Civic tech Smart Use of Civic Tech to Promote Accountability and Transparency

0 An inspirational report developed in collaboration with DareDisrupt 1 Foreword By Jonas Vejsager Nøddekær and Anders Hvid

Technology is changing the world by accelerating working. innovation and offering new solutions to problems We hope that these insights will help a wide range that we might have accepted as unsolvable. With of civil society actors, technology experts and this report, DanChurchAid and DareDisrupt set out developers, governments and activists to engage to explore the current and future inter-sections in mutually supportive discussions and between active citizenship, civil society space, collaborations to make technology work for the protection of human rights and technology. poorest and most marginalized people in the world. DanChurchAid and other civil society actors have an important role to play in shaping how . technology is developed and made use of for the benefit of human development and realization of human rights. To do so, we all need to develop our technological intuition to better understand and navigate technological development today and in the future.

For NGOs and civil society partners, the rapidly accelerating pace of technological innovation and widening accessibility of digital technologies, even in some of the poorest societies and most repressive political regimes, requires enhanced awareness of opportunities and risks. This report addresses the question of how civil society organisations can take advantage of the opportunities these developments offer for the changes we want to see in the world, while mitigating the risks? In this report we explore specifically the opportunities and risks posed by a range of technologies to strengthen civil society and human rights defenders, promote inclusive decision making and accountable institutions, and to combatting discrimination.

The report brings out the technologies with most relevance for such civil society and human rights programs, today and in the near future. The Jonas Vejsager Nøddekær technologies in focus here include mobile applications, online platforms, artificial International Director intelligence and blockchain. The report also DanichChurcheAid creates linkages between these technologies and insights, practical experiences and everyday dilemmas facing development professionals, activists and international and local civil society organisations. Importantly, the report also points to future opportunities for NGOs to play more active roles in this field, to help ensure that technology works for human development and human rights. The report also discusses learnings from different initiatives that demonstrate some of the impacts Anders Hvid and barriers that might appear when NGOs seek to CEO embrace technological innovation and new ways of DareDisrupt

2 Index

Foreword 2 Introduction 5 Reading guidance 7 A digital mindset – an introduction 9 Theme introductions 11 Space for Civil Society and Protection of Human Rights Defenders 11 Inclusive Participation in Decision-Making 13 Equitable Distribution of Resources through Inclusive and Accountable Institutions 15 Combating Discrimination and Promoting Rights of Excluded Groups 17 Mobile application 19 Mobile technology, civil society, and HRDs 21 Mobile technology and inclusive decision-making 23 Mobile technology and accountable institutions 25 Mobile technology and combating discrimination 27 Opportunities 29 Online platforms 31 33 Online platforms, civil society, and HRDs 35 Online platforms and inclusive decision-making 37 Online platforms and accountable institutions 39 Online platforms and combating discrimination 41 Opportunities 43 AI, big data and IoT 45 AI, big data and IoT, civil society, and HRDs 47 AI, big data and IoT, and inclusive decision-making 49 AI, big data and IoT, and accountable institutions 51 AI, big data and IoT, and combating discrimination 53 Opportunities 55 Blockchain 57 Blockchain, civil society, and HRDs 59 Blockchain and inclusive decision-making 61 Blockchain and accountable institutions 63 Blockchain and combating discrimination 65 Opportunities 67 Virtual reality 69 Virtual reality, civil society and HRDs 71 Virtual reality and inclusive decision-making 73 Virtual reality and accountable institutions 75 Virtual reality and combating discrimination 77 Opportunities

3 Learning cases 79 Developing a mobile app on Risk education 81 New tech for advocacy: Amnesty International’s 360 Syria 83 It’s our forest too: a mobile app for activists 85 New innovative partnerships - Myanmar 87 Digital security of HRDs and CSOs 89 List of actors in the field 87 Contributors 94

4 Civic Tech

Introduction Over recent years, DCA has adopted an array of of the iceberg. If you have suggestions for other technologies in its programmes, and innovation is interesting cases, perspectives, or improvements a key priority within the organisation. However, as on the report, please contact Kristine Vadskær at those working in this space very well know, [email protected]. navigating the development of new technologies can be challenging not least due to the speed and Who is this report for? unpredictability of the space. Also, a lot of hype exists around different technological solutions and This report is intended to benefit the DCA staff and it can be difficult to gain an overview of what is partners working with Active Citizenship. However, truly possible and doable with the technologies at it can be a useful resource for other DCA staff and hand today, and what could be possible tomorrow. partners, as well as anyone interested in the topic Data protection and digital security issues are in general. pivotal when working with vulnerable communities and sensitive issues, such as human rights The underlying value proposition violations. Understanding the prerequisites, the design and impact of different technological This report is built on the assumption and belief solutions on accountability and transparency in that as technology affects everyone's lives today different contexts - for instance in fragile states, directly or indirectly, each one of us should be part under authoritarian regimes or regions with poor of the discussion on how technological tools are digital infrastructure - are also crucial developed and applied in society. This applies to meaningful and safe application of these particularly to actors working to strengthen civil technologies. society and human rights around the world. This report was conducted by DareDisrupt to help the DCA Active Citizenship programme navigate Everyone does not need to have deep knowledge in the world of relevant technologies and of all technologies out there. However, a basic eventually adopt new technological tools to understanding of the key aspects and strengthen civil society and the protection of characteristics of most relevant technologies is human rights. The report provides an overview of necessary in order for people to be able to shape key technologies relevant for the rights-based work the development of the technologies and tools that conducted within the Active Citizenship increasingly permeate our societies. It is important programme, as well as existing cases, that DCA staff and partners engage with perspectives and opportunities. technology experts and, more importantly, bring The report can be read as a whole, or you may their deep knowledge of human rights issues, civil select the parts you are most interested in. On society, different contextual factors and inequalities page 6, there is an introduction to the structure of to the core in order to make the most of the the report. potential of these technologies, and minimize any harm they could cause. This report focuses on phenomena that are constantly changing and evolving. The technology and human rights-development nexus consists of diverse actors and the cases identified and included in this report often constitute only the tip

5 The authors of this report seek to present different relevant cases and perspectives on how the technologies in an accessible way, and make them technology in question relates to the thematic area. relatable by highlighting their effects and impact on See next page on how the gameboard is the issues at the core of the Active Citizenship structured. programme for DCA staff and partners. The report aims to provide an inspirational and accessible first introduction to each technology and its use. Therefore, those seeking a deeper understanding of the technologies, or wanting to About Danish Church Aid explore technologies not included in this report, are DanChurchAid supports the poorest of the world in their encouraged to seek information in the several struggle for a dignified life and helps those whose lives sources available on the web. Some sources are listed in the footnotes and appendix of this report are threatened. We provide emergency relief in disaster-stricken areas and long-term development Methodology assistance in poor regions - to create a more equitable and sustainable world. The situation of each individual Data for this report was gathered from: is the starting point for our work, with respect for human • Interviews with relevant stakeholders (including rights and equality. We engage with popular and DCA staff working with technology and political forces, and seek to influence decision makers innovation at headquarters and regional to improve conditions for the poorest. We work closely offices), other organisations working with with faith-based organisations and other partners, and similar themes, and technology experts. break new ground in our partnerships to make the greatest possible difference in the world. We show • A survey on the use of technologies sent to all leadership and maintain our 100 years of tradition for DCA country offices working within the Active action and innovation. By experimenting and testing Citizenship programme (responses from six country offices in total). new ways of working, we help people in poverty and distress to find a better life and have hope for a better • Two internal DCA workshops hosted by world. DareDisrupt. First one with a focus on mapping key challenges within Active Citizenship and About DareDisrupt questions regarding the technologies in focus; and the second one focused on next steps, DareDisrupt is a Nordic, Copenhagen-based, impact- including opportunities and challenges for driven company that focuses on technologies and Active Citizenship. disruptive innovation that tackle the biggest issues of our time. We help organisations to understand and • Desk research of open source materials, utilise the potential of exponential technologies. The including relevant cases, reports and notion of "defining business by problems solved, not perspectives in the field. products sold" is at the core of our business model. As The DareDisrupt Gameboard method was used in signatories of the Copenhagen Letter of Tech (2017), structuring the research and the final report. In this we strive for a world where technology is truly in the method, technologies identified together with DCA service of humanity. We are a part of the global were crossed with key thematical areas derived movement thriving to reach the Sustainable from the DCA Fighting Extreme Inequalities Development Goals and believe that technology plays strategy 2019-2022. Each crossing includes a pivotal role in this quest.

6 The gameboard

Active Citizenship Inclusive themes Civil society Accountable Combating decision- Technological and HRDs institutions discrimination themes making X-axis Mobile application

Online platforms

AI, data and IoT

Blockchain

Virtual reality

Y-axis

7 The gameboard: This report is built around the DareDisrupt Gameboard method. The gameboard can be seen here to the left. This means that you can read the report in full length, from one end to the other. Or, you may dive directly into the specific theme or crossing that you are particularly interested in. The purpose of the gameboard methodology is to cross each technology with a relevant area within the Space for Civil Society Active Citizenship programme. The focus is on and Protection of Human Rights Defenders Perspectives on technology providing insights into relevant applications (cases), Introduction The first strategic area of the DCA Fighting alliances of human rights defenders. DCA also within this theme Extreme Inequalities strategy 2019-2022 is space supports the documentation and advocacy for for civil society and protection of human rights international protection against violations of defenders. This is based on the understanding that international human rights and humanitarian law a diversified, vocal civil society and human rights and addressing restrictive NGO laws and other Key perspectives relevant for DCA’s work on supporting the space for civil society and protection of perspectives, as well as opportunities and challenges. defenders who are able to document human rights procedures trying to hinder defending of human human rights defenders from the technology crossings include: violations and advocate for human rights are key to right. fighting extreme inequalities and ensuring that all • Security of human rights defenders and civil society activists Digital tools are often individuals enjoy accountable and responsible DCA engages in providing holistic protection described as a double-edged sword: on one hand, they provide invaluable tools for human rights governance with equal access to human rights. support for local communities and human rights advocacy both domestically and internationally. At the same time, however, it makes civil society defenders, such as supporting security measures activists and HRDs vulnerable to breaches of their privacy and allows for advanced surveillance The ability to defend human rights is important also and risk management. as well as attacks on them online. Read more about in the learning case on page 89. to ensure the protection of vulnerable and excluded communities. The private sector has also The role of business and their support for human a role to play in supporting civil society and human rights defenders, as well as dialogue with Danish • Document abuses live Mobile technologies offer a wide range of possibilities for documenting At the end of each crossing, there are also questions rights defenders in the countries they operate and companies and private sector networks to work for human rights violations and abuses. Read more on page 22 and take a look at the initiatives ensuring that they do not engage in harmful open societies, are also part of this strategic area. eyeWitness and the Whistle project on page 21. practices. This is done in order to encourage support by businesses for civil society and human rights • Encourage activism and organise for collective impact Online activism has in many cases DCA’s work in this field defenders. shown to create a critical mass to support a particular cause and mobilise people offline. However, it often requires resources and capacity, as well as an understanding of the particular DCA works actively to support space for civil context. Read more on page 34. society and strengthen the protection of human rights defenders in restrictive environments. This is • Identify “invisible” human rights violations and risks using AI Artificial intelligence systems for reflection, and discussions on issues related to the done by supporting and promoting civil society, can analyse large volumes of data and recognize patterns invisible to the human eye, which can including social movements and networks and help in identifying some human rights violations. AI systems can also support the work of human rights organisations in collecting and managing large systems of data. Read more on page 46. • Creating a decentralised way of verifying information using blockchain technology The decentralised and verifiable nature of the blockchain technology could be translated into systems to verify information generated on human rights issues and enable new Main challenges ways of reporting for human rights organisations, as long as necessary security measures are in impact of technology on Active Citizenship. place. Read more on page 58. Globally, space for civil society is shrinking. Legal and administrative restrictions on civil society activists, • Telling powerful stories on human rights in VR Many advocacy groups have used virtual particularly on human rights defenders, are increasing. Moreover, organisations protecting the rights of vulnerable reality as a medium for communication and advocacy with good results (see for instance the groups (minorities, refugees, women etc.) are being delegitimized and their space is being limited using various learning case on Amnesty International’s Syria 360 project, see page 83). means, including anti-terror measures and discourse. Read more about this theme and discover existing cases under each technology crossing. In some countries, the constitution and other legal frameworks that would guarantee certain rights are not translated into practices nor upheld by the authorities.

There are serious threats to the human rights defenders who challenge powerful economic and corporate interests, such as land rights activists, those reporting corporate abuses and environmental activists, as well as those who challenge entrenched cultural and religious norms. At the same time, the protection of human rights defenders by the international community remains uneven and inadequate. The gameboard consists of different elements:

11 12 • Active Citizenship themes – The x-axis represents the thematic areas that the technologies

Access does not always translate into usage Despite progress in access to mobile network coverage globally (80 percent even in low- Mobile technology income countries in 2016), significant barriers to digital access remain: less than 12 percent of are related to. The thematic areas are derived from people in low-income countries use the internet. At the current growth rate, by 2023 there will be three billion people in developing countries who will not be on the internet. It has been shown that even

when there is access to digital services, not t

c everyone is using them. A study looking into digital a

p experience across seven countries in Africa and m

I South Asia showed that even though almost everyone had made a phone call in their lives, the DCA’s Fighting Extreme Inequalities strategy 2019- majority had not made use of more complex digital functions. Majority of people had not used SMS, and only 30 percent had used social media.1

Maturity Drivers and enablers 2022. Each theme is presented at the beginning of Introduction • Increasing mobile network coverage In recent decades, significant progress has Mobile technology has brought digital applications been made in increasing mobile network into our pockets. Mobile applications are all sorts coverage globally. In 2016, mobile network of apps and software used on mobile devices penetration in low-income countries was 80 including the most basic applications such as calling, text messages and taking pictures. Mobile percent. New technologies are being adopted in high space, and access to 3G networks is on the report together with a summary of perspectives applications are not only accessible for people with a smartphone, as some applications are simply the rise.1 based on chains of text messages and thus accessible for anyone with a mobile phone of any • Cheaper access to data and sort. connectivity When prices on wireless internet connection decrease in a region, there Digital technologies provide new opportunities for improved government and business services and is an increased incentive for the app they connect people to each other, information, developers to develop applications for that employment opportunities and livelihoods. Mobile region. However, this development has not from all the crossings related to the theme. phones have made these services accessible to a Moreover, mobile applications can be used to been equal. constantly increasing number of people with inform citizens of their rights and spread access to mobile phones and internet connection. information about public decisions among citizens. • Increasing income levels As the income Data gathered through crowdsourcing may also be level of households increase more families Those with access to smartphones and good internet connections have almost endless used to measure and survey the impact of chose to invest in a mobile phone. The possibilities of digital assistants. There are initiatives or needs of the population. provides a means to connectivity, the way that currently 2.1 million apps in google play, 2 million a moped or car could only provide previously. in app store and about half a million in the services An interesting characteristic of mobile technology of some of the smaller providers. That is an is that apps can be replicated at zero marginal cost • Digital literacy The main driver for the incredible amount of “digital assistants” helping to everyone with a smartphone. If you have a penetration of smart phone usage has been people with everything from tracking what they eat, physical manual or information sheet, in order to shown to be the digital literacy of the population finding way on a map, exercise, conducting spread it you need to copy it and distribute it. and the ability to use and benefit from its transactions, diagnosing deceases and killing time Similarly, a nurse with the expertise to evaluate functions. with various games and entertainment. whether a sting bite is dangerous or not, can only Apart from providing the owner of a (smart)phone look at one sting bite at a time. However, once you with apps, information or guidance of any sort the have coded knowledge into an app, for instance one that uses image recognition to diagnose the – The y-axis consists smartphone is also the world's most widespread • Technological themes sensor. A smartphone can measure geographical sting bite, the app can look at several sting bites at location, movement, time, magnetic field, air a time in different locations and at the same cost. pressure, light. Since mobile phones are, by There is, therefore, a huge potential for higher definition, portable and include various sensors impact with the same amount of resources if they enable alternative data collections and mobile technologies are leveraged at its fullest monitoring. Applications and platforms in which citizens can report have a potential to improve potential. accountability in different areas. of five of the most relevant technologies. Each

19 1 Prosperity Commission 2018: Digital Lives: Meaningful Connections for the Next 3 Billion: https://pathwayscommission.bsg.ox.ac.uk/digital-lives-report 20 2 Ibid. technology is presented with a short description of what it is and what the drivers are.

