Digital Rights Primer - Revision history

Andrea: /* Security Vendors */

2026-01-16T10:14:16Z

Security Vendors

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	=== '''Security Vendors''' ===		=== '''Security Vendors''' ===
	* [https://www.radicalsecurity.io/ Radical Security]		* [https://www.radicalsecurity.io/ Radical Security]
	----<big>~~Some~~ of the following actors are '''not''' inherently pro–digital rights, ~~while others~~ have played key roles in advancing privacy and security standards. All, however, shape global digital governance.</big>		----<big>While some of the following actors are '''not''' inherently pro–digital rights, some have played key roles in advancing privacy and security standards. All, however, shape global digital governance.</big>

	==== '''Multistakeholder and Intergovernmental Bodies''' ====		==== '''Multistakeholder and Intergovernmental Bodies''' ====

Sandy: /* History: How Did Digital Rights Start? */

2026-01-14T14:45:30Z

History: How Did Digital Rights Start?

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	=='''History: How Did Digital Rights Start?'''==		=='''History: How Did Digital Rights Start?'''==
	Digital Rights evolved alongside the growth of technology and the Internet. The [[wikipedia:History_of_the_Internet\|massification of the Internet began in the 90’s]]. ~~While~~ this ~~brought incredible improvements, it also~~ marked the rise of online surveillance, censorship, and the privatization of digital resources. ~~Around this time, people started~~ to recognize ~~the importance of protecting various~~ rights and freedoms in the digital realm, ~~similar to those~~ in the physical world.		[[File:GG 2023, a person trying a virtual reality device.png\|thumb\|442x442px]]
			Digital Rights evolved alongside the growth of technology and the Internet. The [[wikipedia:History_of_the_Internet\|massification of the Internet began in the 90’s]], bringing unprecedented opportunities for communication, access to information, and innovation. At the same time, this period marked the rise of online surveillance, censorship, and the privatization of digital resources. These developments led early observers to recognize that fundamental rights and freedoms needed protection in the digital realm, just as they do in the physical world.

	~~For the most part~~, in the ~~early days, most people that instigated this~~ movement ~~were part of technology groups, particularly~~ open source ~~technology~~ communities~~, which~~ were also ~~core~~ to movements ~~like~~ Internet Freedom and Free Culture. ~~This is because they~~ were ~~also~~ the first to ~~see~~ the ~~rise~~ of cyber threats, data breaches, and privacy violations ~~that showcased~~ the need ~~for protecting~~ personal information online.		In its earliest stages, the digital rights movement was largely driven by technologists—particularly those involved in open-source communities. These communities were also central to adjacent movements such as Internet Freedom and Free Culture. Technologists were among the first to witness the emergence of cyber threats, data breaches, and privacy violations, which highlighted the urgent need to protect personal information and freedom of expression online.

	~~Not surprisingly, many of the earliest people addressing~~ digital rights ~~challenges~~, ~~were technologists that were part of communities~~ such as the [[wikipedia:2600:_The_Hacker_Quarterly\|2600 hacker group, which published a popular magazine]] ~~that covered~~ digital rights issues~~, or adjacent issues such as~~ freedom of information and expression ~~and speech~~. ~~They also~~ played a ~~key~~ role in promoting security ~~awareness among the public~~, ~~and emphasized~~ the importance of understanding ~~security~~ vulnerabilities to protect against ~~potential~~ threats.		Many early digital rights advocates emerged from hacker and technical communities, such as the [[wikipedia:2600:_The_Hacker_Quarterly\|2600 hacker group, which published a popular magazine]] covering digital rights and related issues including freedom of information and expression. These communities played a crucial role in promoting public awareness around security, emphasizing the importance of understanding vulnerabilities in order to protect against emerging threats.

	~~Since then, many technologists~~, directly or indirectly ~~associated with~~ these ~~groups~~, ~~have played a leading role in creating “circumvention tools~~,~~” which are technology tools that circumvent surveillance~~ and ~~censorship~~.		Over time, technologists—often directly or indirectly connected to these early communities—led the development of “circumvention tools”: technologies designed to bypass surveillance, censorship, and information controls.

	'''<big>The 2000's and Now</big>'''		'''<big>The 2000's and Now</big>'''
			[[File:Marginalized Communities Impacted.png\|right\|frameless\|528x528px]]
			By the early 2000s, more social justice–oriented organizations began engaging with digital rights, as communities around the world increasingly experienced repression online. A significant milestone came in 2001, when the [https://www.apc.org/en/pubs/about-apc/apc-internet-rights-charter the Association of Progressive Communications (APC) published the Internet Rights charter] often described as an early “Internet Bill of Rights.” This effort helped bring traditional human rights organizations into digital rights debates. APC was particularly well positioned to do so, having been a pioneer in the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) within civil society.

