Understanding Southern Influence in Cyberspace Security and Governance: Toward a Global Network of Southern-based Cyber Scholars
The securitization of cyberspace - that is, making it a matter of national security - is perhaps the most important force shaping global communications today. It is particularly troublesome for developing countries where the use of networked technologies is growing faster than anywhere else in the world.
The rapid spread of networked technologies like mobile telephones and the Internet has been accompanied by a widespread belief in their potential to enhance democracy. While there is evidence to support this belief, there are also movements afoot to restrict rights and freedoms in cyberspace. Around the world, states are asserting their control over cyberspace to suit their own domestic and foreign policy interests. Governments with more "territorial" visions of cyberspace are developing ambitious and increasingly international strategies. If successful, they could legitimize national controls on cyberspace and undo gains made in rights and openness.
This research will establish a network of Southern cyber security scholars and practitioners that will study the relationship between Internet governance, national and international cyber securitization and militarization processes, and the relative "openness" of information networks across the South. Members will collaborate globally to ensure that the security process will be monitored, evaluated, and influenced in a way that protects rights, openness, and networking.
The project will provide evidence of the benefits of openness in cyberspace that can inform international debates and governance models, and influence policy. It will produce research, academic papers, an edited volume and a project website, and host workshops and conferences. It will also contribute to the Cyberspace Governance map, a Web-based interactive visualization of cyber governance entities and how they interact.
Project ID
106967
Project Status
Completed
End Date
Duration
30 months
IDRC Officer
Ruhiya Seward
Total Funding
CA$ 2,282,760.00
Location
Central Asia
South Asia
Far East Asia
South America
Programs
Networked Economies
Networked Economies
Institution Country
Canada
Project Leader
Ronald Deibert
Institution
The Governing Council of the University of Toronto
Institution Website
Outputs
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Report on Online Discussions on Promoting Internet Freedoms in Africa, November 11 – December 6, 2013 Report
The popularity of social media, Wikileaks, and Arab Spring uprisings have led governments to recognise the power of online media. In a number of African countries, there are increasing legal and extra-legal curbs on internet rights. As shown in Google transparency reports, the number of governments requesting data about online users has doubled in the last three years (2010 - 2012). An online forum for internet freedom discussions was hosted on selected platforms in Uganda, Kenya and Nigeria. That some requests for content removal may be politically motivated, is cause for concern. Author(s): Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA). OpenNet Africa, Paradigm Initiative Nigeria (PIN) Language: English |
| Why should you be worried about the proposed cybercrime bill? Training Materials
If “Prevention of Electronic Crimes Bill, 2015” (PECB), becomes law it will give government and law enforcement agencies in Pakistan broad and sweeping powers to curtail free speech online, and violate the online privacy of citizens. To illustrate this point, CFX Comics, Media Matters for Pakistan and Bytes for All have collaborated to develop a comic strip illustrating just how repressive life could be like under the PECB. Author(s): Bytes for All (B4A) Language: English |
Collecting state : a study about Argentina and citizens' personal data Brief
The right to privacy is a fundamental human right within democratic states. As public policies for identifying, registering and classifying “national human potential” have become more efficient and effective with technological advances, new risks of misuse of personal information arise. Infringement of rights and security of personal data files in regard to the inception of the new National ID Card (DNI) are outlined, as well as legal frameworks for protection. Analysis shows that there is a correlation between the design of institutions and their actual performance. The DNPDP is highlighted. Transfer of information between government entities is scrutinized. Author(s): Language: English |
State of internet freedoms in East Africa, 2014 : an investigation into the policies and practices defining internet freedom in East Africa Report
The research reviewed policy developments and actions related to internet freedoms over the period 2010 to 2014. This report contains brief summaries of country reports, with full-length reports for Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, South Africa and Uganda available on CIPESA’s internet freedoms monitoring portal, OpenNet Africa (www.opennetafrica.org). The use of ICT in East Africa continues to grow steadily, with social media and mobile banking among the drivers of use. The report provides resources for media, academia, development actors and civil society for advancing awareness, and lobbying for the protection and promotion of internet freedoms in Africa. Author(s): Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA). OpenNet Africa Language: English |
| Security v access : the impact of mobile network shutdowns; case study - Telenor Pakistan Study
An Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB) researcher spent three days at Telenor Pakistan’s headquarters to conduct research into the context of network disconnections and to document how Telenor Pakistan receives and acts on requests from the Government to initiate network shutdowns. Telenor Pakistan co-operated with IHRB’s request to visit company headquarters, making its staff available for interviews. The Government of Pakistan’s stated intention when blocking access to communication is primarily national security. The Digital Dangers project identifies a number of areas of concern including security, safety, free assembly, free expression and privacy. Author(s): Purdon, Lucy, Ashraf, Arsalan, Wagner, Ben Language: English |