Inclusive Civil society Accountable Combating Decision- and HRDs Making institutions Discrimination

Mobile Mobile technology & technology Online platforms Perspectives

AI, data and IoT Disparities in access and usage of digital campaigning for different causes, as shown in the inclusive decision-making Blockchain technologies Mobile technologies provide great MeToo and similar initiatives around the globe. – In each of the 20 crossings, you can Virtual • Crossings Platform apps, like HarassMap (see page 58), that Inclusive Participation in Decision-Making reality opportunities for development, including improved government and business services and connecting crowdsource information about incidents are also people to each other, information as well as useful tools in some cases to address barriers to employment and new livelihoods. However, not all equal participation. However, in very restrictive groups have been able to enjoy the benefits of environments, these type of advocacy efforts can these developments equally, as socioeconomic put people in danger and need to be conducted 3 inequalities permeate both access and usage of with security in mind . digital services. Among others, gender disparities Awareness and education apps for find some concrete cases highlighting relevant exist in access to mobile phones. For instance in Pakistan, women are half as likely as men to have empowerment Mobile applications can also be a phone.1 In the Bidi Bidi refugee settlement in used for bringing useful knowledge and skills to Uganda, 72 percent of women in the refugee marginalised groups to raise awareness of their community does not own a mobile phone rights and support efforts to partake in decision- compared to 28 percent of men. In some cases, making. This can be done for example through Cases those without a phone might access digital different educational apps and apps providing services using devices belonging to others, but this information about legal rights. However, it needs to still limits their ability to use these services.2 be ensured that the target group has access to the initiatives already taken up within the theme using hardware (i.e. mobile phones) needed, that the Gamify to engage youth Gamification is a application is in the language that they use and popular method among digital designers. that they are aware of the application. This is one Gamification means that a program is turned into a of the learnings described on page 81 on the Risk game making it fun while at the same time nudging Education for mine action in Syria developed at the user to continue to use the program. DCA. Gamification can result in mobile addiction among users but used rightly it may incentivise groups to the technology in question. You can also read engage in new ways. As an example, learning about sexual health or legal rights may be turned into a game or quiz, incentivising the receiver to read all the information even though they might not think they need it. This could work as a solution in engaging youth in decision-making and raising What3Words GovChat awareness of their rights in innovative ways. Mobile applications as a means to get perspectives, which discuss the consequences, voices heard Mobile applications, such as The UN estimates that around four billion people GovChat is South Africa’s largest civic GovChat in South Africa can allow for alternative lack a reliable address to their homes. They engagement platform. It is accessible online as a ways of participating in public decision-making, struggle to open bank accounts, register a birth or mobile application. GovChat enables the South and if made accessible and appealing to different access electricity or water supplies, making them African government to interact with citizens directly groups in society, can increase participation invisible to the state apparatus. What3words is a at no cost, and at the same time receive service among groups like women and youth. Mobile platform and mobile application that seeks to delivery related data in return. Using facial applications, platforms in particular, also provide address this problem. What3words has divided the recognition and fingerprint technology GovChat great opportunities for mobilising support and opportunities, and challenges implied by the world into a grid of 3m x 3m squares and assigned connects users to a variety of government each person a unique 3-word address. This means services, which among other things mean anyone can document a specific address and that citizens can engage directly and report issues accurately find any location and share it more in their local community to their local quickly, easily and with less ambiguity than with representatives. Furthermore, public other systems. representatives are provided with real-time analytics and predictive modelling on government- What do you think… Link related issues. • Think about the mobile applications you use daily. What are the most important skills needed to navigate in them? technology in this theme. Lastly, there are ”what do Link Imagine explaining it to someone who has never used a smartphone before, how would you explain how to use it? • What do you think are the main differences in the way people from different demographics (such as age and gender) in your vicinity use their mobile phone if they have one? • What do you think is the main barrier for marginalised groups to participate in decision making? Could you imagine an app that could help? you think” questions that may be used for further

1 Prosperity Commission 2018: Digital Lives: Meaningful Connections for the Next 3 Billion: https://pathwayscommission.bsg.ox.ac.uk/digital-lives-report 2 Asigma Advisory, DCA, UNCDF 2018: Digital Financial Services Ecosystem in Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement. 23 24 2 See Security in a Box – Digital Security Tools and Tactics developed by Frontline Defenders and Tactical Technology Collective: https://securityinabox.org/en/ reflection and discussion. The crossings are sorted under their technological theme, but you may find

Thoughts and ideas the crossing you are interested in by following the from workshops and interviews with DCA ”What if we developed a Active Citizenship visually appealing app that train people to use “Technology has been an effective tool for advocacy tools safely?” human rights and advocacy work in a gameboard miniature in the upper-right corner. restricted political context in recent years. It gives people the space to voice their concerns while the traditional media (radio, TV, printed news) is under control. It provides a safe space to communicate ”Digital security should be and share sensitive information among one of the focus areas for human rights organisations or DCA Active Citizenship “We need to pay attention to the design of communities when we cannot communicate over the phone or other less- when engaging with the applications: they need to be easy to secure applications.” technologies .” use for someone with low digital literacy skills, accessible in local languages and created in close contact with the end users.” • Thoughts and ideas - At the end of each

”The communities we work with do not always have access to mobile devices, so radio is a much more effective tool in our ”When engaged in app development, we work. Using radio has resulted in should think about what will happen in seemingly small issues being the long term: what will the business amplified and we have seen model behind the application be or how technology crossing, there are bubbles with quotes faster feedback from duty could it be made sustainable in other bearers.” ways?”

”It is difficult to find a list of safe applications ”Anonymity is from workshops and interviews with DCA Active for each context as the especially important in technologies and the this area along with security contexts differ safe transport and and change storage of data.” “We work in poor settings, meaning that constantly.” we need to use technology innovations that are very efficient and less resource- intensive. To gain tangible evidence for Citizenship, giving inspiration for future advocacy, smartphones, for example, would be ideal but we would need to find a cheaper way of using them.” ”Using mobile technology and linking it to our monitoring and evaluations input would be value adding for our projects, planning, ”If we want to use mobile ”Mobile devices can be used for and reporting.” applications for gathering data possibilities, highlighting key challenges, and reporting real-time events, on gender-based violence and including pictures as evidence on reporting and handling cases, the accountability, gender justice, applications should work offline.” and elections. We are already doing this.” adding further perspectives to the use of tech in the 29 30 Active Citizenship program.

• Learning cases – The report also includes 5

Developing a mobile app on Risk Education learning cases starting on page 79. The learning cases look deeper into initiatives and topics

Starting in 2015, a mobile application under the name Risk Education was developed to especially help teachers in Syria to teach children, youth and the wider community about the dangers of mines and unexploded ammunition. The app includes learning materials and a toolkit with activities and games for children. The initiative was a result of conversations between the DCA Mine Action, the Syria team at the time located in Gaziantep, Turkey, and the Learning Lab to create online distance learning materials on dangerous materials in Syria. relevant for Active Citizenship and seek to answer The initiative started with a trip in September 2015 by the Learning Lab to Gaziantep to understand the main needs and the digital infrastructure available in the target areas. They found out that it was important that the material can be downloaded when the internet is available for use offline later. In the months after the trip, the Learning Lab worked closely with the Syria team creating a prototype for the app. It was created using DCA’s own learning material authoring tools that could be packaged in the Moodle application. The Learning Lab tested the prototype on a second trip to Gaziantep by interviewing some of the questions raised during workshops individuals and organisations in the refugee community. They discovered, among other things, that the app needed to be found in Arabic letters (rather than Latin) in the app store. They also learned that navigating around the app had to be made more intuitive to improve the user experience. An external service provider company in Denmark was hired to support the coding of a “learning material container” app to replace the Moodle app. The development of the app went smoothly. However, developing it is only the first step as the target group in Syria needs to be made aware of its existence and start to make and interviews with regards to processes, use of it. The initiative was funded as part of one project and funding for the testing and second iteration came under another project under the Mine Action programme. However, the implementation phase did not include the Learning Lab and was complicated and slowed down by internal restructuring within DCA and the relocation of the Syria office to Iraq. A similar app has been developed for DCA in Myanmar. The Learning Lab was part of this process in the preliminary stages as advisors on project design and collaboration. The final app was developed in collaboration with the local app and video developer companies in Myanmar. partnerships, and issue areas. For more information, contact Christoffer Bengt Meier, Technology Lead, DCA Learning Lab [email protected] • List of actors in the field Lastly, there is a non-

1 82 Foto: DCA exhaustive list of actors that are active in the civil tech field and engaged in some interesting initiatives discussed in this report. We hope that you will enjoy reading the report, be inspired, and discuss the topics with your colleagues, partners, and collaborators.

8 A digital mindset

Introduction It is important to talk about technologies be replicated indefinitely at almost zero marginal cost and can be transported to the other side of the Our world is undergoing a transformation. From world in a matter of seconds. This means once we having been local and linear for thousands of have a functioning digital solution, we can scale years, it’s now both global and exponential, and the impact almost limitlessly, without any the speed of technological development is significant increase in cost. However, all digital accelerating. The many new possibilities force us products and solutions require some form of to reflect on the problems we are trying to solve, hardware and thus cannot be replicated for free or and question whether we are solving them in the sent around the globe in seconds. The access to best possible way. Technology is likely to continue hardware is therefore a crucial entry barrier for to develop, for better or worse, but we have the people around the globe in order to access the possibility to influence the direction and use magical possibilities which the digital world has to of technological development, which is offer. important. Research shows that uncritical application of technology often perpetuates Some have called the promise of the digital world a existing inequalities, and sometimes exacerbates democratisation effect, meaning that more and them. DCA and other civil society organisations more people can obtain access to (digital) have a role to play in making sure that the positive resources, tools, and information that have potentials of technology are realised for the world's previously been beyond the reach of private poorest and most marginalised and reduce individuals or small companies. Small communities inequalities while minimising potential negative can suddenly be global online, and large effects. corporations can do things that were formerly the purview of nation-states, like space travel, or To do so, it is important that everyone - mapping the world. Software is also often less professional, activist, volunteer as well expensive to produce than hardware, and copies as individual members of society - has a basic become almost free. Today, we may download understanding of the technological possibilities and millions of apps on our smartphones, and access implications. Then we need to decide what kind of information, knowledge, and services from all over society we would like in the future, and what role the world. All at almost zero cost compared to what technology should play. This conversation needs many of these services used to cost. This opens to be as inclusive and open as possible. This is a up a plethora of opportunities when the required call for everyone to dive into the discussion, to hardware, infrastructure, and digital skills to access experiment and learn, to innovate, and to use the software are in place. technology in the service of humanity. Acceleration and exponential development Digital is different Technological development is accelerating, and we Digital solutions have several characteristics that often talk about exponential growth. Observations make them fundamentally different from analog show that the amount of data we are able to solutions. A digital software solution or product can

9 store and send for the same price doubles every possibilities of applying the technologies to achieve year. The smartphone in your pocket is already the objectives of the Active Citizenship program. cheaper, several thousand times faster, and over a million times smaller than the world’s fastest What to do computer was in 1968. Similar exponential development is occurring in several other areas, The big question is: Now what? How and where do such as the use of mobile payments in developing I start? And how do I avoid making mistakes? markets, the number of users on the internet, or the number of music recordings per year. The first answer is that you should not try to avoid mistakes. The rapid development in technologies Exponential growth is difficult for people to means that no one has the right answer or the understand intuitively, but the difference becomes complete picture. Many of the learning cases in clear when you imagine walking with exponential this report express the clear message that the best steps. 30 one-metre steps equals 30 metres. That one can do is to start experimenting and learning. is the linear way of thinking. However, 30 By using innovative methods and taking small exponential steps - starting with a first step of one explorative steps, we can minimise the risks, metre, a second of two metres, a third of four, and despite acting in an unknown field. By reading so on - will get you around the globe 23 times. this report, or similar reports, you can expand your network with new ideas, increase your know-how, Since we think more linearly, we overestimate the and improve critical thinking, thereby speed of change in the short term and understanding the impact of the technological underestimate it in the long term. We see applications. All of which is important when possibilities and are thrilled in the short term and working with technologies. tend to overestimate the consequences. Three years later, we are disillusioned and discard our For more inspiration on where to start projections, only to be taken completely by experimenting, and where we have seen high surprise ten years further down the road when potential for using technology within the field, read change hits us like a freight train. However, by the opportunities pages at the end of each gaining a better and more intuitive understanding technology section. of the possibilities that technology creates and may create in the future, we can take greater control of the development. What is technology Technology may, in fact, be any method, process, invention or technique that is used to fulfill an objective or solve a problem. In this report we mainly focus on digital technologies, meaning technologies that are based on 1s and 0s and that have the characteristics described above. Five groups of technologies have been chosen according to their current and potential impact on work within Active Citizenship. These technologies are mobile applications, online platforms, virtual reality, blockchain, and lastly a cluster that includes artificial intelligence, big data, and the internet of things. All these technologies are dependent on hardware and digital infrastructure.

We will discuss these dependencies, and their Technological performance potential effects on technologies around the world, in the coming chapters. What is civic tech This report focuses on civic tech. In broad terms, civic tech refers to different technologies used in governance, advocacy and voting. This might include technological solutions used by officials to improve public services and interaction with citizens or technological tools used for advocacy or to empower citizens by civil society actors.1 The starting point of this study is the work done within DCA’s Active Citizenship programme under the four different categories presented in the following Time pages. The report is not limited to existing civic tech solutions, but looks further into future

1 Durek Poppert 2018: Navigating the field of civic tech: https://medium.com/tradecraft-traction/navigating-the-field- 10 of-civic-tech-c1f9670c8f69 The term civic tech refers to a wide range of technologies Space for Civil Society and Protection of Human Rights Defenders

Introduction

The first strategic area of the DCA Fighting Extreme international protection against violations of international Inequalities strategy 2019-2022 is space for civil society human rights and humanitarian law, and addressing and protection of human rights defenders. This is based restrictive NGO laws and other procedures trying to on the understanding that a diversified, vocal civil hinder the defence of human rights. society, and human rights defenders who are able to document human rights violations and advocate for DCA engages in providing holistic protection and support human rights, are key to fighting extreme inequalities, for local communities and human rights defenders, such and can ensure that all individuals enjoy accountable as supporting security measures and risk management. and responsible governance with equal access to human rights. The role of businesses and their support for human rights defenders, as well as dialogue with Danish The ability to defend human rights is important for companies and private sector networks to work for open ensuring the protection of vulnerable and excluded societies, are also part of this strategic area. This is done communities. The private sector also has a role to play in in order to encourage support from businesses for civil supporting civil society and human rights defenders in society and human rights defenders. the countries they operate, and ensuring that they do not engage in harmful practices. DCA’s work in this field

DCA works actively to support space for civil society, and strengthen the protection of human rights defenders in restrictive environments. This is done by supporting and promoting civil society, including social movements and networks and alliances of human rights defenders. DCA also supports the documentation and advocacy for

Main challenges

Globally, space for civil society is shrinking. Legal and administrative restrictions on civil society activists, particularly on human rights defenders, are increasing. Moreover, organisations protecting the rights of vulnerable groups (minorities, refugees, women etc.) are being delegitimised, and their space is being limited using various means, including anti-terror measures and discourse.

In some countries, the constitution and other legal frameworks that would guarantee certain rights are neither translated into practices nor upheld by the authorities.

There are serious threats to the human rights defenders who challenge powerful economic and corporate interests, such as land rights activists, those reporting corporate abuses, and environmental activists, as well as those who challenge entrenched cultural and religious norms. At the same time, the protection of human rights defenders by the international community remains uneven and inadequate.

11 Perspectives on technology within this theme

Key perspectives relevant for DCA’s work on supporting the space for civil society and protection of human rights defenders (HRD) include: • Security of human rights defenders and civil society activists Digital tools are often described as a double-edged sword: on the one hand, they provide invaluable tools for human rights advocacy both domestically and internationally. On the other hand, however, digital tools make civil society activists and HRDs vulnerable to breaches of their privacy and allow for advanced surveillance as well as attacks on them online. Read more in the learning case on page 89. • Documenting abuses Mobile technologies offer a wide range of possibilities for documenting human rights violations and abuses. Read more on page 22 and take a look at the EyeWitness initiative and the Whistle project on page 21. • Encourage activism and organise for collective impact Online activism has in many cases shown to create a critical mass to support a particular cause and mobilise people offline. However, it often requires resources and capacity, as well as an understanding of the particular context. Read more on page 34. • Identify “invisible” human rights violations and risks using AI Artificial intelligence systems can analyse large volumes of data and recognise patterns invisible to the human eye, which can help in identifying some human rights violations. AI systems can also support the work of human rights organisations in collecting and managing large systems of data. Read more on page 46. • Creating a decentralised way of verifying information using blockchain technology The decentralised and verifiable nature of the blockchain technology could be translated into systems to verify information generated on human rights issues and enable new ways of reporting for human rights organisations, as long as necessary security measures are in place. Read more on page 58. • Telling powerful stories on human rights in VR Many advocacy groups have used virtual reality as a medium for communication and advocacy with good results. See for the learning case on Amnesty International’s Syria 360 project on page 83. Read more about this theme and discover existing cases under each technology crossing.

12 Inclusive Participation in Decision-Making

Introduction The second thematic area of the DCA Fighting address the root causes of the issues when Extreme Inequalities strategy focuses on inclusive traditional approaches are not working. participation of women and youth in decision- making, which is considered to be vital to an equal DCA’s work in this field society in which all individuals enjoy their rights. Equal access to decision-making is a right in itself. DCA has a strong belief in the importance of every Allowing diverse groups to participate in human being to be able to participate in decision- governance structures has been shown to lead to making, voice their concerns and have influence in better decisions for society as a whole. Women their own development, which is why this is a key and youth, for instance, can possess insights into aspect in DCA’s Active Citizenship programme. certain issues in a society that the traditional ruling DCA seeks to further women and youth leadership groups might be missing. For instance, social and in local governance structures, as well as family matters and youth unemployment. In many participation in elections. This is done through, cases, this gap between the decision-makers, among other things, strengthening the capacity women and youth has left these groups in chronic and networking of women and youth, such as poverty and prevented them from enjoying the community-based civic education. Also, DCA outcomes of economic growth. addresses barriers to women and youth leadership and participation in decision-making such as power Women and youth can be a very strong force in a imbalances, norms and gender-based violence. society wilful to engage and make changes. Youth, for instance, can be more flexible to change, bring in new ideas and practices and influence culture. They can also seek to influence society through non-traditional channels, such as social media. New ways of addressing the barriers to inclusive participation and decision-making are needed to

Main challenges

Women and youth have traditionally been excluded from decision-making at different levels. In many cases, social and religious norms that discriminate against these and other minority groups, help to maintain these inequalities. These norms can spread into the rules and practices of formal and informal institutions, and prevent women and youth from acquiring leadership roles and their voices from being heard in decision-making at different levels. Due to exclusion from decision-making spaces, women and youth might lack the skills and networks needed to reach formal decision-making positions, and have substantive influence when they do. There are also several barriers, such as harassment - including gender-based violence - impeding their participation. Lack of acceptance of women and youth as leaders is prominent in culture, not only leading to direct opposing of these groups to take part in decision-making, but also affecting the identity and self-confidence of individuals who have the potential for making change. It is important to ensure that when these groups are allowed in the decision-making spaces, that their involvement is substantive, and that the issues they bring to the fore are taken into account.

