Zara is a feminist, writer and information activist, living in Berlin, Germany.
Latest posts by Zara Rahman
19 December 2016
In Addition to Innovation, Journalism Needs Trusted Communities
A friend donates part of a grant to Global Voices, because "infrastructure, communities and trust take a long time to build—and without support, those gains can all too quickly disappear."
7 October 2016
Bangladesh Introduces ‘Smart’ National Identity Cards
Collecting massive amounts of personal and biometric data opens up thorny issues around security and surveillance. As the database is built up, who will gain access to it?
30 August 2016
There's Finally a Programming Language in Bengali Script, Thanks to ‘Potaka’
"We have been looking forward to a coding language in Bengali for a long time. Why should our higher learning and computer learning be in a foreign language?"
4 August 2016
Bangladesh Shuts Down the Internet, Then Orders Blocking of 35 News Websites
“As part of the ongoing exercise, all sorts of Internet connections will be suspended for a short period anytime at any place in the country.”
24 June 2016
Brexit: Heartbroken, But Not Broken
"Ignoring what's been going on in our country's politics is what got us here today. We were too uninvolved in decisions that have made a huge impact on our lives."
7 March 2016
Being Intentional About What's in Our Networks
"But here's the thing: I'm okay with disagreeing with things I see online. More than that even; I want to see things I disagree with online."
22 December 2015
Bangladesh Will Demand Biometric Data From All SIM Card Users
The scheme will create a massive database of citizens' communications data that could give the government unprecedented access to the mobile communications of Bangladeshi citizens.
30 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.
25 November 2015
With Messaging Apps Still Banned, Bangladeshis Turn to Tor (and Twitter)
It is not clear whether the government has blocked the Facebook portal or banned the use of Facebook altogether.