	By the ~~early 2000’s we also began~~ to ~~see the involvement~~ of ~~more social justice oriented groups, as more communities throughout~~ the ~~world began to experience oppression online~~. ~~Notably~~, in ~~2001~~, ~~[https://www.apc.org/en/pubs/about-apc/apc-internet-~~rights~~-charter~~ the ~~Association of Progressive Communications (APC) published~~ the ~~Internet Rights charter], which served as an Internet Bill~~ of ~~Rights~~, ~~acted as a catalyst~~ to ~~introduce human rights groups into the discussion. APC was well situated for this~~, ~~given that it was considered a pioneer in the use of information~~ and ~~communication technology (ICT)~~ for ~~civil society~~.		Despite these developments, digital rights and the societal impacts of technology remained opaque to much of the general public and many non-technologists. Moreover, due to its origins in technical communities, the digital rights field inherited some of the same structural challenges found in the technology sector—most notably a lack of diversity and equity, high barriers to entry, and limited safe and inclusive spaces for marginalized groups.

	~~Despite these efforts, however~~, digital rights and the ~~impact~~ of ~~technology on societies continued~~ to ~~be enigmatic for the general public~~ and ~~non-technologists~~. ~~In addition, precisely because~~ of ~~its origin story~~, ~~the digital rights field itself also began inheriting many of the internal challenges found in the technology field: lack of diversity and equity~~, ~~a high barrier to entry~~, and ~~few safe and secure spaces for minority groups~~.		In the early 2010s, the digital rights field began to grow and professionalize, driven in part by significant government funding—mostly [https://2009-2017.state.gov/secretary/20092013clinton/rm/2010/01/135519.htm coming from the US]—directed toward Internet Freedom initiatives. A substantial portion of this funding supported open-source technologies, with code that was publicly accessible and licensed to promote reuse and collaboration. The underlying belief was that the free flow of information online could strengthen democratic societies by enabling accountability, innovation, creativity, and civic participation.

	In the early 2010s, we began to see the digital rights field begin to grow and professionalize as new and significant government money was being injected into Internet Freedom, mostly [https://2009-2017.state.gov/secretary/20092013clinton/rm/2010/01/135519.htm coming from the US]. A large percentage of ~~this money was directed to~~ funding ~~open source technology tools, which means the code~~ was ~~open for all to see and licensed under~~ a ~~copyleft license. The motivation behind this was~~ to ~~promote~~ the ~~free flow~~ and ~~access~~ to ~~information online, which the US government saw as the foundation of stronger democratic societies as they felt it helped citizens hold their government accountable~~, ~~generate new ideas~~, and ~~encourage creativity and entrepreneurship~~.		This influx of funding was also a response to the accelerating spread of online surveillance and censorship worldwide—a trend that has continued to intensify. Authoritarian actors increasingly invested in technologies designed to control, monitor, and repress digital communications.

	~~However~~, the ~~availability~~ of this ~~new US-backed funding was also in reaction~~ to ~~the rise~~ in ~~online~~ surveillance and ~~censorship across~~ the ~~world~~, ~~which has only worsened throughout~~ the ~~years. This is because authoritarian actors have continued to increase their investment into weaponizing technology to be a tool~~ of ~~oppression~~.		Around the same time, authoritarian regimes began to more fully recognize the political power of digital technologies. In some cases, this realization followed mass mobilizations enabled by digital tools, such as during the Arab Spring. In others, it led to deliberate investments in surveillance infrastructure and information control. While some regimes were late adopters, others moved early. China, for example, began developing what would become the Great Firewall in the late 1990s, establishing one of the most extensive systems of internet censorship and control in the world.

	~~Alternatively~~, ~~around this same time~~, ~~we also begin to see more~~ and ~~more authoritarian adversaries begin to “discover” digital~~. ~~Either because of~~ the ~~powerful mobilization capacity it provides their citizens (Arab Spring) or because they~~ began to ~~invest in tactics~~ and ~~strategies that allow them to weaponize the Internet and digital communications. However, some authoritarian regimes were early adopters. China,~~ for ~~example, began to develop their Great Firewall in the late 1990s, which represented extensive censorship and internet control measures.~~		== Growth, Diversification, and Today’s Challenges ==
			[[File:Technology is political.png\|thumb\|555x555px]]
			By around 2012, the digital rights community began making more intentional efforts to grow and diversify for two key reasons:

	~~By 2012~~, the digital rights ~~community began work~~ to ~~grow~~ and ~~diversify the community for two main reasons:~~		* To ensure that a wider range of voices and lived experiences shaped the priorities, strategies, and standards of Internet Freedom and digital rights work. Many circumvention tools developed in the Global North were proving ineffective—or even unsafe—for at-risk users in the Global South.
			* To meet growing demand, as more communities worldwide experienced digital rights violations, particularly related to surveillance and censorship.

