Annotated Bibliography: Transnational Digital Repression
Workshop: Annotated Bibliography: Transnational Digital Repression
Who: Noura Al-Jizawi, Siena Anstis, Sharly Chan
Date: Wednesday, November 18th
The Annotated Bibliography compiles and summarizes relevant literature on “transnational digital repression” (i.e., where states seek to exert pressure—using digital tools—on citizens living abroad in order to constrain, limit, or eliminate political or social action that threatens regime stability or social and cultural norms within the country). While transnational repression itself is not a new phenomenon, there has been limited research on how such repression is enabled and expanded by digital tools.
In this session we are going to paint a picture of how transnational digital repression works, which regimes engage in such activities and using what digital tools, and how these efforts impact diaspora communities.
Noura AlJizawi is a Research Assistant at the Citizen Lab at Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, University of Toronto. She focuses her research on the intersection of information and communication technology, human rights, and global security; with a specific focus on the MENA region.
Siena Anstis is Senior Legal Advisor at the Citizen Lab. Previously, she worked as a litigation associate at Morrison & Foerster LLP in New York City and clerked at the Court of Appeal for Ontario and the Supreme Court of Canada. She has also worked as a refugee lawyer in Toronto, Canada, which has motivated her interests in technology and migration issues.
Sharly Chan is a Research Assistant at the Citizen Lab at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, University of Toronto. She situates her research at the intersection of technology, human rights, and global security; with a focus on targeted digital threats against civil society.
// We will be hosting a 25 minute post-workshop networking exercise to allow folks to meet others who share their interest, and strengthen collaborations across various lines. Make sure to schedule in 25 minutes extra on your calendar, if you are interested in joining //
>> Check out notes from other sessions here
Notes
- Transnational digital repression: an authoritarian state’s use of technology to harass, persecute, silence or intimidate citizens living outside its borders
- Focus has generally been on technology being used, versus impact on the target. With more information, can craft policy and legislative recommendations
- Targeted individuals usually feel guilty, unsafe, insecure, traumatic, worried about safety of others, surprised, scared, uncertain, altered behavior.
- Responses to Transnational Digital Repression - No single magic solution. Are criminal mechanisms appropriate in this context? Community coalitions sharing and offering resources. Digital security trainings through orgs that provide refugee services