13 Perspectives on technology within this theme

Key perspectives relevant to DCA’s work on supporting the space for inclusive participation in decision-making from the technology crossings include: • Disparities in access and usage of digital technologies Socioeconomic inequalities permeate both access and usage of digital services. Among others, gender disparities exist in access to mobile phones and digital services.1 Read more on page 24. • Mobile applications as a means to get voices heard Mobile applications, such as GovChat in South Africa, can allow for alternative ways of participating in public decision-making, and if made accessible and appealing to different groups in society, can help to increase participation among groups, e.g., youth. Read more on page 24. • Awareness and education apps for empowerment In cases where marginalised groups have access to digital tools like mobile phones, mobile applications can be used for bringing useful knowledge and skills to these groups in order to raise awareness of their rights and support efforts to partake in decision-making. Read more on page 24. • Data and Artificial Intelligence to support inclusive decision-making The ability to collect and manage large volumes of data using AI systems can help in making decision-making more inclusive. Read more on page 48. • Rights on a blockchain Better documentation of land titles using blockchain technology that is secured from tampering may strengthen marginalised groups, such as women’s right to hold land and property in countries with a lot of corruption.2 Read more on page 60. • Amplifying networks in VR Many companies are working on creating interactive VR spaces. As the hardware becomes more affordable, this could provide opportunities for creating meeting spaces that are accessible for those who are not able to join a physical meeting. Read more on page 72.

1 Prosperity Commission 2018: Digital Lives: Meaningful Connections for the Next 3 Billion: https://pathwayscommission.bsg.ox.ac.uk/digital-lives-report 14 CHAOS architects: https://www.chaosarchitects.com/ 2 Sustainia, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark and Coinify 2017: Hack the Future of Development Aid. Equitable Distribution of Resources through Inclusive and Accountable Institutions

Introduction The third thematic area of the DCA Fighting accountability and inclusiveness. Extreme Inequalities strategy is based on the understanding that inclusive and accountable Monitoring and tracking of business activities is public institutions are key to equitable distribution also important to ensure that the private sector of resources, and the fight against poverty. respects human rights and consults communities Governance structures that allow citizens to affected by its activities. democratically influence their own development and participate in decision-making are better DCA’s work in this field equipped to respond to the needs of all their citizens. DCA seeks to ensure that the use of public resources and relevant institutional frameworks are When citizens have the knowledge and influence monitored by an active citizenry. This is done by of the decisions and processes in public building the capacity of communities to monitor institutions at national and local levels, they are government programmes, budgets and more capable to combat the misuse of public funds expenditure, and services. DCA also supports and contribute to a more equitable and transparent activities that seek to advocate for equal access to distribution of resources. Community-based resources and services in national budgets. monitoring, informal community structures, and Supporting citizen journalism forms also a part of citizen journalism are some of the ways in which the strategies in monitoring the use of government communities can gain information and hold the resources. DCA also engages in building the duty bearers accountable. capacity for partner-based monitoring and tracking of business activities. Building the capacity of governmental bodies to share information, promote citizen engagement, and make use of social accountability tools presents an opportunity to strengthen

Main challenges

In many cases, the fruits of economic growth have not been equally distributed, and strong disparities exist in access to development gains, such as resources, entitlements, and services. These disparities can lead to social distrust, instability, conflict, and migration. In many developing countries, political and economic resources are controlled by a small groups of elites. Citizens often struggle to gain access to information from public institutions, such as budgets, financial statements, and reports. Accountability throughout the system, from the local to the national level, is difficult to attain. and a gap exists between duty bearers and right holders. Without sufficient consideration for international human rights standards and guidelines, private sector operations and investments in developing countries and in countries struggling with humanitarian emergencies can contribute to upholding inequality and discrimination, including unequal distribution of resources and opportunities.

15 Perspectives on technology within this theme

Key perspectives relevant for DCA’s work on inclusive and accountable institutions from the technology crossings include: • Increasing accountability in public service delivery The internet has changed the way we handle knowledge by making information more accessible. However, platform solutions require a certain level of digital literacy, as well as infrastructure and hardware. Read more on page 38. • Accountability of online platforms There has been increasing attention on the collection and usage of user data by social platforms as a basis for their business model. At the same time, the responsibility of online platforms, such as Facebook, to moderate and control the content published on their sites has gained increasing attention, particularly as they have been associated with human rights violations, as in Myanmar in 2018. These cases have also highlighted the importance of digital literacy. Read more on page 38. • The promise and perils of Artificial Intelligence for governance There are a lot of ways that AI systems can bring benefits to society. At the same time, there are concerns that data access and ownership will be concentrated in the hands of the few, or that AI systems will be increasingly used in surveillance and government control.1 Read more on page 50. • Collecting data to monitor implementation of decisions Aerial drones and satellite imagery are examples of advanced ways governments and, in some cases, civil society actors, can monitor whether decisions have been implemented. Read more on page 50. • Using blockchain encryption to safeguard data With blockchain technology it is possible to encrypt data so that it is not hackable by any un-authorised entity, but remains easily transferable in a larger network, creating opportunities for safer data management and transparency. Read more on page 62. • Virtual reality to bridge the gap between duty bearers and rights holders. The impact of a virtual reality experience has been used to create a deeper understanding of issues, as well as empathy among decision-makers. Read more on page 72.

16 1 Business and Human Rights 2018: https://www.business-humanrights.org/en/technology-and-human-rights-artificial-intelligence Combating Discrimination and Promoting Rights of Excluded Groups

Introduction The fourth thematic area of the DCA Fighting operate in. Extreme Inequalities strategy is to combat discrimination and promote the rights of excluded DCA’s activities groups, such as women, minorities, refugees, migrants, and youth. These groups are often DCA seeks to combat discrimination and promote excluded from decision-making, face discrimination rights for excluded groups through advocacy and do not enjoy their full human rights. against discriminatory laws and practices, for Discrimination or segregation of these groups has criminalising discrimination, and affirmative action, also led to chronic poverty that is passed on to the for instance, quotas for women, youth, and next generation. The trickle-down effect of minorities in decision-making bodies. economic growth has not managed to reduce the poverty of these groups. DCA also supports pro-rights religious value formation and representation, as well as Discriminatory social and religious norms uphold engagement with the cultural scenes in order to inequalities. These inequalities can be ingrained in challenge negative stereotypes and promote the rules and practices of both formal and informal behavioural change. Sensitising faith-based actors institutions. and engaging with them as advocates for change on issues such as gender justice, and the rights of However, religious leaders and other actors can sexual minorities, refugees, and migrants. also rise to challenge these discriminatory norms through, for instance, pro-rights interpretations of DCA works to promote a rights-based approach to normative texts and value formation. Faith-based migration management and protection within actors are often well-organised and have a wide international human rights and humanitarian law reach and influence in the communities they standards.

Main challenges

Efforts to reduce poverty through trickle-down economics has not succeeded in reducing chronic poverty caused by inequality, discrimination, and the segregation of certain population groups, such as women and ethnic, caste, and religious minorities. Inequalities are often deeply rooted in social and religious norms and have permeated both the formal and informal rules and practices of institutions, including laws on land rights and property ownership. Cultural norms and practices have developed over time and have often been deeply socialised, and are therefore difficult to change. It requires efforts to change people’s beliefs and behaviour in some of the key spaces in their lives. Some faith-based actors might have a different interpretation of human rights than the international standards, by not, for instance, accepting certain minority groups, such as the LGBTI community. Significant national and international gaps and decreasing respect for international humanitarian and human rights law have been revealed by growing global migration and displacement, leaving migrants and refugees in vulnerable situations. There has also been a backlash against other minority rights globally, including women’s rights.

17 Perspectives on technology within this theme

Key perspectives relevant for DCA’s work on combatting discrimination, and promoting rights of excluded groups from the technology crossings include: • Access does not always translate into usage Despite progress in access to mobile network coverage globally (80 percent even in low-income countries in 2016), significant barriers to digital access remain: less than 12 percent of people in low-income countries use the internet1. Read more on page 20. • Social platforms as both safe and unsafe spaces for marginalised communities Social platforms have been an important tool for, for instance, LGBTI persons wanting to communicate, organize, and work together for recognition in sub-Saharan African countries. At the same time, online activism has put many in danger2. Read more on page 40. • Blockchain for access to identity and services There are several examples of how blockchain, often combined with other technologies, may help to empower marginalised groups, particularly refugees lacking access to verified identity documents. Read more on page 64. • AI replicating previous racial biases There have already been cases in which machine learning tools have replicated existing biases and led to amplified discriminatory outcomes. AI algorithms may however also be used to identify biased decisions. Read more on page 52. • Create more empathy with VR It has been shown that experiencing something, and meeting other people in VR creates more empathy than watching a normal screen, and can help to challenge unjust social norms and values in society. Read more on page 76.

1 Prosperity Commission 2018: Digital Lives: Meaningful Connections for the Next 3 Billion: https://pathwayscommission.bsg.ox.ac.uk/digital-lives-report 18 2 Security in a Box - Tools and Tactics for the LGBTI Community in Sub-Saharan Africa https://securityinabox.org/en/lgbti-africa/ (please note that the guide is no longer maintained and might therefore contain outdated information)

Mobile technology Impact

Maturity

Introduction Mobile technology has brought digital applications into our pockets. Mobile applications are all apps and software used on mobile devices, and include the most basic functions, such as making phone calls, sending text messages, and taking pictures. Mobile applications are not only accessible for people with a smartphone, as some applications are simply based on chains of text messages and thus accessible for anyone with a mobile phone of any sort. Digital technologies provide new opportunities for improved government and business services, and they connect people to each other, information, employment opportunities, and livelihoods. Mobile phones have made these services accessible to a Moreover, mobile applications can be used to constantly increasing number of people with inform citizens of their rights and spread access to mobile phones and internet connection. information about public decisions among citizens. Data gathered through crowdsourcing may also be Those with access to smartphones and good used to measure and survey the impact of internet connections have almost endless possibilities for using digital assistants. There are initiatives or needs of the population. currently 2.1 million apps in Google Play, 2 million in App Store, and about half a million through An interesting characteristic of mobile technology other, smaller providers. That is an incredible is that apps can be replicated at zero marginal cost amount of “digital assistants” helping people with for anyone with a smartphone. If you have a everything from tracking what they eat, getting physical manual or information sheet, in order to directions on a map, exercising, conducting spread it you need to copy and distribute it. transactions, diagnosing illnesses, and killing time Similarly, a nurse with the expertise to evaluate with various games and entertainment. whether a sting bite is dangerous or not, can only Apart from providing the owner of a smartphone look at one sting bite at a time. However, once you with apps, information or guidance of any sort, the have coded knowledge into an app, for instance, smartphone is also the world's most widespread one that uses image recognition to diagnose the sensor. A smartphone can measure geographical sting bite, the app can look at several sting bites at location, movement, time, magnetic field, air a time, in different locations and at the same cost. pressure, light. Since mobile phones are, by There is, therefore, a huge potential for higher definition, portable and include various sensors, impact with the same amount of resources if they enable alternative data collections and mobile technology is exploited at its full potential. monitoring. Applications and platforms in which citizens can report have a potential to improve accountability in different areas.

19 Access does not always translate into usage Despite progress in access to mobile network coverage globally (80 percent even in low- income countries in 2016), significant barriers to digital access remain: less than 12 percent of people in low-income countries use the internet. At the current growth rate, by 2023 there will be three billion people in developing countries who will not be on the internet. It has been shown that even when there is access to digital services, not everyone is using them. A study looking into digital experience across seven countries in Africa and South Asia showed that even though almost everyone had made a phone call in their lives, the majority had not made use of more complex digital functions. The majority of people had not used SMS, and only 30 percent had used social media.1

Drivers and enablers • Increasing mobile network coverage In recent decades, significant progress has been made in increasing mobile network coverage globally. In 2016, mobile network penetration in low-income countries was 80 percent. New technologies are being adopted in high space, and access to 3G networks is on the rise.1 • Cheaper access to data and connectivity When prices on wireless internet connection decrease in a region, there is an increased incentive for app developers to develop applications for that region. However, this development has been unequal.

• Increasing income levels As the income level of households increases, more families chose to invest in a mobile phone. They provide a means to connectivity, the way that, previously, only a moped or car could provide.

• Digital literacy The main driver for the penetration of smart phone usage has been the digital literacy of a population, and the ability to use and benefit from its functions.

1 Prosperity Commission 2018: Digital Lives: Meaningful Connections for the Next 3 Billion: https://pathwayscommission.bsg.ox.ac.uk/digital-lives-report 20 2 Ibid. Inclusive Civil society Accountable Combating Decision- and HRDs institutions Discrimination Making

Mobile Mobile technology, technology Online platforms

AI, data and IoT

civil society, and HRDs Blockchain

Virtual Space for Civil Society and Protection of Human reality Rights Defenders Cases

eyeWitness The Whistle Project

In seeking to bring perpetrators of atrocities to The rise of mobile phones and social media justice, eyeWitness provides a tool for human provides a new stream of data for documenting rights defenders, documenters, journalists, and human rights violations. This is a significant other active citizens to capture verifiable footage opportunity, but one that is limited by the related to human rights violations. An easy-to-use complications of verifying information – particularly camera app captures the metadata, such as date, as civilian witnesses may not know how to produce time and geographic coordinates, needed to verifiable reports, and because human rights ensure that images can be used in investigations organisations may not have the resources needed or trials. It then safely stores the information that is to properly verify these reports. maintained by the eyeWitness organisation. The received information is reviewed by an eyeWitness The Whistle project is based at the University of expert team, who seeks to ensure that the data is Cambridge and seeks to address this verification used to bring perpetrators of international crimes to bottleneck with the Whistle App, a web and mobile justice. For safety, users can delete or hide the app that allows civilians who have witnessed app if needed. human rights violations to report them in a verifiable manner to the appropriate NGOs. Link Link

21 Perspectives

Document abuses live Mobile Technologies developing and applying digital tools, such as offer a wide range of possibilities for documenting usability, accessibility, and language. In the study human rights violations and abuses. In conducted by Engine Room, lack of access to communities where smartphone penetration is reliable information on existing tools was noted as high, one can assume that almost everyone is a barrier, especially for organisations operating in walking around with a camera, able to film or take languages other than English, and with limited pictures of any abuse they may witness. Some technical baseline knowledge. The report provides applications like eyeWitness, and the Whistle a framework for thinking about tool functionality, Project, have been created to support these starting with data and data security, and moving on initiatives and ensure the safety of the users and to questions on what you want to do, where the the quality of data. For instance, in Cambodia, tool will be used, what device will it be used on, video footage of human rights atrocities and and whether the team has the required resources.1 violations filmed by citizen journalists, HRDs, and CSOs, have been used for advocacy both locally Digital freedom and rights There is a diversity and internationally. Moreover, the DCA Cambodia in digital governance globally, and in many cases, office has trained about 100 citizen journalists so regulation lags behind practice. In terms of what far, and equipped them with mobile phones to data is allowed to flow across a network, different collect and publish information on human rights models and approaches exist, ranging from the violations and other issues, to seek solutions and very strict Chinese way of regulating the internet, hold the government accountable. to countries where “net neutrality” is highly valued, limiting content-filtering and moderating. However, When to use mobile technology? In addition many countries lack a defined approach on how to documentation, mobile technologies offer other digital services are regulated and users protected. opportunities for civil society and human rights There is a growing need for businesses and civil organisations. Information can be shared and society, with or without government, to ensure that advice given to a number of people at the same trustworthy and transparent digital services are time through mobile applications, at almost zero developed. These services should ensure that marginal cost. Digital applications can also ease users have an understanding of the platforms they project management, such as data collection. use, and have control over their digital lives.2 However, as noted by one of the program officers at DCA Palestine, not all right-based work can be Security of human rights defenders Civil done through digital applications. In order to create society activists and human rights defenders have social and behavioural change, face-to-face adopted digital tools, such as social media and interaction can be key. It is therefore important that mobile phones, to support their work. Government these technologies are used strategically to officials have also, in many cases, sought to support face-to-face interaction and other types of control the digital space. Digital tools are often advocacy work. described as a double-edged sword. On one hand, they provide invaluable tools for documenting Which tools to use? There is a variety of digital human rights abuses; organising and coordinating tools available for human rights defenders, and it among groups, organisations, and networks; and can be challenging to decide which tools to use. communicating and raising awareness, both The Engine Room has collected and assessed domestically and internationally. At the same time, different tools that can be used for human rights however, they make civil society activists and documentation. Key questions include whether to HRDs vulnerable to breaches of privacy. customise an existing tool, or create a new Communicating digitally allows for advanced application to fit the purpose, and there are issues surveillance as well as online attacks against around data security, particularly when the tools activists. Some of these attacks might be used might be developed by private companies or conducted by anti-rights groups. Read more on have links to intelligence agencies, like the CIA. digital security of HRDs on page 89. Moreover, it is important to identify priorities when What do you think… • If we could track where everyone is at any given point, and the data was publicly available, do you think that would make people more, or less safe? Do you have any other thoughts on the implications of tracing people via their smartphones? • If you own a smartphone and can remember a time before having one, how has your behaviour changed? Can you, for instance, see differences in the way you take, share, and save pictures, stay connected to your network, and access information?