	*Ensuring diverse representation was part of strategic conversations influencing the shape and priorities of Internet Freedom, digital rights~~, and technology standards. Most circumvention tools and strategies being created by technologists~~ in the ~~“North” were not working for at-risk users in the “South”~~.		Since then, digital rights networks have emerged in nearly every region of the world. This expansion reflects both the increasing number of actors using digital means to repress and attack movements, civil society organizations, journalists, and individuals, and the rapid evolution of the tactics they employ.
	*More and more groups around the ~~world were starting~~ to ~~directly experience digital rights issues~~, ~~mostly related to surveillance~~ and ~~censorship. This meant more talent was needed to meet demand~~.

	~~Since then~~, ~~the~~ digital rights community has grown to have networks in virtually every region in the world. This also reflects the growing number of bad actors that are using digital means to oppress and attack a significant growing list of movements, civil society organizations, journalists and citizens. As well ~~as the growing evolution of tactics and strategies they are using.~~		By 2023, digital rights challenges extended well beyond traditional surveillance and censorship to include internet shutdowns, spyware, online harassment, disinformation campaigns, biometric surveillance, and other emerging threats. Much of this escalation is driven by the growing coordination among repressive actors, who increasingly share knowledge, legislative templates, tactics, and technological resources across borders.

	~~In 2023, for example, common problems, on top of historical~~ surveillance and censorship, include ~~[https://www.accessnow.org/publication/~~internet-shutdowns~~-in-2023-mid-year-update/ Internet shutdowns]~~, online harassment, disinformation, and ~~biometrics, among others~~. Much of this ~~evolution~~ is ~~because adversaries have begun to~~ share knowledge, ~~repressive~~ legislative templates, tactics, and resources ~~amongst themselves~~.

	'''''Please contact us at team@digitalrights.community if you have any feedback about our Digital Rights Primer.'''''		'''''Please contact us at team@digitalrights.community if you have any feedback about our Digital Rights Primer.'''''

Sandy: /* Want to Work In Digital Rights? Things You Should Know */

2026-01-14T14:31:14Z

Want to Work In Digital Rights? Things You Should Know

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	=='''Want to Work In Digital Rights? Things You Should Know'''==		=='''Want to Work In Digital Rights? Things You Should Know'''==
	For many of us working in digital rights, we are passionate about ~~the~~ work ~~we do~~ for ~~many~~ reasons ~~including~~: ~~The~~ significant need ~~there is~~ for ~~it —many times in~~ our own ~~personal~~ communities; ~~for~~ the impact it ~~has —which many times is~~ global in scale; and ~~for~~ the ~~amount~~ of creativity and intellectual ~~capital needed~~ to address emerging challenges ~~— which are representative~~ of the most urgent ~~and~~ next-generation issues affecting humankind. ~~In addition,~~ the ~~number of unique and interesting individuals attracted to~~ this ~~work,~~ who ~~truly~~ are ~~some of~~ the ~~best system~~ thinkers ~~found on earth~~.		For many of us working in digital rights, we are deeply passionate about this work for several reasons: the significant need for it—often within our own communities; the impact it can have—frequently global in scale; and the level of creativity and intellectual rigor required to address emerging challenges that sit at the forefront of the most urgent, next-generation issues affecting humankind. We are also drawn to the remarkable people in this field—individuals who are among the most thoughtful and systems-oriented thinkers anywhere.
	[[File:Digital Rights Job Board.png\|thumb\|321x321px\|Check out our [https://www.digitalrights.community/job-board Digital Rights Job Board], which gets updated with opportunities on a weekly basis! ]]		[[File:Digital Rights Job Board.png\|thumb\|321x321px\|Check out our [https://www.digitalrights.community/job-board Digital Rights Job Board], which gets updated with opportunities on a weekly basis! ]]

	=== '''A Young, Emerging Community Experiencing Growing Pains''' ===		=== '''A Young, Emerging Community Experiencing Growing Pains''' ===
	As ~~digital rights is~~ an emerging field, digital rights ~~defenders have to navigate~~ many of the growing pains associated with startups and ~~common challenges found in~~ the nonprofit sector. ~~Things~~ to keep in mind:		As an emerging field, digital rights work comes with many of the growing pains commonly associated with startups and the nonprofit sector. Some important realities to keep in mind include:

