Tag: Censorship

Ahead of a presidential election on October 28, the Tanzania Communication Regulatory Authority (TCRA) has ordered telcos to suspend access to bulk SMS and voice services, and reports indicate single messages with election-related keywords are also being censored.

The government has replaced bad regulations with new ones that enable the same kind of harmful internet censorship in Tanzania. Not only does the new law stifle free expression, it allows the government to profit from ratcheting up online censorship and control.

Tech companies are exercising enormous power without taking sufficient responsibility to safeguard our rights, leaving us prey to abuse. The Digital Services Act is a chance for the EU to establish clear responsibilities for private actors and hold them to account, while ensuring our rights are protected.

In Nicaragua, a cybercrime bill with a broad scope, ambiguous terms, and disproportionate punishment for the crimes it creates — such as spreading “fake news” —  represents a new attempt by the government to control and prosecute dissidents. 

Ahead of a meeting of shadow rapporteurs in the trilogue discussions on the EU Terrorist Content Regulation, we provide recommendations to ensure the final text remains in line with human rights standards.

The signatory organizations are deeply concerned about the legislation, which, if implemented, would seriously undermine human rights; in particular, freedom of expression and access to information, already under threat in Nicaragua, would be compromised.