1 The Future Society: A Global Civic Debate on Governing the Rise of Artificial Intelligence Report 2018: http://www.thefuturesociety.org/initiatives/the-global-civic-debate-on-the-governance-of-ai/ 2 Privacy International 2018: Privacy and Freedom of Expression In the Age of Artificial Intelligence: https://privacyinternational.org/report/1752/privacy-and-freedom- expression-age-artificial-intelligence 3 USAID Guide to Making Artificial Intelligence work for International Development 2018. Download at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdWMax- 22 a8StT4zzEadIJtX8SxU2gbc7kN15CuxGKpm_pi7JQA/viewform 4 https://www.news18.com/news/world/ban-killer-robots-before-its-too-late-amnesty-international-pleads-with-un-1858703.html Inclusive Civil society Accountable Combating Decision- and HRDs institutions Discrimination Making

Mobile Mobile technology and technology Online platforms

AI, data and IoT

inclusive decision-making Blockchain

Virtual Inclusive Participation in Decision-Making reality Cases

What3Words GovChat

The UN estimates that around four billion people GovChat is South Africa’s largest civic lack a reliable address for their homes. They engagement platform. It is accessible online as a struggle to open bank accounts, register a birth, or mobile application. GovChat enables the South access electricity or water supplies, making them African government to interact with citizens invisible to the state apparatus. What3words is a directly, at no cost, and at the same time, receive platform and mobile application that seeks to service delivery data in return. Using facial address this problem. What3words has divided the recognition and fingerprint technology, GovChat world into a grid of 3m x 3m squares and assigned connects users to a variety of government each person a unique 3-word address. This means services, which mean that citizens can engage anyone can document a specific address and directly, and report issues in their community to accurately find any location and share it quickly, their local representatives. Furthermore, public easily, and with less ambiguity than with other representatives are provided with real-time systems. analytics and predictive modelling on government- related issues. Link Link

23 Perspectives Disparities in access and usage of digital opportunities for mobilising support and technologies Mobile technologies provide great campaigning for different causes, as shown in the opportunities for development, including improved MeToo movement, and similar initiatives around government and business services, connecting the globe. Platform apps, like HarassMap (see people to each other, information, as well as page 58), that crowdsource information about employment, and new livelihoods. However, not all incidents are also useful tools in some cases to groups have been able to enjoy the benefits of address barriers to equal participation. However, in these developments equally, as socioeconomic very restrictive environments, these types of inequalities permeate both access and usage of advocacy efforts can put people in danger and digital services. Gender disparities exist in access need to be conducted with security in mind3. to mobile phones. For instance in Pakistan, women are half as likely as men to have a phone.1 In the Awareness and education apps for Bidi Bidi refugee settlement in Uganda, 72 percent empowerment Mobile applications can also be of women in the refugee community do not own a used for bringing useful knowledge and skills to mobile phone compared to 28 percent of men. In marginalised groups in order to raise awareness of some cases, those without a phone might access their rights and support efforts to partake in digital services using devices belonging to others, decision-making. This can be done, for example, but this still limits their ability to use these through different educational apps, and apps services.2 providing information about legal rights. However, it needs to be ensured that the target group has Gamify to engage youth Gamification is a access to the hardware required (i.e. mobile popular method among digital designers. phones), that the application is in the language that Gamification means that a program is turned into a they use, and that they are aware of the game, making it fun while at the same time application. This is one of the learnings described nudging the user to continue to use the program. on page 81 in the Risk Education for Mine Action Gamification can result in mobile addiction among in Syria, developed at DCA. users, but used in the right way, it may incentivise groups to engage in new ways. As an example, learning about sexual health or legal rights may be turned into a game or quiz, incentivising the receiver to read all the information, even though they might not think they need it. This could work as a solution for engaging youth in decision- making and raising awareness of their rights in innovative ways. Mobile applications as a means to get voices heard Mobile applications, such as GovChat in South Africa, can allow for alternative ways of participating in public decision-making, and if made accessible and appealing to different groups in society, increase participation among groups like women and youth. Mobile applications, platforms in particular, also provide great

What do you think… • Think about the mobile applications you use daily. What are the most important skills needed to navigate them? Imagine explaining it to someone who has never used a smartphone. How would you explain how to use it? • What do you think are the main differences in the way people from different demographics (such as age and gender) in your vicinity use their mobile phone, if they have one? • What do you think is the main barrier for marginalised groups to participate in decision making? Could you imagine an app that could help?

1 Prosperity Commission 2018: Digital Lives: Meaningful Connections for the Next 3 Billion: https://pathwayscommission.bsg.ox.ac.uk/digital-lives-report 2 Asigma Advisory, DCA, UNCDF 2018: Digital Financial Services Ecosystem in Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement. 24 2 See Security in a Box – Digital Security Tools and Tactics developed by Frontline Defenders and Tactical Technology Collective: https://securityinabox.org/en/ Inclusive Civil society Accountable Combating Decision- and HRDs institutions Discrimination Making

Mobile Mobile technology and technology Online platforms

AI, data and IoT

accountable institutions Blockchain

Virtual Equitable Distribution of Resources through Inclusive reality and Accountable Institutions Cases

What U See SmartPalika

WhatUSee is a live video streaming SmartPalika is a Nepalese integrated software app that provides users with on-demand access to system made by smart city researchers, local mobile phone cameras of other users from all over governance experts, development experts, and the world. Whether a user is at the Democratic data technology experts. The aim of the system is National Convention, the Eiffel Tower, or in the to give a digital shift to the local governments of middle of Taksim Square, the app allows for Nepal. The project has been developed with a anonymous video coverage of events as they long-term vision, and research of similar smart unfold live. The app is ideal for citizen journalists, economies. Furthermore, the system is designed especially in challenging environments, because it so it should be easy to use, and most of the allows everyone to broadcast based on their features are automated to prevent extra hassles location, with no personal info, and without anyone for the representatives and municipality staff. knowing who is broadcasting. What U See was Furthermore, citizens can also benefit from built as a remote-viewing platform for friends to SmartPalika with the function ”Smart People”. Here share updates or travelers to scope out potential they can perform daily activities and use online vacation spots before booking their tickets. municipality services, such as local products and However, its practical implications for citizen resources promotion tools, e-tax and e-banking. journalism opens a whole new potential for reporting events that is not affected by mainstream Link media biases. Link

25 Perspectives

Gather data for accountability Since mobile needs to be built or improved, the problem of phones are, by definition, portable and include access often lies in the business model. People various sensors, they enable alternative data living in poverty are not able to afford digital collections, and enable monitoring of public services when prices are set in the usual way to services by citizens. Applications and platforms in recover an investment in infrastructure. which citizens can report misuse by authorities, Alternatives have been developed from public and poor quality or missing services, have the funding to businesses subsidising lower-income potential to improve accountability in different customers, using revenues from other parts of the areas. Moreover, mobile applications can be used business. However, the subsidies might not be to inform citizens of their rights and spread sustainable in the long term. While new information about public decisions, ensuring that businesses models and low-cost technology are awareness exists among citizens. Data gathered being developed, sometimes the answer might lie through crowdsourcing may also be used to in providing lower-quality digital services for those measure and survey the impact of initiatives or not able to afford them otherwise, such as public needs in the population. For instance, GovChat in WiFi hotspots.1 South Africa allows citizens to engage directly with government officials, and report issues in their Soft infrastructure to support inclusive local community to their local representatives. See services Both government and the private sector also the learning case on page 85 on the It’s Our have a role to play in ensuring that people in Forest Too application developed by Danmission different income brackets have access to diverse and partners to combat deforestation and illegal and relevant digital services that can truly bring logging in Cambodia. value to their lives. Governments can foster a local ecosystem and invest in “soft infrastructure” - such Local government using e-government as digital identification and payment systems - that tools DCA Nepal has helped local governments to can support the development of other affordable improve transparency and accountability, and services for low-income customers at the local enhance the quality of service delivery, using the level. For example, the Indian government has SmartPalika application. The pilot project has invested in soft infrastructure, making it possible consisted of the development of a mobile app and for digital service providers to verify user identity a web portal, including tools to collect information and authenticate documents making other apps at the municipality and village levels. The key more functional, while bringing down the challenges encountered so far in the pilot have development cost of products.2 included limited capacity of different stakeholders to use the technology, poor network infrastructure in remote villages, a regular need for backup support, as well as limited resources for scaling up the solution. The opportunities are many, however, ranging from improved access to information by the community, as well as improved service delivery and government accountability. Finding alternative business models Governments and businesses have a key role to play in ensuring equal digital access and usage. Although in some areas, network infrastructure

What do you think… • Do you think governments have a responsibility to ensure that everyone has access to the internet? Why? • With a smart phone and good internet connection, a person is a potential walking surveillance post that may record and monitor what you, a public servant, or anyone else does or says. Do you think that this might have an impact on how authorities or people in general act?

1 Prosperity Commission 2018: Digital Lives: Meaningful Connections for the Next 3 Billion: 26 https://pathwayscommission.bsg.ox.ac.uk/digital-lives-report 2 Ibid. Inclusive Civil society Accountable Combating Decision- and HRDs institutions Discrimination Making

Mobile Mobile technology and technology Online platforms

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Virtual Combating Discrimination and Promoting Rights of reality Excluded Groups Cases

Everyday Racism app Women’s human rights

Everyday Racism is a game, and an education The WHR app is a practical tool for easy access to app, which challenges players to live a week in the relevant international legal instruments, as well life of an Aboriginal man, a Muslim woman, an as agreed language contained in 236 United Indian student, or just themselves. The app offers Nations documents on women’s human rights a journey to better understand racism by walking in adopted by UN bodies. In addition, it also the shoes of another person. Over the course of a comprises a range of regional documents. This week, users receive texts, tweets, images and new innovative tool serves stakeholders as a basis videos that will challenge their assumptions. It also for strong argumentation and allows for more creates understanding and encourages users to coherent and efficient negotiation processes. It speak up when they witness racism. The Everyday helps to safeguard negotiated achievements and Racism app has been created in a collaboration to make further progress in the field of women’s between All Together Now, the University of human rights and gender equality. Western Sydney, Deakin University, and Melbourne University, and the content has been developed using ground-breaking research in the field of racism and anti-racism. A group of eight Link panellists from diverse ethnicities were consulted to make sure the app would be based on real-life experiences of everyday racism. Link

27 Perspectives Being left out of digital development potential to fight discrimination among people Existing socio-economic inequalities affect how the using mobile services. As in the Everyday Racism opportunities provided by digital services are application, mobile apps can help to build empathy distributed. Those least likely to have access to, and understanding between different people. Even and the ability to make effective use of digital more importantly, mobile applications are great services, are people with limited education, tools for sharing important information on rights. If women, and people living in poverty. Marginalised made accessible to the target group, taking into groups are less likely to own a phone, and even consideration language, access to mobile services when they do, they use functions such as the and awareness of the app, it can have empowering internet, and messaging, less than others. effects. Although mobile applications can rarely Reasons behind this gap are several, ranging from replace support given in-person, it can help to a low level of literacy and digital skills, social deliver information at a scale, ideally leaving more norms, and lack of infrastructure for those living in time for face-to-face interaction in cases where it is rural areas.1 In some cases, like in the Ugandan really needed. Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement, language barriers hinder access to services, as the services are Help each other peer-to-peer Information offered in a language not spoken by the refugee does not necessarily need to be spread from a community2. In other cases, like in Zimbabwe, central point using mobile technology. It Is also mobile data is relatively expensive, limiting the possible to connect individuals and communities to type of services people can access on their each other. The app BeMyEyes4 leverages this phones. Addressing these barriers is important so ability by connecting visually impaired with sighted that inequalities are not further exacerbated by volunteers for visual assistance through a live digital applications, especially when it comes to e- video call. Using the app, a visually impaired governance services. person requests assistance on their phone, and a sighted volunteer receives a video call. While the Connect the most rural areas Mobile persons hold up the camera in front of what they technology is one of the technologies that requires want to get a description of, the volunteer can the least infrastructure and thus may help to answer questions, such as whether the shirt is blue connect the most rural areas of the world. Project or white, or what date the milk expires. In the same Loon3, a spin-off from Google Alphabet, is now way, competencies can be shared via online apps, working on a network of for instance, to offer legal and psycho-social stratospheric balloons designed to bring internet support. connectivity to rural and remote communities worldwide. Increasing smartphone penetration in rural areas may enable swifter sharing of societal information, teaching apps for youth and children, legal and sexual advice for women, and it may enable more accurate data-gathering about the lives and needs of those living in the most rural areas. However, as has been noted earlier, internet access is not enough to ensure efficient use of online services.

Spread information Mobile applications are a great way of spreading information with the

What do you think… • What if everyone in the world had equal access to high-quality internet connection and smartphones. Do you think this would reduce inequalities? Why? • What do you think are some skills or services that could be shared across mobile applications, as in the case of BeMyEyes described above?

1 Prosperity Commission 2018: Digital Lives: Meaningful Connections for the Next 3 Billion: https://pathwayscommission.bsg.ox.ac.uk/digital-lives-report 2 Asigma Advisory, DCA, UNCDF 2018: Digital Financial Services Ecosystem in Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement. 28 3 Project Loon: https://loon.co/ 4 BeMyEyes: https://www.bemyeyes.com/ Thoughts and ideas from workshops and interviews with DCA Active Citizenship

”Digital security should be one of the focus areas for DCA Active Citizenship “We need to pay attention to the design of when engaging with the applications. They need to be easy to technologies .” use for someone with low digital literacy skills, accessible in local languages, and created in close contact with the end users.”

”The communities we work with do not always have access to mobile devices, so radio is a much more effective tool in our work. Using radio has resulted in seemingly small issues being amplified, and we have seen faster feedback from duty bearers.”

”It is difficult to find a list of safe applications for each context, as the technologies and the security contexts differ and change “We work in poor settings, meaning that constantly.” we need to use technology innovations that are very efficient and less resource- intensive. To gain tangible evidence for advocacy, smartphones, for example, would be ideal, but we would need to find a cheaper way of using them.”

”Mobile devices can be used for reporting real-time events, including pictures as evidence on accountability, gender justice, and elections. We are already doing this.”

29 ”What if we developed a visually appealing app that trains people to use “Technology has been an effective tool for advocacy tools safely?” human rights and advocacy work in a restricted political context in recent years. It gives people the space to voice their concerns while the traditional media (radio, TV, printed news) is under control. It provides a safe space to communicate and share sensitive information among human rights organisations or communities when we cannot communicate over the phone, or through other less secure applications.”

”When engaged in app development, we should think about what will happen in the long term. What will the business model behind the application be, or how could it be made sustainable in other ways?”

”Anonymity is especially important in this area, along with safe transport and storage of data.”

”Using mobile technology and linking it to our monitoring and evaluations input would be value-adding for our projects, ”If we want to use mobile planning, and reporting.” applications for gathering data on gender-based violence and reporting and handling cases, the applications should work offline.”

30

Online platforms Impact

Maturity

Introduction The number of internet users is growing every day. Currently, there are approximately four billion people around the world who can access the internet, meaning that they have both access to the network infrastructure as well as a device, such as a smartphone, tablet, or computer. And the number is growing by more than ten users a second. However, it has been shown that growth is not equally distributed, and socio-economic inequalities are reflected in the access and usage of the internet.1 The growth is there, but it is not Recently, some of the more popular social equally distributed. platforms, particularly Facebook, have faced growing criticism over their collection and usage of Most internet users are connected on various data and advertising. There is a growing platforms. These platforms include social awareness of the value of data that individuals platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, using these services give out to the platforms in WeChat, Whatsapp, Viber, and SnapChat. There exchange for using them. Data is at the core of the are also market-focused platforms, like eBay, business model of these platforms and they might Alibaba, Airbnb, ride-sharing platforms such as need to look for alternative ways of operating in the Uber, Didi, and Grab, and platforms focused on future. At the same time, the responsibility of entertainment and media, like Youtube. In addition online platforms for the content published by their to these, there are millions of platforms helping users is debated, as platforms have been used for people to sell their skills and services to each spreading hate speech and other harmful content. other, enabling peer-to-peer education, micro- lending and investments, and sharing anything Some platforms are used for crowdsourcing data from vehicles, equipment, clothing, housing, from different sources, and, in some cases, have knowledge, and more. Some of these platforms used this information to better organise crisis are used in a particular region, and others such as responses, provide news, and collect information Facebook are globally known (except for countries, to be used as evidence for advocacy. See like China, where access to this platform is blocked examples of such platforms in the following pages. and where people use other similar platforms). What these social platforms have in common is that they connect individuals to each other on the internet, enabling them to interact in different ways. Many of them use algorithms to manage content, connect people, and make customised proposals and suggestions based on the data they have available on the user, such as previous activity, people they are connected to, and location.

1 According to the Prosperity Commission, less than 12 percent of people in low-income countries use the internet (Prosperity 31 Commission 2018: Digital Lives: Meaningful Connections for the Next 3 Billion: https://pathwayscommission.bsg.ox.ac.uk/digital- lives-report) Drivers and enablers

• Users on the internet Commercially operating online platforms rely on network effects. The more users, the more valuable the platform is. The total number of users on the internet is increasing exponentially and platforms seek to get as many users as possible. In some countries, these platforms are the first and main channel through which people connect on the internet, in some cases getting a discount on data when using them. At the same time, access to the internet has allowed for the strengthening of offline communities, and the creation of new online communities and movements across borders.

• Business model In most cases, users do not pay for using a social platform, like Facebook or Instagram. These platforms get their revenue from advertising and are able to offer targeted advertising services to companies based on the vast amounts of data they collect on their users. However, as users become more aware of the value of their data and the concerns about their privacy, this business model is being challenged. Efforts, such as the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) that came into force in 2018, seek to regulate these platforms.

• Digital images The possibility of taking digital photos has been the main enabler for both social platforms like Facebook, and Instagram, but also the most important enabler for the entire sharing economy, showing proof of, for instance, apartments rented out or products sold second-hand.

• Online payments Have both enabled online market platforms and e-commerce, as well as sharing platforms.