	*Most digital rights organizations are small and less than 10 years ~~in age~~.~~<br>~~		* Most digital rights organizations are small and less than ten years old.
	*Funding is ~~not stable, and most~~ traditional funders ~~are still scared of funding in~~ what they ~~consider~~ a ~~technology area~~, despite movements, journalists, and ~~citizens experiencing more diverse attacks against their digital rights~~.~~<br>~~		* Funding is often unstable. Many traditional funders remain hesitant to support what they perceive as a “technology” space, despite the increasing and diverse digital threats faced by movements, journalists, and everyday users.
	*There is no formalized career ~~path, and many individuals achieve~~ expertise ~~in the field~~ through a combination of self study, ~~actively~~ seeking ~~opportunities~~, and ~~sheer luck that employment roles open up~~ that ~~fit~~ their ~~profiles~~. ~~Also~~, many individuals ~~are~~ “unicorns~~<nowiki>''</nowiki> making it difficult to onboard new talent. For example~~, ~~in many smaller organizations~~, ~~which~~ make up a large ~~chunk~~ of ~~entities in~~ the ~~space, people~~ wear multiple hats out of necessity. This ~~means that organizational leaders sometimes face difficulties scaling up or hiring effectively.<br>~~		* There is no formalized career pathway. Many practitioners build expertise through a combination of self-study, proactive opportunity-seeking, and chance openings that align with their skills. As a result, many individuals become “unicorns,” possessing rare combinations of technical, policy, and organizational expertise.
	~~'''<big>This is one of the reasons community engagement projects like Team CommUNITY are so needed — they help~~ onboard new talent ~~and communities~~.~~</big>'''~~		* Smaller organizations—which make up a large portion of the ecosystem—often require staff to wear multiple hats out of necessity. This can make it difficult to onboard new talent, scale operations, or hire effectively.

	~~Sometimes there~~ are ~~pathways through program management roles (for example at medium to large nonprofits)~~, ~~or through more specialized expertise in specific sub-fields (for example~~, ~~researchers at universities focusing on security)~~.		'''<big>This is why community engagement projects like Team CommUNITY are so needed — they help onboard new talent and communities, strengthen peer learning, and grow the field sustainably.</big>'''

	In 2025, severe funding cuts have ~~impacted~~ a large majority of organizations ~~in the space across the globe~~. Until this funding crisis is resolved, we ~~suspect~~ most opportunities will ~~fall within the~~ technical ~~realm~~ (~~developer, sys admin, etc~~) or development ~~realm~~ (fundraising, partnership development ~~etc~~).		In 2025, severe funding cuts have affected a large majority of digital rights organizations worldwide. Until this funding crisis is resolved, we expect that most opportunities will continue to concentrate in technical roles (such as developers and systems administrators) or development roles (including fundraising and partnership development)

	=='''History: How Did Digital Rights Start?'''==		=='''History: How Did Digital Rights Start?'''==

Sandy: /* Organizations and Projects */

2026-01-14T14:26:08Z

Organizations and Projects

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	* [https://www.digitalrights.community/ Team CommUNITY]		* [https://www.digitalrights.community/ Team CommUNITY]

	=== '''Open-Source Circumvention, Encryption, and ~~Safety Tools~~''' ===		=== '''Technology Tools and Organizations focused on Open-Source Circumvention, Encryption, Safety and Privacy''' ===
	~~Examples include:~~
	* [https://www.torproject.org/ Tor Project]		* [https://www.torproject.org/ Tor Project]
			* [https://www.digitalrights.community/blog/community-series-the-guardian-project Guardian Technologies]
	* [https://www.digitalrights.community/blog/community-series-resilience-technologies Resilience Technologies]		* [https://www.digitalrights.community/blog/community-series-resilience-technologies Resilience Technologies]
	* [https://signal.org/ Signal]
	* [https://wire.com/en Wire]		* [https://wire.com/en Wire]
	* [https://guardianproject.info/apps/circulo/ Circulo]		* [https://guardianproject.info/apps/circulo/ Circulo]
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	* [https://privacybadger.org/ Privacy Badger]		* [https://privacybadger.org/ Privacy Badger]
	* [https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/noscript/ NoScript]		* [https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/noscript/ NoScript]
	* [https://www.startpage.com/ StartPage]
	* [https://tails.net/ Tails]		* [https://tails.net/ Tails]
	* [https://www.qubes-os.org/ Qubes OS]		* [https://www.qubes-os.org/ Qubes OS]
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	* [https://freedom.press/ Freedom of the Press Foundation]		* [https://freedom.press/ Freedom of the Press Foundation]
	* [https://cpj.org/ Committee to Protect Journalists]		* [https://cpj.org/ Committee to Protect Journalists]
	* [https://ddosecrets.com/ Distributed Denial of Secrets]
	* [https://www.pen-international.org/ PEN International]		* [https://www.pen-international.org/ PEN International]
	* [https://www.digitalrights.community/blog/community-series-ifex IFEX]		* [https://www.digitalrights.community/blog/community-series-ifex IFEX]

