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#DigitalRightsKE : Civil Society Statement on Kenya’s Telegram Shutdown
by David Indeje 09 Nov '24

09 Nov '24

Dear Listers, As civil society organizations and stakeholders committed to Digital Rights and Internet Freedom, we are deeply alarmed by the Kenyan government's recent decision to block access to Telegram. This move, implemented to prevent cheating during national exams, is a blatant violation of fundamental human rights and a dangerous precedent for digital freedom in Kenya. We urge the Kenyan government and the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) to: - *Immediately lift the Telegram ban.* - *Respect international human rights standards and the principles of the Global Digital Compact.* - *Explore alternative, lawful, and rights-respecting measures to address exam integrity issues. * Please share this message and use the hashtag *#DigitalRightsKE* to amplify our message. https://www.kictanet.or.ke/civil-society-statement-on-kenyas-telegram-shutd… -- *Kind Regards,* *David Indeje* *@**KICTANet* <https://www.kictanet.or.ke/> * Communications *_____________________________________ +254 (0) 711 385 945 | +254 (0) 734 024 856 KICTANet portals Connect With Us <https://linktr.ee/Kictanet> ______________________________________

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Report: How Kenyans Fought Back Against the 2024 Finance Bill
by David Indeje 09 Nov '24

09 Nov '24

Dear Listers, How can we leverage digital tools to empower citizens and hold governments accountable? In our latest report, *"Generational Shifts? Civic Tech in Kenya’s Anti-Finance Bill Protects, <https://www.kictanet.or.ke/mdocs-posts/generational-shifts-civic-tech-in-ke…>" *Kenya's 2024 Finance Bill ignited a digital revolution, with Gen Z, millennials, and citizens uniting online to protest VAT hikes, vehicle levies, and subsidy cuts. *Key takeaways from the report* - *Digital Activism:* Kenyans used social media to amplify their voices, coordinate protests, and expose police brutality. - *Global Solidarity:* Hashtags like #RejectFinanceBill2024 and #RutoMustGo gained international traction, sparking solidarity protests worldwide. - *Celebrity Influence:* High-profile figures joined the movement, further amplifying its reach. - *Youth-Led Change:* Gen Z-led initiatives secured government concessions, inspiring similar actions in neighbouring countries. - *Digital Challenges:* The movement also faced increased disinformation and digital authoritarian tactics. *Download and Read the full report here:* https://www.kictanet.or.ke/?mdocs-file=50695 *Kind Regards,* *David Indeje* *@**KICTANet* <https://www.kictanet.or.ke/> * Communications *_____________________________________ +254 (0) 711 385 945 | +254 (0) 734 024 856 KICTANet portals Connect With Us <https://linktr.ee/Kictanet> ______________________________________

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Submission: KICTANet's input on the Public Participation Bill 2024
by David Indeje 09 Nov '24

09 Nov '24

Dear Listers, We've submitted our recommendations on the Public Participation Bill 2024, highlighting key areas for improvement in human rights and ICTs. Details are contained below. https://www.kictanet.or.ke/?mdocs-file=50685 -- *Kind Regards,* *David Indeje* *@**KICTANet* <https://www.kictanet.or.ke/> * Communications *_____________________________________ +254 (0) 711 385 945 | +254 (0) 734 024 856 KICTANet portals Connect With Us <https://linktr.ee/Kictanet> ______________________________________

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Raising Awareness on Online Gender-Based Violence (OGBV)
by David Indeje 08 Nov '24

08 Nov '24

Dear Listers, This month, we will be focusing on an important issue that impacts countless individuals, particularly women: Online Gender-Based Violence (OGBV). OGBV is a form of gender-based violence facilitated by technology, and it takes various harmful forms, including bullying, defamation, hate speech, sexual harassment, and stalking. Here are some important statistics: - 85% of women globally have experienced some form of online violence. - 65% of women know others in their circles who have been targeted online. - 38% of women have personally faced online violence. (Source: The Economist Intelligence Unit) - Young women are disproportionately affected, with 45% of Gen Z and Millennials reporting personal experiences, compared to 31% of Gen X and Baby Boomers. Most of this violence is sexual and often targets a person’s appearance, exploiting perceived vulnerabilities. Throughout this month, we’ll be discussing OGBV, its impact, and ways to create safer online spaces for everyone. To dive deeper into this issue, we encourage you to read KICTANet's report, "Unmasking The Trolls: Research on Online Gender-Based Violence in Kenya" here <https://www.kictanet.or.ke/?mdocs-file=48843>. This is in partnership with the UK Digital Access Programme (DAP) and the Kenyan government, is working to narrow the digital divide in Busia and Mandera counties. Also, join the conversation #CyberAwarenessKE and #DigitalAccessProgramme and stay informed by following KICTANet’s social media pages <https://linktr.ee/Kictanet>. Let’s work together to raise awareness and make a positive impact in the fight against OGBV -- *Kind Regards,* *David Indeje* *@**KICTANet* <https://www.kictanet.or.ke/> * Communications *_____________________________________ +254 (0) 711 385 945 | +254 (0) 734 024 856 KICTANet portals Connect With Us <https://linktr.ee/Kictanet> ______________________________________

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Telegram Blocked in Kenya
by Jacinta Wothaya 08 Nov '24

