Learning Digital Safety and Expression
Back in May, I got to be a part of two brilliant workshops.
The first one was the Feminist Tech Exchange workshop organized by Body and Data.
Body and Data, as an organization, has been working on increasing access to information regarding digital rights among women, queer individuals, and other marginalized groups. They often collect and document multiple resources ascribing details about digital privacy, rights, dignity, freedom of expression, and digital safety.
I also attended their research dissemination on ‘Mapping Laws Related to Online Violence in Nepal’ earlier in March. Scholars, activists, and students, belonging to different backgrounds shared their experiences and discussions related to online violence in Nepal and how they affect people from different backgrounds and sectors. The research materials were quite comprehensible. The findings had been divided into three areas of human rights — The Right to Freedom of Expression, the Right to Privacy and the Right to Freedom from Violence. This breakdown helped me understand how these laws impact women, queer individuals, and people from other marginalized communities. The space was open to questions, discussion, and collaboration and similar was the space for the Feminist Tech Exchange.
The Feminist Tech Exchange 2022 — Interlinking Gender, Sexuality and Internet Workshop was a three-day workshop organized from 7 May to 9 May. The participants selected formed an intersectional bunch that represented different gender identities, sexualities, abilities, and geographic locations.
Before the workshop, we were provided with a need assessment and logistic form to make the session more accessible and comfortable for all participants. I appreciate this process and I hope to see similar measures taken by other organizations.
During the first day of the workshop, we shared our experiences in digital spaces to further reflect on what our dream internet looks like. In the following days, we had several fun activities that involved role-playing, case studies, and experience sharing. We got practical learning of digital safety practices. On the final day, we attended a guest lecture by Rukshana Kapali, one of the most prominent queer activists in the country. I clearly remember how so many of us were enamoured with her poise and achievements.
The safe space that was created during the workshop where we were allowed to be inquisitive, creative, and vulnerable allowed the participants to connect. Because of a lot of our shared experiences, pet peeves, and passions, I was able to connect with a few of the participants, which, along with the digital behavioural changes that I was able to adopt, is what I believe to be my major achievement from the workshop.
The second event that I attended was ‘Responsible Tech Summit: Improving Digital Spaces’ which was organized by an initiative called ‘All Tech is Human’. The event was held in Manhattan which is why I chose to attend the associated online event. The online participants were still encouraged to engage in the panel discussions. There were more than 400 individuals representing different organizations, initiatives, and institutions joining the summit, both online and in-person combined.
The first panel discussed what the role of social media in digital activism looks like. The facilitator set the crucial distinction between free speech and open discourse. All the panellists called for a cross-organizational and even cross-national effort to increase information regarding the filtering of propaganda and hyperbolic messaging on social media. The final discussion was based on the effect of social media on the democratic processes of a nation.
The second panel discussed what positive and supportive digital spaces look like. The panellists mentioned the importance of accommodating cultural differences and accessibility issues in creating a positive digital space. One of the panellists, a former UN diplomat, focused on increasing optimism in digital spaces by prioritizing positive changes over fear-mongering. The role of government in providing resources that can create these mechanisms was also highlighted.
The final panel discussed the direction of tech policy and social media. Attention was drawn to the impact of Westernized tech policies globally especially owing to the language and cultural differences between nations. The panel representing Meta and Ofcom seemed to deflect the questions regarding censoring and reporting harmful content like live streams of mass shootings by mentioning the challenges that might arise like harmful assumptions and over-censoring. Each panellist mentioned how their organization is taking initiatives by hiring ethical inclusion professionals in their team and how they advise the same for similar organizations.
Before the beginning of the summit, the participants shared a document via which they could connect to organizations and individuals who shared their values. Even though I failed to find anyone who seemed to share the values of Safer-I, I have presented my information and call for collaboration in the document. I am hopeful of some possible collaboration arising in this process.
Throughout the month, I was able to learn more about my areas of interest including digital safety, expression, and community building. The resources shared during both workshops were equally helpful in gaining additional insights. And I feel more prepared to present and challenge my views on topics of digital expression and inclusivity.