	=== '''Regional and Issue-Focused Organizations and Networks''' ===		=== '''Regional and Issue-Focused Organizations and Networks''' ===
	* [https://www.digitalrights.community/blog/community-series-the-guardian-project Guardian Technologies]
	* [https://www.digitalrights.community/blog/community-series-d3-defesa-dos-direitos-digitais D3]		* [https://www.digitalrights.community/blog/community-series-d3-defesa-dos-direitos-digitais D3]
	* [https://www.digitalrights.community/blog/community-series-open-culture-foundation Open Culture Foundation]		* [https://www.digitalrights.community/blog/community-series-open-culture-foundation Open Culture Foundation]
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	* [https://itforchange.net/ IT for Change]		* [https://itforchange.net/ IT for Change]
	* [https://www.equalitylabs.org/ Equality Labs]		* [https://www.equalitylabs.org/ Equality Labs]
	* [https://twitter.com/ubunteam Ubunteam]
	* [https://safesisters.org/ Safe Sisters]		* [https://safesisters.org/ Safe Sisters]
	* [https://www.eff.org/ Electronic Frontier Foundation]
	* [https://hope.net/ Hackers on Planet Earth]		* [https://hope.net/ Hackers on Planet Earth]
	* [https://defcon.org/ DEF CON]		* [https://defcon.org/ DEF CON]
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	* [https://cyber.harvard.edu/ Berkman Klein Center]		* [https://cyber.harvard.edu/ Berkman Klein Center]
	* [https://ioda.inetintel.cc.gatech.edu/ IODA]		* [https://ioda.inetintel.cc.gatech.edu/ IODA]

			=== '''Policy Focused Organizations''' ===

			* [https://www.accessnow.org/ Access Now]
			* [https://www.eff.org/ Electronic Frontier Foundation]
			* [https://www.gp-digital.org/ Global Partners Digital (GPD)]
			* [https://www.openrightsgroup.org/ Open Rights Group (ORG)]

	=== '''Security Vendors''' ===		=== '''Security Vendors''' ===
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	* Social media platforms: [https://about.meta.com/ Meta], [https://about.twitter.com/en X] (formerly Twitter)		* Social media platforms: [https://about.meta.com/ Meta], [https://about.twitter.com/en X] (formerly Twitter)
	* Large technology companies: [https://www.apple.com/ Apple], [https://about.google/ Google]		* Large technology companies: [https://www.apple.com/ Apple], [https://about.google/ Google]
			----

	=='''Want to Work In Digital Rights? Things You Should Know'''==		=='''Want to Work In Digital Rights? Things You Should Know'''==

Sandy: /* Organizations and Projects */

2026-01-14T14:17:28Z

Organizations and Projects

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	=='''The Profiles'''==		=='''The Profiles'''==
	[[File:2023+GG,+Tor.jpg\|right\|frameless\|439x439px]]		[[File:2023+GG,+Tor.jpg\|right\|frameless\|439x439px\|link=File:2023_GG,_Tor.jpg]]
	Digital Rights Defenders come from all regions, disciplines, and backgrounds. They work on different aspects of digital rights, but ultimately are trying to protect and advocate for activists, journalists, and civil societies from attacks and risks. Here are some common profiles we see:		Digital Rights Defenders come from all regions, disciplines, and backgrounds. They work on different aspects of digital rights, but ultimately are trying to protect and advocate for activists, journalists, and civil societies from attacks and risks. Here are some common profiles we see:
	*Movement Leaders		*Movement Leaders
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	Examples include:		Examples include:
	* [https://www.torproject.org/ Tor Project]		* [https://www.torproject.org/ Tor Project]
			* [https://www.digitalrights.community/blog/community-series-resilience-technologies Resilience Technologies]
	* [https://signal.org/ Signal]		* [https://signal.org/ Signal]
	* [https://wire.com/en Wire]		* [https://wire.com/en Wire]
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	=== '''Journalism and Press Freedom Organizations''' ===		=== '''Journalism and Press Freedom Organizations''' ===
			* [https://www.digitalrights.community/blog/bcjb-getting-to-know-their-work-improving-journalistic-safety-in-the-us-mexico-border Border Center for Journalists and Bloggers (BCJB)]
	* [https://freedom.press/ Freedom of the Press Foundation]		* [https://freedom.press/ Freedom of the Press Foundation]
	* [https://cpj.org/ Committee to Protect Journalists]		* [https://cpj.org/ Committee to Protect Journalists]
	* [https://ddosecrets.com/ Distributed Denial of Secrets]		* [https://ddosecrets.com/ Distributed Denial of Secrets]
	* [https://www.pen-international.org/ PEN International]		* [https://www.pen-international.org/ PEN International]
			* [https://www.digitalrights.community/blog/community-series-ifex IFEX]