08 Nov '24

Dear Listers, As of November 7, 2024, many users across Kenya were unable to access Telegram, and this disruption has affected businesses, civil society actors, and other individuals who rely on the platform for communication. Tatua Digital Resilience Centre has confirmed that the platform is still inaccessible without a VPN, and the connectivity anomalies have been corroborated through OONI and Netblocks tests, as well as reports by users on X (formerly Twitter). The government's rationale for blocking Telegram again stems from concerns over national exam cheating, but this blanket shutdown is affecting more than just those involved in the exams. We understand the challenges that come with this disruption, and Tatua is here to help. If you are affected by the block and need help, please reach out through email and the Tatua helpdesk <https://support.tatua.digital/>. For more details about the current situation, please visit the Tatua website <https://tatua.digital/cyber-security/telegram-access-blocked-in-kenya-amids…>. We also encourage all concerned parties to voice their support for #KeepItOn, urging the government to respect citizens' rights to access information and communicate freely. Kind Regards, *Jacinta Wothaya,* *Digital Resilience Fellow @**KICTANet* <https://www.kictanet.or.ke/>, @*tatua <https://tatua.digital/>* LinkedIn: *Jacinta Wothaya <http://www.linkedin.com/in/jacinta-wothaya-510a8b153>*

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Telegram Blocked
by Victor Kapiyo 08 Nov '24

08 Nov '24

Morning Listers, Telegram has been blocked in Kenya for the since yesterday on Safaricom network. I have run tests since yesterday on OONI and seems something is up. I haven't seen any communication from Safaricom on whether they're experiencing any challenge on their network with the platform from a customer service perspective. https://explorer.ooni.org/measurement/20241108T072855Z_telegram_KE_37061_n1… Any one with any update on why this is happening? Last year, the platform was also blocked during the same exam period. Victor

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Top global investors and founders to share insights at Angel Fair Africa 2024 in Nairobi
by Eric Osiakwan 31 Oct '24

31 Oct '24

https://www.itedgenews.africa/top-global-investors-and-founders-to-share-in… #THISISHOWWESHUTOCTOBERDOWN

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No data protection laws in Kenya: How Kenyan police, CA, and Safaricom use mobile phones to track, capture suspects
by Mwendwa Kivuva 31 Oct '24

31 Oct '24

The article from Nation reveals how Kenyan police have been using mobile phone data to track and capture suspects, raising significant privacy and human rights concerns. The investigation highlights several key issues: 1. Unrestricted Access to Call Data: Kenyan security agencies have had almost unrestricted access to mobile phone users’ call data records (CDRs) and location data. This access has been facilitated by a data management system embedded within Safaricom’s internal systems by a British software company, Neural Technologies. This system allows real-time access to call data, ostensibly for tracking suspects. 2. Privacy Violations and Legal Concerns: The investigation raises concerns about the violation of privacy rights and the potential misuse of CDRs in abductions and extrajudicial killings. Although Safaricom claims to protect customer data and only release it with a court order, evidence suggests that police can obtain this data without formal processes. 3. Irregularities in Data Provided to Courts: The article details instances where Safaricom has provided incomplete or falsified CDRs in legal cases involving disappearances or murders, potentially impeding justice. This includes discrepancies in location data in cases like the disappearance of Trevor Ndwiga Nyaga and the abduction of South Sudanese activists Samuel Dong Luk and Idri Aggrey. 4. Use of Location Data for Targeting Operations: The investigation found that police and intelligence agencies have used mobile phone location data for operations that sometimes lead to abductions and killings without due judicial process. This includes the use of predictive profiling tools developed by Neural Technologies, which can map individuals’ movements and associations, raising further human rights concerns. 5. International Implications: The article also touches on the involvement of international entities like Vodafone, which holds a significant stake in Safaricom, and the role of British intelligence in supporting Kenyan operations. Despite these connections, there is no suggestion that these companies are complicit in human rights violations. https://nation.africa/kenya/news/exclusive-how-kenyan-police-use-mobile-pho… Best Regards ______________________ Mwendwa Kivuva https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwendwa-kivuva

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Invitation to AI Townhall : Redefining AI Labour , Ensuring Fairness and Equity for Data Workers , 15th November 2024
by Alfred Ongere 31 Oct '24

31 Oct '24

Hello listers, For the second edition of the AI Townhall series, AI Kenya is thrilled to partner with the https://pulitzercenter.org/journalism, a global leader in journalism and public engagement on critical issues. This townhall aims to address vital questions around labor rights, mental well-being, and ethical practices in AI-driven industries, inspired by the journalistic work of Tatiana Dias and Billy Perrigo on AI's impact on workers. ✨ Why Attend? This townhall brings together data workers (data labelers, content moderators, transcribers), tech leaders, labor advocates, and policymakers to discuss fair labor practices, mental health, and the ethical responsibilities of AI companies. As our digital world expands, it’s essential to recognize and support the people behind it, who make our online experiences safe and effective. 🌍 Date: November 15, 2024 📍 Location: Parklands, Nairobi (Exact location to be shared with confirmed participant only) ⏰ Time: 7:30 AM - 12:00 PM Full event details and registration on https://bit.ly/dwaik We look forward to your participation in this important discussion! Regards, Alfred Ongere, Founder , Ai Kenya Managing director , Mind Intelligence Ltd

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Roselyn Spencer is second keynote for 11th Angel Fair Africa
by Eric Osiakwan 29 Oct '24

29 Oct '24

https://www.africa.com/roselyn-spencer-is-second-keynote-for-11th-angel-fai… Eric here

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