Dictatorships in the Digital Space

Description:

Increasingly sophisticated technology has provided new avenues for authoritarian regimes to target activists, stifle dissent, and encroach on civil liberties. From shutting off the Internet to prevent protesters from organizing, to installing spyware on activists’ phones, to spreading disinformation on social media, dictators are becoming bolder in their manipulation of technology. Yet activists continue to harness the power of innovation to overcome barriers put up by dictatorships. This panel will explore strategies to uphold human rights and democracy in the digital age. Drawing upon their experiences in digital security and activist movements, panelists will discuss how regimes abuse technology, and share insight into how the tech industry can unite to protect human rights globally.