"What we lacked was a set of simple instructions that could help navigate the workflows and procedures of a digital security helpline, while focusing on the specific demand of offering a service to groups that are often underfunded, understaffed, non-hierarchical and exposed to disproportionate thre
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ats and the consequent risk of post-traumatic stress disorder among their staff or volunteers. In publishing this guide we aim to fill this gap, enabling smaller organisations and grassroots groups to set up a team to respond to the digital safety needs of the people they work and fight with. It can be read by techies who want to organise and join forces to help their movement, but also by managers and organisers, who can follow the steps outlined in the initial chapters to start planning the creation of a digital security help desk for civil society and then look for people with a technical background to staff their help desk during the implementation phase." (Introduction, page 10)
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"Research into the impact of social media use (SMU) on wellbeing (e.g., happiness) and ill-being (e.g., depression) has exploded over the past few years. From 2019 to August 2021, 27 reviews have been published: nine meta-analyses, nine systematic reviews, and nine narrative reviews, which together
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included hundreds of empirical studies. The aim of this umbrella review is to synthesize the results of these metaanalyses and reviews. Even though the meta-analyses are supposed to rely on the same evidence base, they yielded disagreeing associations with well- and ill-being, especially for time spent on SM, active SMU, and passive SMU. This umbrella review explains why their results disagree, summarizes the gaps in the literature, and ends with recommendations for future research." (Abstract)
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"This Policy Brief examines the different ways in which big data collection serves autocratic agendas by hiding the oppressive potential of heightened surveillance through promises of enhanced safety, convenience, and modernisation. Political actors with autocratic agendas can package their governan
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ce agenda via these promises of big data to bolster their legitimacy as leaders and avoid backlash for their invasive policies. The paper explores case studies illustrating that in some cases citizens welcome or do not object to invasive policies when autocrats frame the collection of private information as enhancing citizen safety and convenience. The paper then unpacks how the narrative push for digital solutionism and technology optimism unwittingly serves autocratic agendas. Finally, recommendations are provided for policymakers and civil society organisations seeking to resist the sinister alliance of big data and autocratic repression or what some have rightfully called, “digital dictatorships.'' Understanding the facets of big data that make them a crucial cog in autocratic governance can better aid civil society organisations and multilateral democratic institutions to combat the threat of data-driven autocracy." (Abstract)
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"This article starts by taking a closer look at the general characteristics of China’s digital economy. Some of its strengths and weaknesses are further illustrated by two relevant case studies. First, we show that China is a front runner in the digitalisation of financial services (digital paymen
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t systems, new forms of credit) and the development of its central bank digital currency. Conversely, in a second case study, we find that China has been much less successful at mastering the cutting-edge technologies needed to produce the most advanced semiconductors, leaving China dependent on foreign suppliers of such critical technologies. In the second part of the article, we look at China’s unique policy approach towards fostering innovation-driven economic growth and president Xi Jinping’s vision for the digital economy. The third and final part gives an overview of the most important policy actions undertaken by the US and the EU in response to China’s rise as a digital power." (Introduction)
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"The intention of this Brief is to support sports organizations – clubs and associations at both the grassroots and professional levels – to better protect children online. It aims to help:
– Develop a dedicated child online protection strategy and policy, which can be integrated into existin
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g child protection frameworks or guidelines and into child-friendly statements.
– Develop specific procedures and codes of conduct to promote safe online practices for children, young people and staff (e.g. for the use of videoconferencing platforms, social networks and Wi-Fi services).
– Define a protection focal point to receive reports and complaints from victims of online violence and establish mechanisms to respond effectively, linking victims to the appropriate support and referral services.
– Provide capacity building for children, coaches, parents, educators and staff, and support efforts towards the development of their digital skills." (Page 2)
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"This report presents findings from a country assessment undertaken to facilitate digital financial inclusion in Ethiopia and gives an overview of the current digital financial services landscape in the country. It also identifies some of the barriers to digital financial inclusion and suggests how
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they might be removed." (Executive summary)
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"Double-digit annual growth has taken the global social media user figure to 4.62 billion, and current trends indicate that it will equal 60 percent of the world’s total population within the next few months. COVID-19 continues to hamper research into internet adoption though, resulting in reporti
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ng delays that have kept overall growth in internet user figures down for the second year in a row. Despite these challenges, however, the latest data reveal that the number of people who don’t use the internet has now fallen below 3 billion, marking another important milestone on our journey towards equal digital access for all. Meanwhile, at 4.95 billion, we’re also tantalisingly close to reaching a global total of 5 billion internet users, and I’m looking forward to celebrating that particular milestone with you in one of our upcoming Statshot reports. As always, the data in this year’s reports goes well beyond user numbers though, and our latest collection offers some especially interesting insights into the world’s evolving online behaviours. For example, TikTok users spent an average of 48 percent more time using the platform’s mobile app over the past 12 months compared with the previous year, while YouTube users now spend almost a full day each month watching videos in the platform’s app." (Page 3)
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"In January 2022, Kazakhstan’s government shut down internet access for several days while enacting a violent crackdown on initially peaceful protests triggered by hikes in fuel prices. This policy brief examines Kazakhstan’s internet and media landscape, the (re)actions of civil society and the
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state, and the factors that set the stage for this extreme act of digital repression, which created a disturbing precedent for the country and the Eurasia region more broadly. The paper concludes by briefly exploring the potential implications for Kazakhstan’s governance, economic development, and collective memory nearly a year on from the events." (Abstract)
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"Cet ouvrage s’intéresse aux relations qu’entretiennent les GAFAM (Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon, Microsoft) et les médias en Afrique. Il aborde tout d’abord les réseaux sociaux numériques comme terrains d’amplifi cation et de transformation de diffusion de l’information et questionn
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e leur utilisation pour la diffusion de fausses informations et la remise en cause de la légitimité des médiateurs traditionnels de l’information. Il se consacre ensuite aux relations entretenues sur les plans éditorial, socioéconomique et sociotechnique par les plateformes et les médias, et y observe un certain opportunisme des médias et une domination des plateformes. Enfi n, il s’intéresse au rôle joué par l’État à travers la régulation et les nouvelles lois qui intègrent les médias numériques mais mettent aussi en lumière les diffi cultés liées à l’implémentation d’un véritable cadre régulatoire." (Dos de couverture)
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