32 Inclusive Civil society Accountable Combating Decision- and HRDs institutions Discrimination Making

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Voice of Kibera Witness

Voice of Kibera is a social reporting platform used Witness is a social platform focused on using to enhance resilience through community-led videos to bring about improvements in human actions. It began as a way to give a collective, rights situations. Witness’s goal is to support global voice to the residents of Africa’s largest citizens who risk their lives to expose the truth, and slum in Nairobi, but has become the most make sure that their efforts are not in vain. authoritative dataset about the challenges faced by Through their Video as Evidence programme, Kibera’s residents, the existing services and Witness collaborates with activists, human rights capacity (e.g. clinics, schools, water resources), lawyers, and international justice organisations to and other relevant news and information about the enhance the evidentiary value of video captured in area. Via a simple web-based reporting system, the field. Furthermore, Wittness has a media lab citizens of Kibera can report incidents, from dedicated to unleashing the potential of eyewitness security presence, to health, education, and video as a powerful tool to report, monitor, and natural disasters. advocate for human rights. The organisation has team members based in Brazil, Malaysia, Mexico, Link the Netherlands, Senegal, Turkey, and the United States. They collaborate with grassroots activists, journalists, lawyers, NGOs, and media makers, and seek to apply learnings at a local level to the wider landscape of human rights videos. Link

33 Perspectives

Online activism In the past years, particularly in particular cause and mobilise people offline. Some the wake of the Arab Spring, it became obvious global advocacy organisations, such as Amnesty that online platforms can have a strong impact on International and Greenpeace are extremely skilled developments in society. They provide a platform in spreading information, drawing attention to a for spreading information, coordination, and cause and mobilising global support by using advocacy, and are linked in various ways to offline petitions and demonstrations, as well as social activism, networks, and movements. It is important media campaigns. However, these organisations to remember that online activism is rooted in the have professional campaigning departments with offline world, and is, therefore, more of an enabler large capacities and reach that many smaller local or a tool used by individuals, organisations, and human rights organisations and groups might lack. networks to express and engage with different There are a lot of things that can be learned from causes. In other words, online platforms are not the global advocacy groups, and in many cases the ones creating change. It is the individuals using collaboration has yielded needed results at the these platforms who are the real agents of change. local level, such as a release of an HRD after However, these platforms can enable them to strong global campaigns. operate, and create impact in ways that are not possible in the offline world, such as reaching A safe space, an amplifier, or a risk? Using millions of people around the world. The #Metoo online platforms may imply both risk and security movement combatting harassment and calling for for HRDs and civil society activists. They might gender equality is an example of such an impact. face harassment both offline and online by However, online platforms, like Facebook, have authorities and other groups against the human also been used to spread fake news, hate speech rights cause. Smear campaigns and hate speech and incite offline violence, for instance in online are not uncommon for many activists Myanmar1. choosing to speak out. In some cases, however, extreme publicity can work to protect the activist to Too much information makes the some extent, as all eyes are on him/her, and there individual mute As the internet grows and more would be an uproar if something were to happen. people are connected, so does the amount of However, this can be seen to apply to a rather information online. This means that we navigate limited number of very prominent HRDs, as more and more using different platforms, such as attention online is dispersed and not all HRDs the Google search engine, and Facebook, that have the followers and the capacity to remain in through their algorithms manage the information the public eye. In all these cases, however, digital we receive, giving a lot of power to these actors. It security practices and tools are of utmost is also becoming increasingly difficult for just one importance to protect HRDs and their communities person or group to reach out with a message, in the best way possible. See the learning case on unless they are able to leverage the collective page 89 for more information on the digital security voice of many users, or have financial means to, of HRDs. for instance, advertise on a platform. Some actors even use information overload and fake news as a counter-attack to hush campaigns and activists. Encourage activism and organise for collective impact Online activism has in many cases shown to create a critical mass to support a

What do you think… • What type of interaction and advocacy work do you think needs to happen face-to-face, and what kind of activity could be replaced or supported by online communication? • Do you think that when governments crack down on civil society and space is restricted nationally (including by government monitoring communication channels), online platforms can enable global solidarity and social movements? How and why? • If you have a Facebook account, look through your feed and reflect on what kind of news you see. Do you think it reflects the world? What do you think a young woman, or a religious leader sees in their feed?

1 Business for Social Responsibility (BSR), Our Human Rights Impact Assessment of Facebook in Myanmar 2018: 34 https://www.bsr.org/en/our-insights/blog-view/facebook-in- myanmar-human-rights-impact-assessment Inclusive Civil society Accountable Combating Decision- and HRDs institutions Discrimination Making

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Rail Girls HarrasMap

Rail Girls is a social platform which aims is to HarassMap is an Egyptian digital platform provide tools and a community for women to launched in December 2010 by a founding group understand technology and to develop their ideas. of four women, together with tech partners, They do this by providing their community with the advisers, and volunteers, as a response to the experience of building things, and by making persistent problem of sexual harassment on the technology more approachable. At Rail Girls, streets of Egypt. The platform is based on the women can learn sketching, prototyping, basic idea that if more people start taking action when programming, and get introduced to the world of sexual harassment takes place in their presence, technology. Rails Girls was born in Finland but is the epidemic can be ended altogether. On the now a global, non-profit volunteer community. HarrasMap platform, individuals can report an Among other initiatives, Rail Girls facilitates free, incident indicating where and when it happened, one-and-a-half-day workshops where participants and what kind of sexual harassment it was. The discover the exciting world of web development map gives an overview of where the platform has through their concept Ruby on Rails. With the help received reports of sexual harassment. The and guidance of coaches, attendees create a real individual reports show the reality and scope of web application, in a fun and relaxed environment. sexual harassment and assault in Egypt. This crowdsourced information is used for interventions Link and advocacy showing the scope of the problem. The platform also includes basic information about sexual harassment, how to respond to it, as well as directions for the users to take action, such as a report to the police, or get legal support if needed. Link

35 Perspectives

Online platforms as a space for organising and bots, spreading false messages to influence and strengthening capacity Online platforms people’s opinions. Also, the algorithms used in can be strong tools for networks of women and social platforms to ensure that the content we youth to support their participation in decision- interact with is as appealing as possible, has making. Different social platform sites are already created online bubbles of like-minded individuals, used as spaces for sharing information, best where it is easy to think that everyone shares the practices, fundraising, and coordinating action same ideas and opinions. All these, and many locally, nationally, and even globally. These groups other dark sides of the internet, require strong can range from small WhatsApp groups of a few media literacy and critical thinking skills among the women asking for peer support, to larger groups population in order to counter polarisation, and the where information is shared by numerous actors or impact of malicious actors. These skills also one organisation. Particularly for those working ensure that people can reap the benefits of the with sensitive issues in challenging contexts, it is connectivity of online platforms. For instance, the important that they have the needed digital security DCA Myanmar CO has incorporated a digital skills to ensure the safety of online activism. security workshop into their innovation pilot project to raise awareness and build the capacity of right- Platforms crowdsourcing data for stronger holders, as well as CSOs, on digital security advocacy and response HarassMap in Egypt, practices (see page 89 for more information). introduced above, is a great example of a platform created to advocate for change by leveraging the Reaching youth through online platforms ability to crowdsource information online. In many societies, youth are the most active users HarassMap is able to collect data that is not only of the internet and online platforms. Using useful for advocacy and showing the scope of the platforms is, therefore, a great way of reaching this problem, but they are also able to support people demographic and mobilising youth around different who have faced harassment, by providing causes. Advocacy and awareness-raising done in information on, for instance, how to bring the issue these spaces often requires particular skills, and forward to the authorities, if needed. The data an understanding of the trends in these platforms, gathered can also show particular areas that need including what type of content becomes viral, and increasing attention. If the data is strong enough, it which platforms are used for which purposes. could be even used for measuring the impact of Some platforms, such as Facebook, also change interventions. Another crowdsourced platform, the operating models regularly, making it difficult to Ushahidi originating from Kenya (see page 47), navigate and ensure visibility for those not fully has had a strong role in organising responses to familiar with the platforms. As done in many DCA issues like election-based violence. country offices, creating engaging content together with social media professionals is an effective way Media literacy and critical thinking become to spread information among those online. more important The decentralised nature of However, as in Malawi, many of the rights-holders online communication has also led to some actors that DCA work with do not have access to online spreading misinformation and using smear platforms. It is therefore important to define the campaigns against activists working with sensitive target groups of online advocacy, and make sure issues, such as challenging gender norms and that platforms provide the right medium and that calling for more equality. In some cases, there are activities are worth the investment. even groups of so-called internet trolls linked to some governments consisting of both individuals

What do you think… • How, and in what cases, if any, do you think online platforms could replace current social groups/meeting places/communities? • Do you think some groups have more power and influence in the online world than offline? If yes, why?

36 Inclusive Civil society Accountable Combating Decision- and HRDs institutions Discrimination Making

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Virtual Equitable Distribution of Resources through Inclusive reality and Accountable Institutions Cases

Ojoconmipisto I Paid A Bribe

Ojoconmipisto, or “be careful with my money,” is a I Paid A Bribe is a site that focuses on journalist-run platform that tracks public spending crowdsourced reports of corruption and bribery in Guatemala, aiming to uncover government from India and all over the world. It is a unique corruption and inefficiencies. Using reports and initiative to tackle corruption by harnessing the citizen complaints from the national procurement collective energy of citizens. The site lays portal, Guatecompras, Ojoconmipisto generates emphasis on the various kinds of corruption faced digital maps pinpointing state-awarded contracts, by ordinary citizens in their daily lives when they're project status, personnel, and costs, to reveal not been able to use government services they are inconsistencies between government reports and legitimately entitled to, such as getting a driver's how taxpayer money is actually being spent. The license, a birth certificate, or registering a purchase concept was developed in 2013 and The firm’s of property. I Paid A Bribe uses the reports to future plans include a mobile, geo-referencing argue for improving governance systems and application to monitor local construction ventures, procedures, tightening law enforcement and with the ability to report in real time. regulation, thereby reducing the scope for corruption in obtaining services from the government. Link Link

37 Perspectives

Increasing accountability in public service norm-setters A large part of communication delivery There has been growing pressure for online is done through digital platforms. For transparency on government decisions and access example, in Kenya, more than half of all mobile to decision-makers. Different platforms, like traffic comes via apps by Facebook and Google. Ojoconmipisto in Guatemala and I Paid A Bribe in These platforms often use algorithms to decide India, have leveraged the power of crowdsourcing what content they see on the platform, favoring the information to shed light on corruption and give content that is most shareable and engaging. For citizens a way to monitor the delivery of public an individual user, this improves the experience of services. There have also been efforts to make using these platforms. What we don’t often realise Community-Based Monitoring and Evaluation is that they might have power over our lives. They Systems (CBMES) digital in order to answer some might affect your relationships with people you are of the challenges that exist with these systems, connected to, and which jobs you see online. At such as making it quicker and more manageable to the same time, the platforms have growing impact collect, analyse and present data from different on society-affecting events, like ethnic and sources in a secure way. Coupled with strong religious violence in Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and advocacy messages vis-à-vis duty bearers, and India. There has been growing attention towards close collaboration with the media and the the service design, responsibility, and business communities in question, these systems can models of these platforms.2 support the work for improved public service delivery. However, platform solutions require a Accountability of online platforms A well- certain level of digital literacy - from both the known case that has led to increased attention of community and the ones managing the project - the responsibility of online platforms is that of strong data security tools and practices, as well as Facebook in Myanmar. The UN Human Rights the infrastructure and hardware required for data Council’s Independent International Fact-Finding collection. Mission on Myanmar published a report in September 2018 concluding that the military and Government oversight and internet security forces had committed serious crimes regulation Different governments around the under international law in Myanmar, and linked the world have taken differing approaches to internet rampant anti-Muslim, anti-Rohingya hate speech to freedom and regulation affecting the access, online platforms, including Facebook.3 Business security, and usage of online platforms. For for Social Responsibility (BSR) undertook a human instance, China has something commonly rights impact assessment4 for Facebook. BSR dubbed the “Great Firewall”, which is used to notes in the report that there are certain challenges regulate the internet within the country by blocking in Myanmar, including lack of rule of law, political, access to certain domestic and foreign websites economic and social developments, coupled with a and slowing down cross-border internet traffic. The low level of literacy. There is also a minority of government has invested heavily in monitoring users who try to use Facebook as a platform to content online by-passing laws on acceptable undermine democracy and encourage violence content.1 Also, other countries have adopted some offline. BSR recommends the strengthening of of these practices, limiting freedom of expression governance and accountability structures at and association, as in the case of the Facebook; enforcing community standards more Telecommunications Law in Myanmar, which effectively (among others, using AI solutions to allows for prosecution for defamation. At the same support human decision-making); ensuring time, there are growing calls in some countries, engagement, trust and transparency; as well as particularly in the West, for regulating the use of strengthening advocacy for policy, legal and data on social platforms, and ensuring rights to regulatory reform; increasing literacy; and privacy. The most prominent example of this is the countering hate speech in Myanmar. Facebook has European Union General Data Protection undertaken some of these actions, but many Regulation (GDPR) that came into force in 2018. issues remain and could be exacerbated moving towards the 2020 elections. Platform providers become powerful What do you think… What is the responsibility of the platform provider regarding regulating and controlling the content shared on their platform? And what do you think is the role of the state and the government in this matter? How available should elected officials and other duty bearers be for interaction with citizens online?

1 The Future Society: A Global Civic Debate on Governing the Rise of Artificial Intelligence Report 2018: http://www.thefuturesociety.org/initiatives/the-global-civic-debate-on-the-governance-of-ai/ 2 Privacy International 2018: Privacy and Freedom of Expression In the Age of Artificial Intelligence: https://privacyinternational.org/report/1752/privacy-and-freedom- expression-age-artificial-intelligence 38 3 USAID Guide to Making Artificial Intelligence work for International Development 2018. Download at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdWMax- a8StT4zzEadIJtX8SxU2gbc7kN15CuxGKpm_pi7JQA/viewform 4 https://www.news18.com/news/world/ban-killer-robots-before-its-too-late-amnesty-international-pleads-with-un-1858703.html Inclusive Civil society Accountable Combating Decision- and HRDs institutions Discrimination Making

Mobile Online platforms and technology Online platforms

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The Radar Project EzyAgric platform

The Radar Project created the digital learning EzyAgric is a Ugandan platform that seeks to platform Radar VCLE (Virtual Communication and digitalise agricultural value chains in order to Learning Environment). The platform provides enable all commercial farmers and other tools to distinguish between non-racial and racial agribusinesses to access high-quality production physical violence, and define tangible criteria for and marketing services. The initiative was born out identifying non-physical, racially-marked offenses, of an event in 2014 organised by USAID, focusing based on verbal, para-verbal, non-verbal and on building on existing solutions of young visual communication practices in written, spoken technology companies to boost Uganda’s as well as interactional discourses. One of the agricultural sector through efficient service-and- VCLE platform’s main objectives is to establish a information delivery, using ICT solutions. This gave face-to-face and online training concept to provide birth to Akorion Company LTD. Features on the concrete tools for recognising such communication platform include a digital farmer profile, garden practices, and contributing to preventing hate mapping, links to reliable markets, digital records, crimes, and regulating anti-discrimination and anti- and an agrishop, where it is possible to buy racism. agriculture insurance. So far, Akorion has served 60,000 farmers and digitally profiled 42,000 Link farmers through a network of 480 village agents and 100 farmer associations. Link

39 Perspectives

No one left behind Online platforms provide silence opposing voices online. Also, initiatives like various opportunities for improved access to the Radar Project can support efforts to combat government services, employment opportunities, discrimination, as long as they are able to reach information, and personal connections. However, the target group. Could religious leaders who might less than 12 percent of people in low-income attract a diverse follower base online actually help countries use the internet, leaving many unable to to bring out different voices, and thereby break access the benefits of connectivity, exacerbating some of the bubbles? existing socioeconomic inequalities1. In some cases, older technologies such as the radio used Safe and unsafe space for marginalised by DCA Malawi Country Office, might be more communities Social platforms provide important efficient in reaching the target group. However, in spaces for some marginalised communities. For cases where marginalised communities have instance, they have been an important tool for access to, and effectively use the internet, online LGBTI persons to communicate, organise, and platforms and communities can support their work together for recognition in sub-Saharan further empowerment, and create livelihood African countries, where many remain opportunities, like with the EzyAgric platform. marginalised and persecuted. Online There might be a need to ensure digital literacy, communication has also played a role in drawing privacy, and data security within these international support both within and without the communities. There have also been calls to raise LGBTI rights movement. However, this awareness and understanding of those developing development has been countered by authorities digital services on particular needs, such as and other opponents of equal rights. In some information being available in local languages, and countries, authorities have enforced censorship on creating solutions that take into account different different sites and tracked down users of digital types of disabilities. Organisations, such as DCA, tools. LGBTI persons have also faced harassment have a strong role to play when developing such and attacks online, and both authorities and private applications in collaboration with software groups have tried to ambush LGBTI persons using developers, given their in-depth understanding, fake accounts. There are therefore several and experience working with marginalised groups insecurities facing LGBTI persons online, and even and social inequalities. the safe solutions offered are rarely ever fully safe. However, it is important that LGBTI persons and How to break the online bubbles? Just as organisations working for equal rights are aware of positive messages and important information can the dangers and available solutions for digital travel rapidly in social networks, so can security.2 misinformation and attempts to incite violence online and offline. The algorithms used in social platforms to ensure that the content we interact with is as appealing as possible has created online bubbles of like-minded individuals where certain messages get reinforced without the presence of opposing views. These bubbles risk deepening polarisation in societies, and work against the potential of the platforms to connect people. Today, for anyone engaging in awareness and advocacy online, it is important that they are aware of the different methods some groups use to

What do you think… • What do you think the importance of social platforms are for different marginalised communities? • Do you think the internet and social platforms contribute to social cohesion and bring people together, or do they increase polarisation and the creation of “bubbles” in society? What can be done to create the kind of world we want online?

1 Prosperity Commission 2018: Digital Lives: Meaningful Connections for the Next 3 Billion: https://pathwayscommission.bsg.ox.ac.uk/digital-lives-report 40 2 Security in a Box - Tools and Tactics for the LGBTI Community in Sub-Saharan Africa https://securityinabox.org/en/lgbti-africa/ (please note that the guide is no longer maintained and might therefore contain outdated information). Thoughts and ideas from workshops and interviews with DCA Active Citizenship

”Some of the local partners are training ”We could use online activists to be citizen journalists. They link platforms for project-level CJs to professional journalists to report on intervention, like human rights issues in their community-level meeting areas/community. In these initiatives, I interactions.” think it is very beneficial to use online platforms.”

