Today, ARTICLE 19 Eastern Africa (EA) has published its Freedom of Expression and the Digital Environment in Eastern Africa 2020 report. This report examines the digital environment across six countries, namely Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.

The report focuses on developments and challenges across three key areas, namely:

1. Freedom of expression online: Can words land you behind bars? 
   
2. Internet accessibility and affordability: Are governments across Eastern Africa pulling their own weight to narrow the digital divide?
3. Privacy and data protection: Is the public’s personal data safe across Eastern Africa? 

The report proposes that, at a minimum, the six Eastern African countries should:

• repeal and amend laws and policies which criminalise freedom of expression online
• regularly publish comprehensive annual reports on universal access/service funding mechanisms
• refrain from adopting and using Covid-19 contact tracing applications without appropriate human rights safeguards, including sunset clauses to strengthen privacy and data protection.

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