How Undermining Encryption threatens Online User Security in Africa

By Arthur Gwagwa |

For activists, human rights defenders, journalists/bloggers, whistleblowers, sexual minorities, among others, digital tools that use encryption to enable anonymity over unsecured online networks such as the internet to facilitate not only free flow of information but also, and above all, protect personal security. At the fundamental level, anonymity is enabled by tools that use encryption techniques which…

The Evolution of Internet Shutdowns in DR Congo

By Arsene Tungali |

In the past seven years, citizens in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have experienced a series of intentional interruptions to online communications, affecting the exercise of rights to freedom of expression and information as well as access to services.

The first shutdown of digital communications reported in DRC was in December 2011. The shutdown affected SMS, and…