	=== '''Regional and Issue-Focused Organizations and Networks''' ===		=== '''Regional and Issue-Focused Organizations and Networks''' ===
			* [https://www.digitalrights.community/blog/community-series-the-guardian-project Guardian Technologies]
			* [https://www.digitalrights.community/blog/community-series-d3-defesa-dos-direitos-digitais D3]
			* [https://www.digitalrights.community/blog/community-series-open-culture-foundation Open Culture Foundation]
	* [https://smex.org/ SMEX]		* [https://smex.org/ SMEX]
			* [https://www.digitalrights.community/blog/community-series-josa Jordan Open Source Association]
	* [https://pollicy.org/ Pollicy]		* [https://pollicy.org/ Pollicy]
	* [https://socialtic.org/ SocialTIC]		* [https://socialtic.org/ SocialTIC]
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	=== '''Research Organizations (Academic and Non-Academic)''' ===		=== '''Research Organizations (Academic and Non-Academic)''' ===
			* [https://www.digitalrights.community/blog/community-series-amnesty-tech-security-lab Amnesty International Security Lab]
	* [https://ooni.org/ OONI]		* [https://ooni.org/ OONI]
	* [https://citizenlab.ca/ Citizen Lab]		* [https://citizenlab.ca/ Citizen Lab]
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	==== '''Multistakeholder and Intergovernmental Bodies''' ====		==== '''Multistakeholder and Intergovernmental Bodies''' ====
	* United Nations		* [https://www.un.org/en/ United Nations]
	* [https://www.intgovforum.org/en Internet Governance Forum]		* [https://www.intgovforum.org/en Internet Governance Forum]
	* [https://www.itu.int/en/about/Pages/default.aspx International Telecommunication Union]		* [https://www.itu.int/en/about/Pages/default.aspx International Telecommunication Union]
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	*More and more groups around the world were starting to directly experience digital rights issues, mostly related to surveillance and censorship. This meant more talent was needed to meet demand.		*More and more groups around the world were starting to directly experience digital rights issues, mostly related to surveillance and censorship. This meant more talent was needed to meet demand.

	Since then, the digital rights community has grown to have networks in virtually every region ~~and (sometimes) country~~ in the world. This also reflects the growing number of bad actors that are using digital means to oppress and attack a significant growing list of movements, civil society organizations, journalists and citizens. As well as the growing evolution of tactics and strategies they are using.		Since then, the digital rights community has grown to have networks in virtually every region in the world. This also reflects the growing number of bad actors that are using digital means to oppress and attack a significant growing list of movements, civil society organizations, journalists and citizens. As well as the growing evolution of tactics and strategies they are using.

	In 2023, for example, common problems, on top of historical surveillance and censorship, include [https://www.accessnow.org/publication/internet-shutdowns-in-2023-mid-year-update/ Internet shutdowns], online harassment, disinformation, and biometrics, among others. Much of this evolution is because adversaries have begun to share knowledge, repressive legislative templates, tactics, and resources amongst themselves.		In 2023, for example, common problems, on top of historical surveillance and censorship, include [https://www.accessnow.org/publication/internet-shutdowns-in-2023-mid-year-update/ Internet shutdowns], online harassment, disinformation, and biometrics, among others. Much of this evolution is because adversaries have begun to share knowledge, repressive legislative templates, tactics, and resources amongst themselves.

	'''''Please contact us at team@digitalrights.community if you have any feedback about our Digital Rights Primer.'''''		'''''Please contact us at team@digitalrights.community if you have any feedback about our Digital Rights Primer.'''''

Sandy: /* Community Building, Capacity Building, and Member Networks */

2026-01-14T13:59:55Z

Community Building, Capacity Building, and Member Networks

Show changes

Sandy: /* The Organizations/Projects */

2026-01-14T13:50:59Z

The Organizations/Projects

Show changes

Sandy: /* Samples of work conducted by Digital Rights Defenders: */

2026-01-14T13:48:35Z

Samples of work conducted by Digital Rights Defenders:

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	== <big>'''Samples of work conducted by Digital Rights Defenders:'''</big> ==		== <big>'''Samples of work conducted by Digital Rights Defenders:'''</big> ==
	* Creating technology solutions that ~~allow~~ users to circumvent online surveillance and ~~censorship~~.		As more and more issues arise at the intersection of technology and rights, the scope of digital rights work continues to grow.
	* Securing movements and ~~journalists~~ through holistic and ~~digital~~ security training.		* Creating and maintaining technology solutions that enable users to circumvent online surveillance, censorship, and internet shutdowns.
	*Advocacy, ~~for example fighting~~ draconian laws that penalize the use of encryption or tools ~~like VPNs~~.		* Securing social movements, journalists, and human rights defenders through holistic digital and physical security training, risk assessments, and emergency incident response.
	*Pushing for industry standards~~. For example, advocating~~ in international ~~government~~ bodies ~~overseeing~~ the ~~actual~~ infrastructure of the ~~Internet and pushing for systems to encourage the~~ privacy and security ~~of users~~.		* Advocacy efforts, including challenging draconian laws that penalize the use of encryption, anonymity tools, or technologies such as VPNs.
	*Researching and mapping emerging challenges, such as the ~~impact~~ of AI, disinformation, and smart cities.		* Policy engagement and strategic litigation aimed at reforming harmful legislation, promoting rights-respecting regulation, and defending individuals targeted for their use of digital tools.
	* ~~Creating~~ collective action around issues ~~like~~ platform accountability, ~~or issues like~~ shadow banning.		* Pushing for industry standards by engaging with technology companies and participating in international and multistakeholder bodies that oversee the technical infrastructure of the internet, with a focus on privacy and security by design.
			* Researching, documenting, and mapping emerging challenges such as the impacts of artificial intelligence, disinformation, biometric surveillance, and smart cities on human rights.
			* Building collective action and coalitions around issues such as platform accountability, content moderation practices, shadow banning, and algorithmic transparency.

