EDRi-gram, 10 February 2021
This edition of the EDRi-gram is jam packed full of national and European insights and examples on how our data and tech is being misused by those in power and what we must do about it! In this edition we showcase another example of how governments in Europe are using discriminatory biometric technologies against marginalised groups. We expose how Big Tech continues to make big profit by expanding into the public sphere, share why breaking encryption would hurt children and adults alike and much more.
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The companies in control of our secret identities
EDRi member Privacy International published a research on ad tech companies' data collection practices which are employed to create an assumed picture of you. The study shows that...
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Member in the Spotlight: Digitalcourage
Digitalcourage advocates for fundamental rights, privacy and protecting personal data. It wants to shape technology and politics with a focus on human dignity. It works against a society...
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12 benchmarks for the reform and oversight of intelligence services in Austria
EDRi member epicenter.works presents the benchmarks against which the new reform of the Austrian Federal Agency for State Protection and Counterterrorism must be measured. With these criteria, guided strongly...
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Huawei captures Balkan’s hearts and minds
EDRi member Citizen D reveals Huawei's lobbying practices in Slovenia, where media outliets are siding with the Chinese tech company, whilst ignoring the company's human rights violations in...
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Chilling use of face recognition at Italian borders shows why we must ban biometric mass surveillance
As part of Reclaim Your Face's investigation in rights-violating deployments of biometric mass surveillance, EDRi member Hermes Center explains how the Italian Police are deploying dehumanising biometric systems...
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How to Reclaim Your Face From Clearview AI
The Hamburg Data Protection Authority deemed Clearview AI’s biometric photo database illegal in the EU as a result of a complaint Matthias Marx, a member of the Chaos...
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Polish law on “protecting the freedoms of social media users” will do exactly the opposite
EDRi member Panoptykon Foundation carefully analyses the Polish law on “the protection of freedoms of social media users” which turns out to introduce data retention, a new, questionable...
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We want more than “symbolic” gestures in response to discriminatory algorithms
In an escalating scandal over child benefits, over 26.000 families were wrongly accused of fraud by the Dutch tax authority. Families were forced to repay tens of thousands...
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How Big Tech maintains its dominance
As Big Tech deepens its dominance into new public domains, major issues arise around fundamental rights, democracy and justice. This article reflects the conversation that took place at...
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Wiretapping children’s private communications: Four sets of fundamental rights problems for children (and everyone else)
On 27 July 2020, the European Commission published a Communication on an EU strategy for a more effective fight against child sexual abuse material (CSAM). As a long-term...
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#PrivacyCamp21: Event Summary
The theme of the 9th edition of Privacy Camp was "Digital rights for change: Reclaiming infrastructures, repairing the future" and included thirteen sessions on a variety of topics....
Recommended
Do: Steps to control your digital privacy, security, and wellbeing
Producer: Tactical tech
Here’s a wonderful breakdown of simple steps that you can take today to control your digital privacy, security, and wellbeing in ways that feel right to you.
Listen: Podcast: Big Tech’s unchecked power
Producer: The Prof G Show with Scott Galloway
Lina Khan, an associate professor of law at Columbia Law School, joins Scott to discuss the latest around Big Tech’s unchecked power and the broader effects of monopolistic behavior on the economy.
Read: The future of data protection: what we expect in 2021
Producer: Access Now
Data protection is about making sure that your information is safe online. It is ensuring that you know who is seeing it and why, and that you keep control of it. We have identified five key issues that will be making headlines this year. These are things we must keep an eye on to defend the right to privacy and protect our personal data.
Watch: Stories of Digital Rights Activism
Stories are important because they show us the real impact of tech on our lives. At #PrivacyCamp21 Nigerian activist Gabriel Olátúnjí shares his experience of how privacy, technology and security have gone hand in hand to help organise against oppressive governments and how they have helped activist organise and challenge violence on the ground.
Events
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The UK’s Privatised Migration Surveillance Regime
EDRi's member Privacy International (PI) has recently published a research on the UK's privatised migration surveillance regime. Join this online event co-organised with the Migration and Technology Monitor...
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Decolonising Data
During its Annual Strategy Meeting 2021, Digital Freedom Fund (DFF) will host a panel on Decolonising Data, as part of the broader decolonising process led by DFF and...
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Balancing Trust and Safety in an Encrypted World
Stanford Internet Observatory Workshop Series organises a series of workshops on end-to-end encryption.
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MozFest 2021
MozFest is a unique hybrid: part art, tech and society convening, part maker festival, and the premiere gathering for activists in diverse global movements fighting for a more...
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3rd Workshop on obfuscation
TU Delft and Cornell Tech organise the online event Obfuscation strategies which represent creative ways to evade surveillance, protect privacy, improve security; as well as protest, contest, resist...
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Data for Policy 2021
The sixth International Data for Policy Conference will take place in London in September 2021. The conference series is the premier global forum for multiple disciplinary and cross-sector...
Jobs
European AI Fund | Programme Officer | Brussels | deadline: until filled
The Engine Room | IT Infrastructures Admin; Technical Project Manager | Remote | deadline: 23.02.2021
TechnoServe | Environmental Sustainability Technical Expert Consultancy | Remote | deadline: ASAP
CitizenLab | Community Marketer; Business Development Lead | Belgium; Germany | deadline: until filled
Ada’s List | CEO | UK | deadline: 22.02.2021
Mozilla | Common Voice Community Manager; HR Generalist | Multiple locations | deadline: until filled
Access Now | RightsCon Communications Manager | Multiple locations | deadline: until filled
HateAid | Policy and Advocacy Officer EU | Berlin | deadline: until filled
Brave | Privacy Engineer & Project Manager | Remote | deadline: until filled