Surveillance & Privacy: Safeguarding CSOs in the Age of Digital Threats

In the digital age, technological advancements, while offering unprecedented connectivity and convenience, also raise concerns about encroachments on personal freedoms. Digital rights, including the right to privacy, freedom of expression, and protection from unwarranted surveillance, take center stage in an era characterized by widespread internet accessibility and digital device usage. Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) emerge as crucial actors in navigating this landscape, serving as vigilant watchdogs and advocates for society. These changemakers play a pivotal role in scrutinizing and challenging intrusive surveillance practices, championing the cause of digital rights. However, the very work of CSOs is under threat from state suppression through surveillance and privacy violations driven by legislation and regulations. In this session, participants will delve into the nuanced impact of surveillance bills on CSOs and their privacy concerns. Concrete examples will be explored to illuminate the challenges faced by these organizations. Additionally, the discussion will extend to proactive measures and strategies that CSOs can adopt to counter the digital fears threatening the entire ecosystem. By examining both challenges and solutions, participants will gain insights into how CSOs can navigate the evolving landscape of digital rights in the face of increasing surveillance.

The event is a part of the Digital Rights Programme, co-convened by Asia Centre and Google Asia Pacific. Asia Centre and Google Asia Pacific built “Digital Rights Programme for Civil Society Organisations” spanning for nearly a year, which started in December 2023 to engage International NGOs (INGOs) and their CSO partners that currently work on the issues facing digital rights in the Asia-Pacific region. The programme is covering a series of thematic online and onsite activities to address potential gaps that CSOs experience in collaboration when working under this programme.

Speakers: To be confirmed

Date: 18 July 2024
Time: 5 PM – 6.30 PM (GMT+7)
Venue: Google Meet
Registration: https://forms.gle/E6jf2vGd7jQS9GURA
Contact: karin@asiacentre.org