	~~However~~, ~~as more~~ and ~~more issues arise at the intersection~~ of ~~human rights and technology, the list of work becomes longer for~~ digital rights.		* Raising public awareness through media engagement, campaigns, and narrative work to strengthen understanding of digital rights among broader audiences.

	=='''The Organizations/Projects'''==		=='''The Organizations/Projects'''==
	~~The list is long and diverse, but below we~~ are including some categories and examples for your understanding:		We are including some categories and examples for your understanding:

	* '''Community Building/Capacity Building/Member Network Projects:''' Like us ([https://www.digitalrights.community/ Team CommUNITY]); [https://globalvoices.org/ GlobalVoices;]		* '''Community Building/Capacity Building/Member Network Projects:''' Like us ([https://www.digitalrights.community/ Team CommUNITY]); [https://globalvoices.org/ GlobalVoices;]
	* '''Open source technology circumvention, encryption or safety/security tools.''' Examples: [https://www.torproject.org/ Tor Project], [https://signal.org/ Signal], [https://wire.com/en Wire], [https://guardianproject.info/apps/circulo/ Circulo], [https://getoutline.org/ Outline VPN], [https://www.globaleaks.org/ Globaleaks], [https://www.eff.org/https-everywhere HTTPS Everywhere], [https://www.openpgp.org/ OpenGPG], [https://www.gnupg.org/ GNU Privacy Guard], [https://privacybadger.org/ Privacy Badger], [https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/noscript/ No Script], [https://www.startpage.com/ StartPage], [https://tails.net/ Tails], [https://www.qubes-os.org/ Qubes], [https://www.tahoe-lafs.org/trac/tahoe-lafs Tahoe-LAFS], [https://amnezia.org/en Amnezia VPN], [https://github.com/clostra/newnode New Node]		* '''Open source technology circumvention, encryption or safety/security tools.''' Examples: [https://www.torproject.org/ Tor Project], [https://signal.org/ Signal], [https://wire.com/en Wire], [https://guardianproject.info/apps/circulo/ Circulo], [https://getoutline.org/ Outline VPN], [https://www.globaleaks.org/ Globaleaks], [https://www.eff.org/https-everywhere HTTPS Everywhere], [https://www.openpgp.org/ OpenGPG], [https://www.gnupg.org/ GNU Privacy Guard], [https://privacybadger.org/ Privacy Badger], [https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/noscript/ No Script], [https://www.startpage.com/ StartPage], [https://tails.net/ Tails], [https://www.qubes-os.org/ Qubes], [https://www.tahoe-lafs.org/trac/tahoe-lafs Tahoe-LAFS], [https://amnezia.org/en Amnezia VPN], [https://github.com/clostra/newnode New Node]

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	* '''Multilateral governmental entities and companies.''' Some of the following actors aren’t pro-digital rights, while others have been pioneers in setting important privacy and security standards. However, all have played an important part in discussions .		* '''Multilateral governmental entities and companies.''' Some of the following actors aren’t pro-digital rights, while others have been pioneers in setting important privacy and security standards. However, all have played an important part in discussions .
	** '''''Multistakeholder and/or Multilateral Government Entities:''''' [https://www.intgovforum.org/en Internet Governance Forum], [https://www.itu.int/en/about/Pages/default.aspx United Nations International Telecommunications Union], [https://freedomonlinecoalition.com/ Freedom Online Coalition], [https://www.ietf.org/ Internet Engineering Task Force], [https://globalnetworkinitiative.org/ Global Network Initiative] .		** '''''Multistakeholder and/or Multilateral Government Entities:''''' [https://www.intgovforum.org/en Internet Governance Forum], [https://www.itu.int/en/about/Pages/default.aspx United Nations International Telecommunications Union], [https://freedomonlinecoalition.com/ Freedom Online Coalition], [https://www.ietf.org/ Internet Engineering Task Force], [https://globalnetworkinitiative.org/ Global Network Initiative] .
	** '''''Companies:''''' VPN providers like [https://www.tunnelbear.com/ Tunnelbear], [https://mullvad.net/en Mullvad]. Social media platforms like [https://about.meta.com/ Meta], [https://about.twitter.com/en X] (formerly Twitter). Multifaceted companies like [https://www.apple.com/ Apple], [https://about.google/?fg=1&utm_source=google-CA&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=hp-header Google] .		** '''''Companies:''''' VPN providers like [https://www.tunnelbear.com/ Tunnelbear], [https://mullvad.net/en Mullvad]. Social media platforms like [https://about.meta.com/ Meta], [https://about.twitter.com/en X] (formerly Twitter). Multifaceted companies like [https://www.apple.com/ Apple], [https://about.google/?fg=1&utm_source=google-CA&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=hp-header Google]

