"Internet freedom has declined for the sixth consecutive year, with more governments than ever before targeting social media and communication apps as a means of halting the rapid dissemination of information, particularly during antigovernment protests. Public-facing social media platforms like Fac
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ebook and Twitter have been subject to growing censorship for several years, but in a new trend, governments increasingly target messaging and voice communication apps such as WhatsApp and Telegram. These services are able to spread information and connect users quickly and securely, making it more difficult for authorities to control the information landscape or conduct surveillance. The increased controls show the importance of social media and online communication for advancing political freedom and social justice. It is no coincidence that the tools at the center of the current crackdown have been widely used to hold governments accountable and facilitate uncensored conversations." (Page 1)
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"In the religious sector, for centuries, pilgrimages have been a clear example of mass events of a spiritual nature. Due to globalization and increased mobility, recent times have seen the multiplication of international events without a fixed location: Taizé encounters, Kumbh Mela (India), and Wor
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ld Youth Day are all good examples of this. These events imply at least a threefold spiritual, organizational and touristic challenge, and success in each one of these areas contributes to the favourable result of the others. Due to the particular nature of these events, which can mobilize millions of people in just a few days, communication is fundamental. In this sense, the development of mobile technology allows for direct communication with the individual and an unprecedented capacity for diffusion, especially by means of apps and instant messaging, which are two of the most-used channels available on these devices. This paper offers a reflection on the prospects and management of information via smartphones during these large religious events. As a practical case, we will study the beatification of the Catholic bishop Álvaro del Portillo held in Madrid in September 2014, in a ceremony that drew more than 250,000 people from over 70 countries." (Abstract)
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"This article examines the targets and activities of mobile app developers in two Latin American economies – Argentina and Bolivia – analysing the political, social and economic conditions that connect or disconnect app developers and the interests of local users. Findings suggest that app distr
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ibution platforms do not favour local markets and that app developers largely focus on custom-design projects for commercial firms." (Abstract)
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"This project is conducted in response to Global Disaster Preparedness Center’s (GDPC) initiative of developing flood hazard preparedness mobile apps in the four target countries (Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Vietnam)." (Executive summary)
"The aim of this handbook is to collect and share the knowledge and experience from the designers’, developers’, teachers’, and students’ views and provide suggestions and advice for future mobile teaching and learning programs. This book includes six sections: design, development, adoption,
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collaboration, evaluation, and future of mobile teaching and learning technology in education. It includes different projects and practices across different countries and different cultures. The book provides in-depth background information and cases studies in high-technology teaching and learning and future expectations for new technology in higher education. The variety of projects and programs running in different countries helps boost innovation and discussion in future projects and practices. It also provides guidelines for future design and development of mobile applications for higher education." (Preface)
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