”As social platforms have become popular and people have increased access to the internet, digital literacy has become more and more important in many of the countries that DCA works in.”

“Some people have taken interest in our work on Facebook. But also we see others following DCA to see ”We could establish regional cross- whether we are country platforms as a way to share interfering in national between, for example, partner politics.” organisations or youth associations on their approaches to advocacy. If an initiative has been successful in one country, e.g., for creating awareness around certain issues, or drawing attention from governments, it's likely that something similar could be possible/successful in a neighbouring country. Or the other way round .”

”DCA's partners in Cambodia developed a code-of-conduct handbook for using social media that can inform people about security and ethics when using social media.”

41 ”In many places, things are already happening locally and there are innovation hubs and initiatives taking place. We should get to know what is close to us, as well.” ”We have many years of experience in working with the problems and should, therefore, look into in which cases tech could be used to address these problems.”

Some of the opportunities relevant for our work within Active Citizenship include digitalising information systems of local government, using tech to report human rights violation cases, strengthening e- governance systems, analysing data, and using tech for a proper presentation of information to help illiterate persons to understand the messages.”

“Online platforms can offer confidentiality for some marginalised groups who cannot act openly.”

”Are the barriers we face more about hardware or mindset?” ”When we talk about rights, face-to-face interaction is still necessary and seems to be more effective in some stages of our work with communities and individuals.”

42

AI, Data, and IoT Impact

Introduction Artificial intelligence (AI) may sound like something from the future. However, you may Maturity already be using many intelligent systems on a daily basis: in Google searches, when your email program blocks spam emails, or when you use a GPS. To put it simply, AI is a computer that is able to make automated decisions. AI is based on algorithms that use computer power and large amounts of data to do anything from understanding language, to recognising images, predicting the weather, analysing causality, making decisions, steering a car, etc. An algorithm is a set of calculations or formulas in a computer. However, in many AI solutions, the calculations and formulas become infinitely complex, containing several variables and layers of calculations. Because of their ability to process large amounts of data and variables, artificial intelligence solutions can be used to analyse patterns not visible to the human eye. IoT consists of everything from simple sensors in Machine learning is a form of AI in which everyday devices to the 1.6 billion new computers can “learn” by themselves. When using smartphones that connect to the internet every machine learning, computer systems are trained to year. These smartphones contain at least 5-6 solve a task by solving the same task over and sensors each able to measure temperature, over again. This task can be, for instance, driving a humidity, and light, and take pictures, etc. car or diagnosing a patient. As the computer gains experience, it upgrades its own model. Big data, artificial intelligence and improved computing can be used to make predictions and Big data is inseparably linked with AI. It refers to analyse patterns not previously visible. Artificial the immense amount of data that is created as a intelligence algorithms have the ability to recognise result of increasing digitalisation. Big data can be patterns in large sets of data and, as IoT sensors used for more sophisticated analysis and gather more and more data, make an analysis of prediction. By using big data, computer systems certain phenomena in society possible – even to can be used to predict incidents and give the point of predicting events before they take unprecedented insights into behavioural patterns. place. This could mean creating early warning In fact, the amount of data in the world is doubling systems for human rights violations and abuse, or every year. At the same time, the capacity to store recognising individuals who are at risk of being and share data is also doubling. This means marginalised. However, there are several ethical exponential growth in the amount of data in the and security considerations when it comes to world feeding into the development of AI. collecting such data from a population, as described in the following pages. Much of the gathered data originates from millions of sensors around the world, also called the Artificial intelligence systems can also be used for Internet of Things (IoT). IoT means that it is not creating individualised systems at almost zero only human beings but also things, like houses, marginal cost. This ability can be used for instance furniture, roads, that are connected to the internet. in creating individualised learning bots (robots, or

43 automated programs, that operate online). These learning bots can be adapted to the specific learning style of every child. Also, artificial legal advice can provide individual legal advice for zero marginal cost. Artificial intelligence poses huge risks to privacy due to its invisible and non-transparent nature. This affects the ability of civil society activists, human rights defenders and members of minority groups to operate anonymously both online and offline, especially in authoritative states and particularly when the government apparatus has strong technical capacities. At the same time, many commercial actors, such as online platforms, have faced a backlash on their handling of private individuals’ data leading to calls for increased regulation and transparency by governments. As with many other technologies, advances in AI present both opportunities and risks. However, the long-term impacts of AI will likely become more significant than we can imagine. AI systems empower both individuals, governments and companies with a completely new set of tools, and these applications can change basic structures in society, such as with employment, decision- making, even warfare. It is therefore crucial that AI systems are understood and debated openly and inclusively both within and between countries. Drivers and enablers

• Processing power: Increasing processing power has enabled more advanced calculations and solutions and the accessibility of processing power outside universities and large corporations has enabled more actors to make use of the technology.

• Acceleration in data accumulation: More and more data is accumulated as more people and devices connect to the internet and the ability to gather and share data improves. In 2010 alone, we produced just as much digital data as produced since the beginning of human history until 2003. Today 90 percent of all online data has been created within the last two years.

• More and more sensors: Prices for IoT sensors and devices are falling, and they are becoming easier to install and use. However, as with other digital technologies, access to IoT reflects existing inequalities in society.

• Satellite images In recent years, the price of satellites has fallen, increasing the number of satellite images available. Satellite images make up another pool of data that can be used with artificial intelligence systems to, for instance, monitor developments in rural areas. The next level of development is microsatellites. These would be more affordable than the current technology and will most likely lead to an escalation in the number of satellites in the orbit and therefore the amount of data collected.

1 See for instance: https://www.news18.com/news/world/ban-killer- 44 robots-before-its-too-late-amnesty-international-pleads-with-un- 1858703.html Inclusive Civil society Accountable Combating Decision- and HRDs institutions Discrimination Making

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Rights View Planet Labs

In May 2017, Microsoft and UN Office of the High Planet Labs was founded with the goal of using Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) space to help life on Earth. The founders and a announced a five-year partnership. A key focus small group of physicists and engineers began area within the partnership is the use of AI and building Planet’s first satellite in a garage in technology to better predict, analyse, and respond California. Planet now operates the world’s largest to growing critical and complex human rights constellation of earth-imaging satellites. They offer situations across the world. A key deliverable of a selection of 3-meter, 5-meter, and 80-centimeter the partnership is Rights View, an AI-powered data products and satellite images used from information dashboard that will allow UN staff to agriculture and emergency response to supply collect and analyse large quantities of internal and chain and infrastructure monitoring. Planet Labs external data on specific countries, and types of designs and manufactures Triple-CubeSat rights violations, in real time. An important feature miniature satellites called Doves that are delivered of Rights View is that it will integrate the internal into orbit as secondary payloads on other rocket data gathered in the field with outside sources of launch missions. Each Dove is equipped with a data from social media, other UN partners, and the high-powered telescope and camera programmed traditional media. Consolidating the data will also to capture different swaths of Earth. The Doves allow information to be cross-checked and verified have recently been used to help California fight automatically using AI and big-data analytics fires and to track work camps in China. instead of requiring human-rights officers to do this preliminary work themselves. Link Link

45 Perspectives

Data-ignited human rights advocacy The authorities or private companies place development of digital tools available for collecting, unprecedented threats on freedom of expression analysing, categorising, and publishing data can and privacy.2 Previous cases have shown that only support the work of human rights organisations. a handful of random likes on Facebook can predict Forensic Architecture is a good example of the a persons sexual orientation, political preferences, way civil society actors can use different sources and mental state. This has been the case even if of data and tools for new ways of doing advocacy. the likes only included apparently trivial data such For instance, as presented on page 49, Forensic as what movies one likes, what one had for dinner, Architecture uses publicly-available data, such as and where one was the previous weekend.3 investigations, videos, media materials and images, and analyses them using memory and 3D Increased protection by smart devices modelling to reconstruct events. This process Smart devices connected to the internet, such as produces strong and critical evidence of human sensors, could possibly help to increase the safety rights violations by state actors. Forensic of human rights defenders given that HRDs Architecture is a good example of how different operate in areas with a reliable internet connection. skills and innovative partnerships across fields can Being able to sound an alarm and have cameras benefit human rights advocacy. streaming video footage directly in case of harassment or invasion of one’s home by officials AI can identify “invisible” human rights could possibly increase the safety of a human violations and risks AI systems can analyse rights defender, and provide important evidence large volumes of data and recognize patterns against the officials misusing their power. This invisible to the human eye. Scanning social media, would require that the HRD have both the skills online video networks, and satellite imagery can and the capacity to use the devices, as well as a identify possible human rights violations, such as reliable internet connection that can stream the regularity in abuses in certain areas or hate data in real time to ensure it is not tampered with speech online. Rights View by Microsoft and by the harassers. OHCHR has the potential of significantly improving analysis and response to human rights violations. Leveraging resources in collaboration Moreover, human rights organisations have Human rights defenders in places where there is a increased access to satellite imagery through scarcity of resources and limited experience and services as Planet Labs presented on the previous knowledge of technology struggle to take page. Satellite imagery coupled with suitable advantage of these tools. The current AI initiatives machine learning algorithms can be used, for require advanced technical skills and resources instance, as an early warning system for and there is a high demand for AI competencies by displacement or other visible atrocities by the private sector. It is therefore recommended to identifying changes in housing or other landscape implement projects in collaboration with other in areas populated by minority groups.1 actors within and outside the global human rights movement and make use of existing platforms and Increased surveillance The permeating and services, as long as they suit the particular invisible nature of AI and machine learning political, infrastructure and security context of the systems poses several risks to human rights country. defenders and vulnerable populations, as AI tools can be used extensively to track behaviour online. Techniques, such as video surveillance, facial recognition and behavioural analysis used by

What do you think… • What if a computer system could predict the occurrence of violence with 80% accuracy before it happened? Would we be able to prevent violence from happening? What could the disadvantages and advantages of this be? • In case you use any social media platforms, do you think that the value you receive from using them is worth the personal data (such as your preferences, contacts, activities, location) you give them?

1 Privacy International 2018: Privacy and Freedom of Expression In the Age of Artificial Intelligence: https://privacyinternational.org/report/1752/privacy-and-freedom- expression-age-artificial-intelligence 46 2 USAID Guide to Making Artificial Intelligence work for International Development 2018. Download at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdWMax- a8StT4zzEadIJtX8SxU2gbc7kN15CuxGKpm_pi7JQA/viewform 3 Wu Youyou, Michal Kosinski, and David Stillwell, PNAS 2015: http://www.pnas.org/content/112/4/1036 Inclusive Civil society Accountable Combating Decision- and HRDs institutions Discrimination Making

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Peoples Intelligence Ushahidi

Peoples Intelligence (PI) automates the collection Ushahidi was initially developed to map reports of of relevant humanitarian and human rights data violence in Kenya after the post-election violence from hard-to-access areas and verifies it using in 2008. Since then, it has evolved into a non-profit crowd-sourcing and mobile phones. PI is a non- technology company with staff in nine countries, profit organisation based in the Netherlands. Their with the mission to help marginalised people raise solution is still in the demo phase, but has received their voices, and those who serve them to listen awards and attention from key actors in the field. and respond better. Ushahidi uses the concept of crowdsourcing for social activism and public PI’s tool seeks to help victims and witnesses better accountability, serving as an initial model for what document and verify their stories and provides has now been coined as "activist mapping"—the them and relevant organisations with actionable combination of social activism, citizen information, thereby facilitating early warning and journalism and geospatial information. Ushahidi targeted assistance. It supports syntactic and offers products that enable local observers to semantic analysis, and allows networking between submit reports using their mobile phones or the affected individuals, communities, relevant internet, while simultaneously creating a temporal organisations, and experts through the use of and geospatial archive of events. The Ushahidi ubiquitous technologies. PI‘s technology is platform is often used for crisis response, human portable and can be applied in multiple domains rights reporting and election monitoring. The and settings, including, but not limited to, citizen company is looking into developing a system using journalism, election monitoring, environment machine learning to improve emergency response degradation, corruption, good governance, labour coordination and linking of responders to those in rights, and businesses’ accountability. need. Link Link

47 Perspectives

Getting voices heard The ability to collect and data. With skewed data like this, the models built manage large volumes of data can help in making on data will be equally skewed. At the same time, decision-making more inclusive by integrating the people in vulnerable situations might not have voices of those not usually heard into an analysis. access to information and the choice to safeguard One application area so far has been seen in city their right to privacy, leaving them even more planning. In the future, these solutions could be vulnerable as data becomes more and more adopted in other areas and contexts. For instance, attractive both for private companies and a Finnish start-up company CHAOS architects1 governments.2 All in all, there is a pressing need has developed a smart cities platform, combining for citizens to understand how data is collected by data from different systems with ideas and the applications, platforms, and devices they use sentiments shared by people about the on a daily basis. Moreover, inclusive public debate environment, producing forecasts that can help is needed on the responsibilities of private local government officials to make better decisions companies and government need to ensure in the future. Another application idea for an AI accountability and transparency. Human rights system has come from the field of peace organisations play an important role in ensuring mediation, with the question of whether machine that human rights of all are considered in this learning algorithms could support peace mediators debate. They also have the potential to use their in mapping out different positions and finding expertise in collaboration with programmers and common ground among opposing groups. This data scientists to create accountable and application is still in an idea phase and is being transparent AI solutions. looked into by FinnChurchAid, among others. Some of the key challenges include capacity, Identifying risks and responding to them resources, data security and sensitivity. However, Ushahidi and other platforms where crowdsourced similar applications could become relevant for data is used for early warning of, for instance, advocacy for increased space for rights and election-related violence, can help in mitigating equality. some of the barriers for equal participation of women and other groups in elections. At a larger Uneven distribution of data The more data, scale, a system that with the help of machine the better insights and the more sophisticated learning, can swiftly and effectively link responders solutions we can create. We’ve already seen that with those in need can help civil society data is unevenly distributed, and the lack of organisations to best leverage their resources in a infrastructure or access to hardware such as time of a crisis.3 Also, algorithms are helping online smartphones, computers, and satellite images, platforms, such as Twitter and Facebook, to significantly reduces data richness. This can lead respond more efficiently to hate speech. to already marginalised communities and regions being left out from the benefits of improved decision-making using data, or even worse, lead to decisions based on false data, leading to worsened inequalities in access to public services and emergency support.

Data and privacy Vulnerable populations might avoid participation in personal data collection with the fear of its connection to government surveillance, leading to exacerbated biases in

What do you think… • Would you like to have a personal AI assistant that would manage your life and give you recommendations of what to buy, whom to vote for etc.? What would be the benefits and disadvantages? • What do you think of the idea that authorities could use data to calculate and learn people’s preferences without their active participation and thus include their needs in decision-making directly?

1 CHAOS Architects: https://www.chaosarchitects.com/ 2 USAID Guide to Making Artificial Intelligence work for International Development 2018. Download at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdWMax- 48 a8StT4zzEadIJtX8SxU2gbc7kN15CuxGKpm_pi7JQA/viewform 3 See for instance Ushaidi 2018: Impact Report: https://www.ushahidi.com/impact-report/history Inclusive Civil society Accountable Combating Decision- and HRDs institutions Discrimination Making

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Forensic Architecture X-Road

Forensic Architecture (FA) is a research agency, The small European country Estonia is a leading based at Goldsmiths, University of London. FA nation when it comes to digital solutions used for undertakes advanced architectural and media governance. One of the solutions developed is an research on behalf of international prosecutors, e-solution for the secure exchange of data human rights organisations, and political and between institutions, called X-Road. The solution environmental justice groups. As an example, has enabled the government of Estonia to operate FA was commissioned to make an interactive completely without a centralised master database. cartographic AI-platform that mapped out and All information is instead held in a distributed data examined the different narratives of an event system and can be exchanged instantly upon taking place in September 2014 in Mexico, where request, providing access any time of the day. The students from the Rural Normal School of X-road connects the nation’s various e-service Ayotzinapa were attacked in the town of Iguala, databases, both in the public and private sector, to Guerrero by local police in collusion with criminal link up and operate in harmony. This offers a full organisations. The data used was drawn from range of services for the general public. To ensure publicly-available investigations, videos, media secure transfers, all outgoing data from X-Road is stories, photographs, and phone logs. FA digitally signed and encrypted, and all incoming transposed the accounts presented across these data is authenticated and logged. Data sources into thousands of data points, each of transparency has been taken a step further and which had been located in space and time, and citizens of Estonia can access a public website then plotted within the platform in order to map and log on to see which actor has viewed their incidents throughout the night, and the complex personal data and when. relationships between them. Link Link

49 Perspectives

The promise and peril of AI There are several of decisions Aerial drones and satellite imagery ways that AI systems can bring benefits to society. are examples of advanced ways available for They can provide more efficient ways of governments and, in some cases, civil society diagnosing certain diseases using large data sets, actors, to monitor whether decisions have been enable self-driving cars and optimised systems, implemented. They allow, for instance, monitoring helping to reduce traffic in cities, and providing of infrastructure projects or nature conservation education support customised to individual needs. areas in remote areas. Early warning mechanisms Moreover, there are hopes that AI systems will using machine learning to detect anomalies can generate wealth and help to solve other social support these efforts. However, at the same time, issues. However, at the same time, there are these tools can also be used to monitor, for concerns that data access and ownership will be instance, illegal settlements, putting vulnerable concentrated in the hands of the few, or that AI groups in risk of government interference.3 systems will be increasingly used in surveillance and government control.1 Legal advice or finding legal loopholes There have been several experiments with The paradox of data security and who developing legal counselling algorithms or “bots” in owns data There is raising concern about privacy which the user writes in information about a case and data security. Studies show that 87% of online and the bot analyses the case and, in some cases, users are concerned with who has access to their even files the claim and runs the case. A famous data and how it is used. However, this is not to be example of this is the app DoNotPay, which has mistaken with people’s unwillingness to share data successfully contested 160,000 parking tickets for useful services. Another study shows that a across London and New York with a success rate majority of students tested were willing to share of 64%. The inventor of the app and the writer of both their own data and their friends (in this case it the algorithm has said, “I think the people getting was email correspondence) in exchange for a free parking tickets are the most vulnerable in society. pizza. Thus, data can still be expected to be These people aren’t looking to break the law. I shared and collected in large quantities, the think they’re being exploited as a revenue source question is who will control the data and for what by the local government.” However, others have purpose and how transparent its use will be. criticised the app for simply finding non-intentional legal loopholes and exploiting them. Artificial legal Privacy and data security in different counselling could make legal counselling available contexts There is increasing focus and concerns for most vulnerable groups in society, but it must about privacy and data security in the west with be made sure that the algorithms do not growing skepticism towards the misuse of data by undermine the legal system as a whole. private companies, as well as government, and calls for tighter regulation to ensure the right to Holding governments accountable with privacy of individuals2. However, at the same time, strong data evidence The availability of data China has advanced in the development of AI and online and through crowdsourcing platforms gives can be seen to have a much more lax approach well organised (and well funded) civil society when it comes to data privacy. This might bring actors another tool for overseeing authorities, and some benefits to the society while at the same time casting light on human rights violations, as in the allowing for increased surveillance by the state. case of Forensic Architecture introduced on the This is a development that human rights advocates previous page. working in different contexts should pay particular attention to and encourage public debate in order Ban killer robots Many technologies are being ensure that the right to privacy is ensured in developed for military purposes. One worrying AI different contexts. application is lethal autonomous weapons that would rely on machine intelligence to decide whom Artificial politicians There is already an to kill, removing human accountability and control increased reliance on data and data modeling in from warfare. Many human rights organisations, decision making. Some companies have now and some states, have campaigned for an invited AI algorithms as members of their board international legal ban on autonomous weapons.4 with voting rights. This means that one member of the board casts a vote solely based on data calculations and predictions. Similarly, it might be possible that in the future “AI-politicians” would make decisions and write policies based on data- simulations and predictions. If so, who would be What do you think… held accountable for these decisions? • Which do you think would be a more just decision-maker: Collecting data to monitor implementation an elected individual or a computer algorithm based on comprehensive data?