	* '''Diverse funders.''' Examples: [https://numun.fund/ Numun Fund], [https://www.opentech.fund/ Open Tech Fund], [https://www.state.gov/bureaus-offices/under-secretary-for-civilian-security-democracy-and-human-rights/bureau-of-democracy-human-rights-and-labor/ DRL State Department], [https://www.fordfoundation.org/ Ford Foundation], [https://foundation.mozilla.org/en/ Mozilla Foundation], [https://hivos.org/ Hivos]		*
	----		----
	=='''The Profiles'''==		=='''The Profiles'''==

Sandy: /* The Growing List of Digital Rights Challenges */

2026-01-14T13:41:39Z

The Growing List of Digital Rights Challenges

Show changes

Andrea: /* History: How Did Digital Rights Start? */

2026-01-14T12:14:29Z

History: How Did Digital Rights Start?

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:14, 14 January 2026
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	Alternatively, around this same time, we also begin to see more and more authoritarian adversaries begin to “discover” digital. Either because of the powerful mobilization capacity it provides their citizens (Arab Spring) or because they began to invest in tactics and strategies that allow them to weaponize the Internet and digital communications. However, some authoritarian regimes were early adopters. China, for example, began to develop their Great Firewall in the late 1990s, which represented extensive censorship and internet control measures.		Alternatively, around this same time, we also begin to see more and more authoritarian adversaries begin to “discover” digital. Either because of the powerful mobilization capacity it provides their citizens (Arab Spring) or because they began to invest in tactics and strategies that allow them to weaponize the Internet and digital communications. However, some authoritarian regimes were early adopters. China, for example, began to develop their Great Firewall in the late 1990s, which represented extensive censorship and internet control measures.

	By 2012, the digital rights community began work to grow and ~~diverse~~ the community for two main reasons:		By 2012, the digital rights community began work to grow and diversify the community for two main reasons:

	*Ensuring diverse representation ~~were~~ part of strategic conversations influencing the shape and priorities of Internet Freedom, digital rights, and technology standards. Most circumvention tools and strategies being created by technologists in the “North” were not working for at-risk users in the “South”.		*Ensuring diverse representation was part of strategic conversations influencing the shape and priorities of Internet Freedom, digital rights, and technology standards. Most circumvention tools and strategies being created by technologists in the “North” were not working for at-risk users in the “South”.
	*More and more groups around the world were starting to directly experience digital rights issues, mostly related to surveillance and censorship. This meant more talent was needed to meet demand.		*More and more groups around the world were starting to directly experience digital rights issues, mostly related to surveillance and censorship. This meant more talent was needed to meet demand.

	Since then, the digital rights community has grown to have networks in virtually every region and (sometimes) country in the world. This also reflects the growing number of bad actors that are using digital to oppress and attack a significant growing list of movements, civil society organizations, journalists and citizens. ~~In addition,~~ the evolution of tactics and strategies they are using.		Since then, the digital rights community has grown to have networks in virtually every region and (sometimes) country in the world. This also reflects the growing number of bad actors that are using digital means to oppress and attack a significant growing list of movements, civil society organizations, journalists and citizens. As well as the growing evolution of tactics and strategies they are using.

	In 2023, for example, common problems, on top of historical surveillance and censorship, include [https://www.accessnow.org/publication/internet-shutdowns-in-2023-mid-year-update/ Internet shutdowns], online harassment, disinformation, and biometrics, among others. Much of this evolution is because adversaries have begun to share knowledge, repressive legislative templates, tactics, and resources amongst themselves.		In 2023, for example, common problems, on top of historical surveillance and censorship, include [https://www.accessnow.org/publication/internet-shutdowns-in-2023-mid-year-update/ Internet shutdowns], online harassment, disinformation, and biometrics, among others. Much of this evolution is because adversaries have begun to share knowledge, repressive legislative templates, tactics, and resources amongst themselves.

	'''''Please contact us at team@digitalrights.community if you have any feedback about our Digital Rights Primer.'''''		'''''Please contact us at team@digitalrights.community if you have any feedback about our Digital Rights Primer.'''''