The digital pulse of June is HERE! From global stages to grassroots wins — find it all in our June Newsletter: 🌐 Major advocacy moments 💡 Tech safety tips you’ll actually use 🎤 Global conversations we helped shape 👩🏻‍💻 Interns who are the future of digital rights

#Pakistan 🇵🇰 Zainab Durrani's article in the #Digital5050 magazine of @digitalrightspk.bsky.social explores the role of bots, AI, & tech platforms in the viral spread of online hate during the India-Pakistan crisis. buff.ly/An56DgE

#Pakistan 🇵🇰 Asma Tariq's article for the #Digital5050 feminist magazine of @digitalrightspk.bsky.social looks into the silencing of women's voices in virtual spaces. buff.ly/6erld3G

In the news this week: in light of 17-year-old #SanaYousaf’s murder, Kaukab Shairani at DW writes, “For women in Pakistan, social media can be dangerous.”

It’s your favourite time of the week — we’re back with another edition of our weekly Digital Rights Tracker, bringing you all the latest happenings in the digital space!

This week’s edition was compiled by Research Intern Midhet Mansoori 🌟

A safer, fairer internet isn’t a dream. It's what we’re working towards every day at DRF. This week, DRF’s Sr. Legal Associate Irum Shujah delivered a session on #InternetGovernance & #DigitalRights at a Media Safety workshop hosted by the PCHRl, with Media Matters for Democracy & the EU.

As part of its ongoing commitment to journalist well-being and #digitalrights, the Digital Rights Foundation brought together representatives from eight rural media outlets across provinces for two transformative workshops in Karachi and Murree.

This International Day for Countering Hate Speech, DACSA hosted a webinar focusing on the real-world impacts of hate speech online faced by vulnerable groups in South Asia.

🚨 We’re experiencing some technical difficulties with our telephonic helpline today - but don’t worry! You can still reach out to us on all our other platforms.

🌐Highlights from DRF at #IGF2025🌐 Moderated by DRF ED @nighatdad.bsky.social, the @intgovforum.bsky.social Day 0 roundtable on the #GlobalSouth’s perspective on cyber intrusive technologies called for reform, transparency, and much-needed accountability. 🧵

🟡 #Digital5050 Issue 3 Stories 🟡 Asma Tariq's story looks at the challenges Baloch activists and journalists face related to online hate speech and disinformation in the face of vague platform moderation policies. Link: digitalrightsfoundation.pk/from-censors... Illustrations: Emil Hasnain

🟡 #Digital5050 Issue 3 Stories 🟡 Hija Kamran's story looks at how AI fuels gendered and political #hatespeech globally, how that intersects with Pakistan's regulatory framework, and how feminist movements can respond. Link: digitalrightsfoundation.pk/ai-platform-... Illustrations: Emil Hasnain

And that's a wrap on DRF's session at #IGF2025 Day 0! ✊🏽 This @intgovforum.bsky.social roundtable on spyware accountability in the #GlobalSouth, moderated by DRF ED @nighatdad.bsky.social demanded transparency & reform in national laws, including judicial oversight & public reporting on the matter.

🟡 #Digital5050 Issue 3 Stories 🟡 Zainab Dar's story explores the increase in racist and #misogynist content online after the #IndoPakEscalations. It especially analyzes the roots of such vitriol in populist narratives. Link: digitalrightsfoundation.pk/the-intersec... Illustrations: Emil Hasnain

We're back with more weekly updates from the Digital Rights Tracker!💡 Check out our archives for more updates on digital rights issues in Pakistan: www.digitalrightsfoundation.pk/digital-rights-tracker #weeklyupdates

#Cyberbullying is bullying with the use of digital technologies to scare, anger or shame those who are targeted. On this #StopCyberbullyingDay, listen to what DRF's intern Moazin Imtiaz has to say about cyberbullying.

For #StopCyberbullyingDay, DRF conducted a session on digital ethics and safety at Akhuwat today with students preparing for their O-levels exams. This session covered a range of modules on online safety affecting students in digital spaces, including #cyberbullying and other harms.