1 The Future Society: A Global Civic Debate • Can you think of any decisions that you or your organisation on Governing the Rise of Artificial Intelligence Report 2018 make regularly that could be automated? What could the 2 Privacy International 2018: Privacy and Freedom of Expression In the Age of Artificial Intelligence risks and/or opportunities be? 3 USAID Guide to Making Artificial Intelligence work for International Development 2018. 50 4 https://www.news18.com/news/world/ban-killer-robots-before-its-too-late- amnesty-international-pleads-with-un-1858703.html Inclusive Civil society Accountable Combating Decision- and HRDs institutions Discrimination Making

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Human Behaviour Veriflix Change Program

The Human Behaviour Change Program is an AI- The Belgian media startup Look Live Media has project made in a collaboration between UCL, launched the app VerifFix. It is a new way for news University of Aberdeen, University of Cambridge, companies to source and authenticate user- and IBM. The project’s aim is to develop a free, generated videos. VerifFix helps the user to online system that people can use to query the choose the highest quality and most authentic global evidence on behaviour change. The system content faster than ever before, using artificial is being developed in three phases. In the initial intelligence technology. The app can become a phase, behavioural scientists are entering what helpful tool for many news companies across the they know about behaviour change interventions world, because it enables them to use user- into computers. The scientists are extracting the generated videos to cover events, particularly in key aspects of published intervention studies to remote locations where they do not have input into and train the artificial intelligence system. journalists. VeriFlix also allows companies to file a In the following phase, computer scientists use the special content request, available for users within manually extracted information to develop machine the specified geofence. Veriflix uses advanced learning algorithms. For the third phase of the algorithms to validate the authenticity of the user- project, an online interface will be created to make generated videos in near real time by analysing the the behaviour change information easily metadata, location, and similarities in all submitted accessible. content. The processed citizen journalists' videos will then be aggregated into a Media Platform and Link instantaneously be made available for any editorial purposes. Link

51 Perspectives

Replicating previous racial biases There Facebook can predict a person’s sexual have already been cases in which machine orientation, political preferences, and mental learning tools have replicated existing biases and state.3 This puts severe danger on groups led to amplified discriminatory outcomes based on persecuted by a state capable of such race, gender or income level. This happens when surveillance, or in a case that security of data we let algorithms “learn” how to make decisions collected by social media platforms is based on how humans have previously made compromised and ends up in the hands of extreme decisions. Further mistakes can be difficult to groups. correct and accountability hard to demonstrate due to the complexity of the models. It might not be A deeper understanding of discrimination clear to the human eye what data point or and revealing biases AI and machine learning connection determine the biased decisions.1 AI models can also shed light on biases and experts are currently trying to tackle this issue of discrimination when developed to do just that. “black-boxing” of algorithms by ensuring that the AI Furthermore, AI and machine learning models can can openly explain the basis of the decisions it has be used to gain insights into inequalities. For made. Paradoxically, AI algorithms may turn out to instance, researcher Tahsin Mayeesha used be one of the best tools for us to challenge biased machine learning to make a visualisation of media decision-making. Already now, machine learning coverage of violence against women in and AI have been used to clean data and visualise Bangladesh, with initial results showing that cases racial biases before building autonomous models. that took place in the capital city got more publicity than cases occurring elsewhere in the country.4 Filter bubbles and growing polarization Algorithms used in social media platforms such as Long-term systemic impact of AI The Facebook are increasingly catering to the development and adoption of AI has systematic particular interests of the user to make sure that effects both within and between countries. If the user stays engaged. This feature has widened ownership and access to data is concentrated in polarisation and possibly affected outcomes of the hands of a few companies, benefits of AI democratic processes, such as the 2015 US systems will be unequally distributed. To counter elections and the 2016 Brexit referendum in the this development, there have been calls for open UK. It has become increasingly evident that the source code and transparent algorithms as well as internet and online platforms are not just open redistributive economic policies. Different initiatives spaces where anyone can interact with anyone exist, for instance by the European Union and the and get their voices heard. Instead, digital spaces Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers are increasingly segregated and managed by (IEEE), to create ethical standards for the algorithms designed to benefit the platform development and use of AI.5 Also, AI systems can owners.2 At the same time, online platforms make have a strong impact on the nature of work leading use of AI algorithms to more efficiently target hate to mass unemployment and increasing income speech and identify extremist views on their sites. inequality. At the same time, as mentioned earlier, advanced surveillance systems using AI can lead Privacy threatened The permeating and people in countries with little room for freedom of invisible nature of AI and machine learning expression to change their behaviour, both in systems poses risks to minority groups persecuted public and in private, as the risks of being identified by the state. AI tools can be used extensively to and therefore persecuted for their political views track behaviour online. Previous cases have increases.6 shown that only a handful of random likes on

What do you think… • What if most political decisions were based on data and data simulation models? How do you think the decision would change? What biases would be most replicated? • AI can be used for sophisticated nudging, affecting people’s behaviour and opinions by tailoring information and responses online. What would you like to “nudge” people to behave or think differently about? Could it be used to combat discriminating norms? Do you think it would be ethical?

1 Privacy International 2018: Privacy and Freedom of Expression In the Age of Artificial Intelligence: https://privacyinternational.org/report/1752/privacy-and-freedom- expression-age-artificial-intelligence 2 See for instance: https://www.technologyreview.com/s/611807/this-is-what-filter-bubbles-actually-look-like/ 3 Wu Youyou, Michal Kosinski, and David Stillwell, PNAS 2015: http://www.pnas.org/content/112/4/1036 4 Tahsin Mayeesha: Network Visualization of Media coverage of violence against women in Bangladesh 2016: 52 https://medium.com/learning-machine-learning/network-visualization-of-media-coverage-of-violence-against-women-in-bangladesh-ce13e6112341 5 The Future Society: A Global Civic Debate on Governing the Rise of Artificial Intelligence Report 2018: http://www.thefuturesociety.org/initiatives/the-global-civic-debate-on-the-governance-of-ai/ 6 Privacy International 2018: Privacy and Freedom of Expression In the Age of Artificial Intelligence Thoughts and ideas from workshops and interviews with DCA Active Citizenship

”Technology is an innovative approach for our office. It’s often mainstream in ”How can the whole partners' project implementation. It helps organisation be tech- in rapid assessment, reduces workload, savvy?” keeps us updated on high-tech information and news.”

”Capacities of staff and partners, as well as the price of hardware, are some of the challenges we face in introducing new technologies into our work.”

”Could crowdsourcing of public perceptions on government performance powered by big data analysis be a way to increase ”Could we use chatbots when it comes to government staff behaviour to ensure immediate accountability without support, for example within PSEA (= exposing individuals?” Prevention of Sexual Abuse and Exploitation)? Maybe in combination with active information sharing (text messages), and then linking to chatbots for first support.”

”Could sensors on public utilities enable transparent tracking and use, as well as preventing fraud?”

53 ”I would love to hear if there is an AI tool for fighting fake news.”

”It can be difficult to know when we should create something new and when we should use something that others have created.”

”We need to continuously look for new sources and ways of funding, as the traditional project approach does not leave much space for innovation and iterative processes. We cannot always predict the outcome of innovation projects. Also, risk aversion is a barrier for innovation.”

”Could we use chatbots for immediate support on gender-based violence? ”

”It is important that we move beyond any silos both within and outside of the organisation. We could perhaps start by creating a group of tech-interested people within DCA to share information ”What if we made a risk map for and inspiration.” discrimination based on natural language processing applied to, for example, twitter messages?“

54

Blockchain Impact

Maturity

Introduction Blockchain is, simply explained, a list, a database, or a record of information. Official records are important as they contain valuable information, for instance on ownership of land, family relations, contracts, or pay-outs of any kind. With blockchain, instead of having one list of information or record in one place, like on paper at an office or in an Excel sheet on a computer, the record is encrypted and then copied repeatedly to the numerous computers in the blockchain network. The “list” that is spread on all the particularly promising advantages in regions where computers is called a ledger. Blockchain is government and institutions are weak, public trust sometimes also referred to as a “distributed is low or where bureaucracy is high. In those ledger”. cases, blockchain might offer a digital alternative, leapfrogging the long process of building trust or Every time someone alters information on the changing an existing system. This is called blockchain list or the database, all the copies of the disintermediation – where intermediates, such as record on the different computers in the network institutions or institutional functions, are replaced are updated with the change in a new “block”. This by a digital infrastructure. block contains information on by whom, when and where the change was made. The block structure It needs to be noted, however, that in early 2019, gives blockchain its name. the technology is still immature and needs to be developed further. There are several initiatives in A user can alter the record on the blockchain only which different actors are experimenting on how if the change is verified by several other users of blockchain may be used. There have even been the particular network. Thus, there is a so-called concerns regarding working conditions among network effect in which more users on the some blockchain providers, especially in the blockchain means higher security. Since the record blockchain mining business. Most projects are also is copied to several computers, it is also very still at the level of ‘proof of concept’ or pilot testing. difficult to hack and tamper with the data. If anyone Furthermore, the main benefit that a blockchain would like to hack the record, they would need to can offer is in large and dispersed networks. hack all the computers at once. However, today most blockchain solutions are still Blockchain differs from centralised systems, like fairly small and centralised. One could say that we those maintained by banks and governments, in are yet to see the full potential of blockchain the way that there is no “master file” or a trusted technology. institution that safeguards the information. Instead, trust in the system is in its design – the distributed, transparent and tamperproof nature of a blockchain. Therefore, blockchain has

55 Cryptocurrency is another term usually associated with blockchain. Cryptocurrencies are alternative digital currencies that work using a blockchain system. Bitcoin is the best-known cryptocurrency, but thousands of alternative coins exist. Just like with any other currency, cryptocurrencies can be traded. However, there is no central bank or institution managing the currency by devaluation or revaluation, or by adjusting interest rates.

Drivers and enablers • Increased processing power, cryptography and faster network connections make possible the distributed infrastructure that is at the core of blockchain networks and the foundation for the security in its design. • Interest in cryptocurrencies Cryptocurrencies, like Bitcoin, have increased interest in the blockchain technology, while at the same time creating a lot of hype and speculation. It is important to note that cryptocurrencies are only one way of using the blockchain technology.

• Supply chain optimisation Complex supply chains including actors from all over the world and posing a high risk for corruption and fraud have much to gain from a more transparent system to track goods and resources. Much of the investment in non- cryptocurrency related blockchain has gone to supply chain management.

• Increase in IoT sensors The development in Internet of Things (IoT) sensors measuring and registering the physical world and translating it into digital data makes it more and more relevant to transition from analogue lists to digital ones.

56 Inclusive Civil society Accountable Combating Decision- and HRDs institutions Discrimination Making

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Publiq UN Women and Innovation Norway

Publiq is a non-profit organisation established to In March 2017, UN Women and Innovation support authors of digital content. By making use Norway, the Norwegian Government's instrument of the trust and permanent nature of the blockchain for innovation and development of enterprises, technology, Publiq seeks to “reshape the media partnered to work for strengthening gender industry by enabling a censorship-free generation”, equality and women’s empowerment through and a better way of selecting and assessing innovative technology solutions. The partnership content. between UN Women and Innovation Norway is set to create platforms and projects, including The goal of the blockchain-distributed media exploring how blockchain technology could work platform is to fight the influx of fake news, biased for women and girls, and to secure that women reporting and censorship in the media today. Using and girls in crisis situations will be able to have blockchain for the platform makes articles secure safe records of documents that are essential to and resistant to censorship as they cannot be rebuilding their lives and to undertake economic altered or taken down. The non-profit organisation activities. In May 2017, UN Women participated in also shares any profit generated from the platform a hackathon at the Katapult Future Fest in Oslo to directly with the community of authors. explore the potential of blockchain as a solution to some of the problems that women face in Link humanitarian contexts. Link

57 Perspectives Creating a decentralised way of verifying sometimes costly processes with blockchain information Initiatives like Publiq make use of developers, who are very much in-demand these the decentralised and verifiable nature of days. According to one blockchain guideline2, you blockchain technology to create a new way of might have a blockchain case if all the following creating news and sharing information. This premises apply: system could be relevant for information generated on human rights-related issues. A key component • More than one actor needs to add data to the of the blockchain network is its traceability and system; transparency. This could put individuals • Data records should never be updated or contributing information on the system at risk of deleted; being traced if their activity on the blockchain system was linked to their real identity. However, if • You do not need to document sensitive the activists were aware of these risks and were identifiers into the database; able to make sure that their blockchain keys were not exposed, the risks could be mitigated. • It is difficult to determine whether one actor should control and manage the system; New ways of funding for civil society initiatives One phenomenon in the blockchain • You need to audit when and what happened. space has been crowdfunding of initiatives by using “Initial Coin Offerings” (ICO). In ICOs, a If all the premises do not apply to your case, you number of tokens, or cryptocoins, are sold to an might consider different types of databases. investor in exchange for official currency often with the promise that the tokens go up in value if the project is successful. This method has been a way for start-ups to crowdsource investment. The method has also been criticised by some due to several scams happening in the space, as well as general criticism for cryptocurrencies creating a bubble and allowing for market manipulation. ICOs have therefore faced regulation in many countries. There have been suggestions that ICOs could be used to crowdsource funding for non-profit initiatives and allow for supporting local actors directly.

When to use blockchain? With the ongoing hype about blockchain technology and the fact that it is a complex system that can be used for different purposes, some of which are yet to be discovered, there have been a plethora of blockchain initiatives, many of which have not led to actual impact. Assessing whether a blockchain solution is necessary to solve the problem at hand is extremely important before embarking on

What do you think… • What if we could always trace where information online originated from, such as in news articles or tweets. Do you think this would help to combat the spread of misinformation and how could it change the way news are consumed today? • If blockchain technology develops and becomes more accessible and easier to use, can you think of other possible use cases of the technology for human rights advocacy?

1 See for instance: Sustainia, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark and Coinify 2017: Hack the Future of Development Aid. 58 2 Michael Pisa, Center for Global Development 2018: Reassessing Expectations for Blockchain and Development: https://www.cgdev.org/publication/reassessing- expectations-blockchain-and-development-cost-complexity Inclusive Civil society Accountable Combating Decision- and HRDs institutions Discrimination Making

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Virtual Inclusive Participation in Decision-Making reality Cases

Building Blocks by BitMari WFP

As part of its pilot programme “Building Blocks”, BitMari is a payment platform that was founded in World Food Programme (WFP) is using blockchain Zimbabwe in 2016. The platform seeks to lower to make cash transfers more efficient, transparent the cost and increase the speed of remittance and secure. In January 2017, WFP initiated a payments throughout the African diaspora. BitMari ‘proof of concept’ to confirm basic assumptions uses Blockchain technology to offer quick and low- around the capabilities of blockchain in cost payment transfers as an alternative to authenticating and registering transactions in the traditional remittance platforms and their exorbitant Sindh province in Pakistan. Taking lessons fees. The average cost of remittances in Africa is learned, WFP built and implemented a more robust the highest in the world, with fees as high as 20% blockchain system in refugee camps in Jordan. As per transfer. In June 2017 BitMari announced a of October 2018, more than 100,000 people partnership with the Agricultural Bank of Zimbabwe residing in camps plan to redeem their WFP- to integrate blockchain technology into their provided assistance through the blockchain-based consumer offerings. system. At the refugee camps, Building Blocks has been integrated with the UN refugee agency Link UNHCR’s existing biometric authentication technology. Link

59 Perspectives

Safer and easier to vote digitally A blockchain-based system is safer than the systems we use today. Blockchain is, in theory, impossible to hack, which opens up interesting opportunities for conducting voting electronically. Electronic voting enables a more convenient and accessible voting process and thus potentially attracts voters that, today, would not be able to travel to a voting station. A more convenient, safer and quicker voting process may further enable more frequent voting ballots. This could lead to a rise of more direct democratic decision- making not solely dependent on representatives. However, the voters would need to have access to the blockchain network, including the right hardware and fast-enough internet connection. Rights on a blockchain One of the opportunities for tackling a real and tangible problem by using blockchain technology is that of land rights. This has been particularly relevant in countries where corruption is rife, and/or a reliable system for documenting land titles is missing. Better documentation that is secured from tampering may strengthen the right to hold land and property of marginalised groups, such as women. Blockchain may enable us to make paperwork and physical contracting digital, and smoother systems without increasing the risk of someone tampering with the data1. Blockchain is however in itself not necessarily safer than a paper contract. Just like a paper contract may be stolen, a personal key or ID to a blockchain may be stolen or forced to be given up. The security problem might be addressed by crossing blockchain with other technologies, such as facial recognition and finger prints. What blockchain enables is, however, a smoother and more easily accessible digital registry of land Foto: Line Brylle rights. In a blockchain system, every transaction of a land right will be registered including when it was traded and who was involved. Therefore, no one can tamper with such historical data and claim that a land ownership has been transferred unless the previous land holder took part in the transaction.

