kenya, Mexico, Pakistan and the Philippines exposes the ups and downs of Facebook's "Free Basics" app.
Is Free Basics Really Bringing More Africans Online? A Case Study From Ghana
A group of Global Voices contributors tested the Free Basics app in six countries across the globe this spring. Here's what we found in Ghana.
Arrest Over a Facebook Rant Brings Trinidad & Tobago's Cybercrime Legislation Into Sharp Focus
"Overbroad content offences are always illegitimate, but are particularly dangerous online, where many people are still in the process of discovering their voice."
Russia's Parliament Went on a Censorship Binge Today
The Kremlin is cracking down on online anonymity. Again.
Kyrgyzstan Blocks Archive.org on ‘Extremism’ Grounds
Russia also moved to block the website and its popular 'Wayback Machine' two years ago.
Netizen Report: Authorities in China and Indonesia Threaten Whatsapp, Telegram Over Political Content
Global Voices Advocacy's Netizen Report offers an international snapshot of challenges, victories, and emerging trends in Internet rights around the world.
A Water Weed Is Damaging Ethiopia's Largest Lake and Putting Livelihoods at Risk
The lake has become a symbol of the dire state of Ethiopia’s natural resources at a time when Ethiopia’s fast-growing population needs more of everything.
China's Xinjiang Residents Are Being Forced to Install Surveillance Apps on Mobile Phones
Local netizens reported that police officers at check points are randomly searching residents' devices to see if they have installed the surveillance app.
Netizen Report: Colombian Court Demands Password to Journalist’s Facebook Account
Mobile internet goes down again in Kashmir, Turkish human rights advocates are detained with no charges, and a Philippine Senator pushes anti-fake news bill.
For Syrian Refugees Living in Jordan, Journalism Offers Hope and Opportunity to Rebuild Their Homeland
For Syrian refugees in Jordan, Syrians Between Us provides the skills they need to tell their own stories.
Human Rights Defenders Are Still Behind Bars in Turkey
In a tweet on behalf of their staff, Amnesty International recalled their efforts to protect (Turkish President) Erdogan when he was arrested in 1998 during a stint as Istanbul's mayor.
Netizen Report: Working in the Public Interest Can Get You Arrested
Global Voices Advocacy's Netizen Report offers an international snapshot of challenges, victories, and emerging trends in Internet rights around the world.
Turkish Authorities Detain Top Human Rights Defenders at Training Workshop
"[These] people who have dedicated their lives to human rights. A day will come when they will stand for the rights of those behind these vile news stories."
In China's Ideological Battle, ‘King of Glory’ Game is a Top Target
Chinese Communist Party media are concerned about the game's storyline, which they say "subverts Chinese history."
‘En Mi Idioma’ Allows Colombian Indigenous Communities to Contribute Online Language Lessons
"...for many years we have been and continue to be an oral-based culture, but as a survival strategy we consider that it is important to build a written code."
The Internet Presents Opportunities and Challenges for Revitalizing Tasmania's Aboriginal Language
During British colonization of Tasmania which began in the early 1800s, the Aboriginal people living on the island located to the south of Australia’s mainland not only suffered loss of life, but also loss...