DRF ED @nighatdad.bsky.social will be moderating a roundtable at #IGF2025 on Day 0, 23rd June! 💫 This @intgovforum.bsky.social session will attempt to bridge the gap on spyware accountability conversations that have neglected the #GlobalSouth, esp. the socioeconomic/political impact in the region.

🟡 #Digital5050 Issue 3 Stories 🟡 Zainab Durrani's story explores the concurrent wars fought on ground and online in the context of the Indo-Pak escalations, and the role played by platforms and AI like Grok. Link: digitalrightsfoundation.pk/the-summer-o... Illustrations: Emil Hasnain

📣 DIGITAL 50.50 THIRD ISSUE (2025) LAUNCHED 📣 Marking International Day for #CounteringHateSpeech, this issue of #Digital5050 focuses on #platformaccountability and the urgent need to counter online hate. 🔗Read here: tinyurl.com/567yfkcf Illustrations: Emil Hasnain #notohate

🚨 HAPPENING TODAY 🚨 Timings: 🇵🇰 2:30 PM 🇱🇰 3:00 PM 🇧🇩 3:30 PM 🔗 Register to attend: tinyurl.com/yn3wz5vk

📣 Our May 2025 Newsletter is out now! 🔗 Check it out here: digitalrightsfoundation.pk/may-2025-new... ➡ And don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter: digitalrightsfoundation.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=... #may2025 #newsletter

📣REGISTER FOR REGIONAL WEBINAR📣 DACSA invites you to attend a #webinar on the amplification and spread of online #hatespeech, focusing on real-world impact across #SouthAsia. 📆 Wednesday, 18 June 🕝 2.30 PM (PKT; GMT+5) 📍Register: tinyurl.com/yn3wz5vk

We're back with #weeklyupdates from our #DigitalRightsTracker! ➡️ Visit digitalrightsfoundation.pk/digital-rights-tracker for a closer read!

In May 2025, DRF's Digital Security Helpline processed 247 cases. 208 (84%) were related to #cyberharassment. 50 cases involved #financialfraud and 44 cases involved #NCUI, a form of abuse in which one's images are used non-consensually (to coerce, blackmail or harm repute).

➡️ A core component of #freespeech is #pressfreedom. #Journalists must be able to report truth to power for free speech to thrive. Has Pakistan improved in its tolerance for reporting costly info, like economic issues? Find out in this infographic based on findings from @futurefreespeech.org!

Given recent events and the alarming increase of online abuse (such as #TFGBV and #cyberharassment), it is understandable if you worry about your digital safety. However, there are some best practices you can follow to protect yourself online!

#Pakistan 🇵🇰 @digitalrightspk.bsky.social says the killing of 17-year-old content creator Sana Yousaf exposes "deeply entrenched misogyny, gendered hate speech, and technology-facilitated gender-based violence" in the country.

🔵 In the absence of proper regulation, #AI can easily be misused for #misinformation, #disinformation and creating #deepfakes. But what is Pakistan's tolerance for this kind of content? Find out in this infographic breakdown based on @futurefreespeech.org's global survey on #freespeech!

🔵 Launch of Case Study on Viral Misogyny & #SanaYousaf 🔵 In light of Sana Yousaf’s brutal m*rder this past week, DRF analyzed 180+ unique videos, pictures & comments on social media pertaining to her de*th and online presence across 5 platforms. 🔗 : tinyurl.com/477p6u4c

We're back with #weeklyupdates from our #DigitalRightsTracker! From phishing scam alerts to global data breaches and platform outages, the Tracker has it all covered.

🔵 Examining Pakistan's Support for Free Speech 🔵 ➡️ While Pakistan's ranking in the @futurefreespeech.org's Future of Free Speech Index is among the lowest, the country's support for different types of #freespeech in 2024 has increased since 2021. See more in this infographic breakdown!

#Pakistan 🇵🇰 @digitalrightspk.bsky.social released its 2024 report highlighting its work & advocacies. "We worked to amplify voices historically excluded from global digital policy discussions through research-based advocacy & cross-border collaborations." 🔗 buff.ly/LTQcSoI

The right to free speech, critical to a healthy democracy, faces many restrictions in practice - both offline and online. DRF, in partnership with @futurefreespeech.org, calls attention to Pakistan's ranking in the Future of Free Speech Index 2025, a survey measuring free speech support.

Check out this week's updates from our #DigitalRightsTracker! ⬆️ 🔗 Share this post and visit digitalrightsfoundation.pk/digital-rights-tracker for a closer read!

📣 We're back with another installment of our Special Edition series tracking digital rights issues amid #IndiaPakistanTensions! ➡️ Our most recent updates include #bans on Pakistani music and state media accounts from 🇨🇳🇹🇷.

DRF ED Nighat Dad recently appeared on 365 News to discuss the dangers of #AI generated #misinformation or #disinformation, especially in the form of #deepfakes, as was seen during this month's #IndiaPakistanTensions. Watch the entire segment here. www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugJl...

📣 DRF Internship Programme Now Open 📣 Apply for our exciting new internship programme, conducted online and open to applicants across #GlobalSouth! Email your CV & a brief intro to [email protected], with 'DRF Internship' in the email's subject line. 🔴 Deadline: Thursday, 22nd May

Spotlight on Digital 50.50, 2nd Issue (2025) Part 2 The contributors for this issue of #Digital5050 explore how #BigTech impacts #journalism. 🔗Read here: tinyurl.com/4hb9ch2x Illustrations by Emil Hasnain

We're back with regular #weeklyupdates from the #DigitalRightsTracker! Aside from our Special Edition series' updates, this week also saw calls from the tech community, a development in a disturbing case involving a #TikToker, and the latest GSMA report on the digital #genderdivide.

Spotlight on #Digital5050, 2nd Issue (2025) Part 1 The contributors for this issue explore harmful #platform policies, #AI #misinformation, & strategies employed by #journalists to report news online. 🔗Read here: tinyurl.com/4hb9ch2x Illustrations by Emil Hasnain

🔴Our Special Edition of the Digital Rights Tracker Continues🔴 Our special edition continues with digital rights updates on the aftermath of the ceasefire, tracking #cyberattacks, #misinformation, #onlineharassment, and digital erasure. #IndiaPakistanTensions

In times of intense conflict, like the recent #IndiaPakistanTensions, our digital spaces do not remain neutral. It is essential to safeguard ourselves from #cyberattacks, #misinformation & malicious threats. Follow these tips to ensure your engagement with online spaces remains safe & secure.

📣 #DIGITAL5050 ISSUE 2 (2025) LAUNCHED 📣 Our second issue is here! This issue spotlights the alarming nexus between platforms and bad actors to suppress #freespeech online, threatening #journalist safety and human rights across digital spaces. 🔗 tinyurl.com/4hb9ch2x

📣 Our April 2025 Newsletter is out now! 🔗 Check it out here: digitalrightsfoundation.pk/april-2025-n... ➡️ And don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter: digitalrightsfoundation.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=... #april2025 #newsletter

#Asia 🌏 Amid the breakdown of diplomatic ties between #India & #Pakistan after the #Pahalgam attack, @digitalrightspk.bsky.social analyzed social media posts and noted the proliferation of mass #misinformation and hate speech. buff.ly/p3U20TK

"Nighat Dad... highlighted that #fakenews is a significant issue in geopolitical contexts, where #misinformation can have far-reaching consequences." Read what our ED had to say about responsible online behaviour in Associated Press of Pakistan's article: tinyurl.com/5c44v42y

In these uncertain times, it is natural to feel overwhelmed, especially given the flood of misinformation online. Our Digital Security Helpline is here to offer support, advice or a sympathetic ear. Call 0800-39393, email [email protected], or DM for help!

@digitalrightspk.bsky.social 's Digital Security Helpline received 3,171 incident requests in 2024. Their recent report offers in-depth analysis, case studies, and insights into how online spaces are becoming both more dangerous and more essential for marginalized voices. #Pakistan

🔴Special Edition: India-Pakistan Escalations Update🔴 This week's Digital Rights Tracker post includes updates from the developing situation post India-Pakistan escalations. 🔗digitalrightsfoundation.pk/digital-rights-tracker