What do you think…

• What do you think the impact of moving elections to the digital space could be in different contexts? • Do you think there are any other rights in addition to land rights that could be meaningfully documented on a blockchain?

60 1 Sustainia, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark and Coinify 2017: Hack the Future of Development Aid. Inclusive Civil society Accountable Combating Decision- and HRDs institutions Discrimination Making

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Virtual Equitable Distribution of Resources through Inclusive reality and Accountable Institutions Cases

Coca-Cola and Disberse Blockchain

In a quest to end forced labour in its supply chain, Disberse is a new type of financial institution for the Coca-Cola company teamed up with the United the development cooperation industry. It is building States State Department and three crypto a service that will ensure more transparent, organisations (Bitfury Group, Blockchain Trust efficient and effective flows of development Accelerator and Emercoin). It launched a pilot support. Built on blockchain technology, the project focused on examining the labour conditions platform enables development organisations to in the Coca-Cola sugar supply chains in 28 track the international flow of funds through the countries. The initiative seeks to use blockchain's whole value chain, from the original donor to final distributed ledger technology to create a secure, recipient. In 2017, Disberse implemented its first decentralised registry for workers and their pilot project, distributing and tracking funds from contracts. The idea is to improve traceability of the the United Kingdom to Swaziland for a girls’ identification as well as create a trail of evidence in education project. In the future, Disberse aims to case employers abuse their power or break become the backbone for a range of innovative agreements. services, working with partners to create a new ecosystem of development financing. Link Link

61 Perspectives Encrypt to safeguard data With blockchain (DBVN)”. Bitnation has hosted the world’s first technology, it is possible to encrypt data so that it blockchain marriage, birth certificate, refugee is not hackable by any unauthorised entity, but still emergency ID, World Citizenship and DBVN easily transferable in a larger network. In Estonia, Constitution. It has created a blockchain the government has taken advantage of this jurisdiction, in which one can build communities, technology and created a system in which various make contracts, resolve disputes and make public institutions and semi-public companies, all agreements based on reputation. The Bitnation with their own computer systems, can share data activists believe that these digital decentralised while protecting the system from hacking from the services will over time take over centralised outside.1 This is a huge opportunity for protecting government services. However, some sensitive data on individuals, while still being able governments, like the government of Estonia, have to transfer communication or memos across integrated blockchain systems into their services.3 different computer systems. Transparent value chains Another interesting Smart contracts and peer-to-peer trading use case in which blockchain technology can be One of the most interesting possibilities with seen to bring true value is in creating transparent blockchain is the ability to use this secure digital value chains to monitor, for instance labour rights infrastructure to create so-called 'smart contracts’. as in the Coca-Cola case, or the environmental Smart contracts are contracts that, on the basis of footprint of a certain product. One of the a pre-determined code, can enforce themselves - challenges in applying blockchain in these cases is without lawyers and paperwork and without the the fact that the system in itself does not improve need for trust between the parties. One may say the reliability of the data that is entered into the that all the paragraphs and conditions that are system in the first place4. However, the traceability usually present in a physical contract, which are and transparency in the design can reduce the intended to trigger penalties, rewards or certain likelihood that false data will be put into the actions, are written into a computer code that system. automatically executes itself based on the data flowing into the system. This may save a lot of Transparency for empowering small resources, as well as make it possible to enter into farmers DCA has explored the possibility of using contracts for far more trivial transactions, because blockchain technology as an additional layer in the cost of design and enforcement is close to online market platforms connecting producers and zero. Some see a lack of dependence on buyers in Bangladesh, with the aim that trustworthy institutions, as middlemen can transparency could empower producers with more encourage more peer-to-peer trading, a growth in leverage in negotiating prices of their products. the sharing economy and even self-governance There has also been a study conducted at DCA without the need for a centralised state authority. headquarters recently looking into the benefits and Regulation and standards imposed by disadvantages of using blockchain in app-based governments on the use of the technology might market platforms relevant for DCA’s work. For impede this development. At the same time, more information, contact Karin Wied Thomsen, however, government regulation ensures linkages Programme Advisor, Value Chains and Inclusive to existing systems that are key to functioning Business ([email protected]). societies, such as taxation. It might also appear that if issues with blockchain contacts appear, a central authority will be called in2. Replacing state authority One of the movements challenging the nation state by using blockchain technology is Bitnation. Created in 2014, Bitnation calls itself the world’s first “Decentralised Borderless Voluntary Nation

What do you think… • Do you think consumers would change their behaviour if they could easily track the origin and value chain of all products they were about to purchase? • How would human rights be affected if most state functions were taken over by decentralised services on a blockchain system? • Can you think of any “trivial” transaction that could benefit from a binding contract even though it may appear too small or frequent today to be covered by a contract?

1 E-Estonia: https://e-estonia.com/solutions/security-and-safety/ 2 Rob Baker, TechnologySalon 2017: How to use blockchain for international development: http://technologysalon.org/use-blockchain-international-development/ 62 3 Bitnation: https://tse.bitnation.co 4 Michael Pisa, Center for Global Development 2018: Reassessing Expectations for Blockchain and Development: https://www.cgdev.org/publication/reassessing- expectations-blockchain-and-development-cost-complexity Inclusive Civil society Accountable Combating Decision- and HRDs institutions Discrimination Making

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Virtual Combating Discrimination and Promoting Rights of reality Excluded Groups Cases

Humaniq Moni

Humaniq is a simple blockchain-based app that In 2015, The Finnish Immigration Service Migri delivers financial inclusion solutions. Its mission is partnered with a Helsinki-based start-up MONI as to “empower the unbanked” in emerging part of a pilot project that offered refugees a economies. Humaniq creates user profiles based prepaid Mastercard linked to their digital identity on on biometric data such as facial and voice a blockchain. Today, the program has several recognition algorithms. Potential users are not thousand active cardholders. This makes it easier required to have a passport or an email account. A for refugees to find employment and receive person can use a smartphone to take a photo of salary. It also allows them to pay bills themselves and record a video making facial electronically. It ultimately can speed up the gestures. Humaniq offers an initial deposit of process of becoming established and integrated Humaniq tokens (HMQ) that can be used as store into society. At the same time, as all transactions of value and a means of payment and a medium of are recorded on the blockchain, the Finnish exchange on the platform. They can be exchanged authorities are able to monitor where refugees are with the third-party services utilizing Humaniq such spending money in an anonymised way, which as insurance, data security, small business loans, offers a tool to the government to better and pensions. understand the needs of this vulnerable group. Link Link

63 Perspectives

Blockchain for access to identity and services There are several examples of how blockchain, often combined with other technologies, may help to empower marginalised groups, such as refugees, who lack access to verified identity documents. These services give the individuals control of their identity data as they can choose to provide it when needed. Initiatives, like Moni in Finland (see previous page), can assist the process of integrating refugees into society and provide them with access to, among other things, financial services. Blockchain solutions have also been tested to maintain trusted immunisation records for refugees, ensuring that they have access to the right services if relocating to another camp in order to double vaccination. As these initiatives deal with people in vulnerable situations, it is highly important that the people participating in such a program understand what is at stake. Some of the challenges include risks for losing one’s private key to access the information, in which case the digital identity needs to be re- established. Moreover, particularly when the solutions target individuals and groups facing persecution, privacy and data security are key to ensure they are not put at more risk.1

Foto: Tine Sletting

What do you think… • What difference would it make if every individual had a unique digital identity like in the Humaniq case? What would the impact be for marginalised groups? How would it affect healthcare and the economy, for instance? • Can you think of any other information than identity and vaccination data that could be registered in a blockchain system and in which the individual would hold the private key and could share it only when they chose to?

1 Michael Pisa, Center for Global Development 2018: Reassessing Expectations for Blockchain and Development: https://www.cgdev.org/publication/reassessing- 64 expectations-blockchain-and-development-cost-complexity Thoughts and ideas from workshops and interviews with DCA Active Citizenship

”In the country we work in, the ”Could we use blockchain government is looking into e-government for beneficiary-tracking, to solutions. Also, the private sector is ensure and secure who promoting the use of technology and are receives what in a secure open in some cases to working with NGOs, way?” even when it comes to advocacy efforts.”

”The challenge with blockchain is that the system requires a lot of energy, as everything is encrypted and data from every transaction is stored.”

“I guess using blockchain could be useful in terms of fighting fraud in beneficiary ”One of the major challenges we face with registrations, as we applying new technologies is that the have heard happens in program officer is already busy and would various places.” need to allocate time for studying and identifying feasible opportunities. We would also need more time to make field visits and interact with beneficiaries and other relevant stakeholders to generate innovative ideas. We should also allocate more time for discussion and reflection within the team.”

”Could we use a crypto currency to fund human rights defenders and their organisations?”

65 ”This convinces me that we need to continuosly monitor and explore technology.”

”We need to understand whether applying the technology is realistic in the context, what the responsibility of DCA is in delivering it, and how it adds value to our programmes.”

” Could blockchain technology be used in Active Citizenship to create a safe and trusted learning and data-sharing platform among various actors?”

”Can we use blockchain proof-of-service as a way of ensuring public service delivery?”

”When we talk about applying new technologies, we need to think about accountability, who decides what, and what are the mechanisms to ensure ”When applying technologies to democratic ownership – and our work, we need to constantly what DCA’s role is in all of this.” search for a balance between the grassroots approach we take, and a more strategic direction.”

66

Virtual reality Impact

Maturity

Introduction

Virtual reality (VR) is actually a rather old technology, invented in the 1960s. VR is usually designed using special VR glasses with two screens that you wear on your head. While you move your head, the picture changes, creating the convincing illusion of looking around in a 360- degree virtual world. These virtual and digital universes can be both programmed (created digitally), or filmed (films of the real world), and you grow accustomed to navigating in them surprisingly fast. The intuitive character of the technology makes it suitable for children, adults, and the elderly. Furthermore, it It is not, however, only travel destinations that has been shown that experiencing something become accessible. The most expensive through VR creates double the empathic reaction laboratories and research centres can now be built for the viewer compared to viewing the same event in VR, and are open to anyone, at a fraction of the on a normal screen. Advanced virtual reality cost of a real laboratory. VR is not only a equipment today has both sound and haptic broadcasting technology, but also a social feedback (sensory stimuli), which makes the technology. Interactive VR solutions, such as experience even more realistic. Facebook Spaces, are already available today, although not widely used due to the cost of the In virtual reality you can go anywhere: to the top of hardware required. Different companies are also Mount Everest, or the bottom of the ocean. VR creating solutions for developing avatars that look allows you to expand your creativity and do things like their users. that might not be possible in the real world. You can move walls, build a new road, bring in more To use VR technology, one needs to have access people to your meeting, or draw something three- to electricity and a fairly stable internet connection dimensional, all with just a click of your finger. You to download the applications. Although VR can be can also demonstrate scenarios, and real or used with affordable cardboard glasses, the fictional events in a powerful way. Many artists hardware that offers the best quality of experience have been experimenting with VR content. is still rather expensive, though prices are dropping rapidly. As the technology develops and becomes even more realistic, it could offer an alternative to Augmented reality refers to a digital layer that is travelling to holiday destinations or business added to the real world. It can be used on a phone, meetings. Replacing airplane travel with meetings a tablet or smart glasses. Through the screen, you in VR can have a positive impact on our ecological look at an object in the real world and data or other footprint. visuals are added onto that image. AR is being used and further developed for, among other things, entertainment (heard of Pokemon Go?), education, and user manuals in some industries.1

67 1 https://www.kanda.dk/hypetionary/ Drivers and enablers

• Increased computing power Increase in computer power in smaller computer units makes it possible to create easily portable VR solutions that are fast enough to trick the brain without any side effects, such as nausea due to flickering images. • Cheaper and better screens and faster processing in smartphones The possibility to mount your smartphone in a cheap pair of VR glasses has made the experience accessible to more people. However, not all VR applications are available on smart phones and the quality of experience can differ from the more expensive headsets.

• Availability of VR programming kits The availability of 360-degree video cameras on the consumer market has made it easier and cheaper to produce VR content. Also, VR programming kits have become more accessible, leading to more actors experimenting with, and developing VR solutions.

• Falling hardware prices The cost of VR hardware is dropping rapidly. You can now purchase a decent set of hardware for less than the price of a smartphone. Some predict that VR headsets might soon become as popular as smart phones. VR experiences can also be accessed with a regular smart phone and a pair of cardboard glasses available for USD 8 upwards.

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The UN Virtual Reality Crossing the Line Series

Since January 2015, the United Nations Human Rights First and RYOT Studios created a Sustainable Development Goals Action Campaign two-part, 360-degree virtual reality video series has coordinated the United Nations Virtual Reality called “Crossing the Line”. For this project, Human Series to bring the world’s most pressing Rights First and RYOT met with asylum seekers at challenges closer to decision-makers and citizens the United States-Mexico border to capture the around the world, while pushing the bounds of situation of some of the world’s most vulnerable empathy. The UN Virtual Reality Series shows the populations. The series follows asylum human story behind development challenges, seekers fleeing persecution and seeking allowing decision-makers to have a deeper protection at the southern border of the United understanding of the everyday realities of those in States. It allows the viewers to experience the danger of being left behind. The series seeks to dangerous journey that asylum seekers take in expand its reach and address crises that threaten search of safety. The video series draws upon a the livelihoods of vulnerable groups. Crises such report by Human Rights First, documenting 125 as war, health epidemics, and natural disasters, as cases in which US border agents unlawfully turned well as every-day global challenges, such as away asylum seekers. climate change, pollution, and migration. Link Link

69 Perspectives Telling powerful stories on human unlawful surveillance. One study has even shown that gaze-tracking can be used to influence rights in VR With recent backlashes against 1 human rights, the ability to tell stories about the people's biases and decision-making . importance of human rights – stories that inspire empathy and solidarity - has become even more Strengthening capacity through VR important. Many advocacy groups have used VR and AR Many industries are exploring ways to as a medium, with good results (see for instance use virtual reality and augmented reality in training the learning case on Amnesty International’s Syria their staff in different skills. This could also be used 360 project on page 83). VR can bring value to by human rights organisations, for instance to these organisations and help them to mobilise conduct training on security, or dealing with difficult resources, communicate impact, and create situations. powerful messages for advocacy, targeting both decision-makers and citizens. As mentioned in a VR evidence Virtual reality could be used to workshop for this project, VR could also be used to reconstruct events based on recollection of demonstrate the impact and success stories of witnesses and other data available. In the future, DCA programmes. judges in a court could have a deeper and more realistic understanding of the events they are to Anonymous avatars can both enable analyse by “standing in the shoes” of different and prevent abuse In virtual reality meeting witnesses. In the future, such applications could spaces, you can create an avatar that moves become relevant for investigating human rights around and meets with other people. This can violations, building on the work done by civil allow someone to stay anonymous while society activists, such as Forensic Architects (see discussing sensitive topics. This could possibly page 49) collecting ample evidence and provide a safe space for human rights defenders in reconstructing situations. difficult situations to meet with others, share experiences, and get psychosocial support. However, it needs to be ensured that you can truly be anonymous on the platform and that your identity cannot be revealed. Many of the large platform providers today only allow profiles that are connected to a verified real-life identity in order to trace and/or censor any potential offenders in the virtual world. Surveillance becomes even more sophisticated Everything that happens in VR can be recorded and even traced. Some providers of VR hardware are also experimenting with cameras that trace eye movements and facial tractions. The objective with tracing eye movement and facial expression is to create a more immersive VR experience and more realistic avatars. However, it may also be (mis)used by advertisers and authorities for manipulation and

What do you think… • What do you think are the most important cases in which virtual experiences could be used to inspire empathy? • If human rights defenders working in difficult situations could safely meet each other in virtual reality, what do you think the impact on the global human rights movement would be? • What kind of stories and experiences would you want to share in a virtual experience, with whom and why?

1 PNAS 2015: Biasing moral decisions by exploiting the dynamics of eye gaze: 70 http://www.pnas.org/content/pnas/112/13/4170.full.pdf Inclusive Civil society Accountable Combating Decision- and HRDs institutions Discrimination Making

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Weaving a Better Temme Media Future

Weaving a Better Future is a virtual reality Temme (a combination of Tech and Femme), is a experience created by the Canadian Museum of creative studio and a platform working to develop a Human Rights. With a VR headset, you can dynamic female voice within the VR/AR space. experience a captivating, 360-degree immersive The studio produces customised VR/AR documentary that places you at the centre of every experiences for brands and artists that are scene in which you can experience the strength interested in exploring how technology can better and resilience of Indigenous Maya women. relate to female audiences and the different ways Weaving a Better Future lets you explore how the in which women are interested in using technology. women are improving their lives and the lives of Temme Media was created by Sybil Steele, who their families by working together in weaving used her experience producing documentaries cooperatives. You meet women artisans who are about global issues. The platform combines healing from the trauma of human rights violations, narrative storytelling with emerging technologies to preserving their culture by hand-weaving on reach female audiences in a more authentic way. backstrap looms, and asserting their right to earn a livelihood. Link Link

71 Perspectives

Amplifying networks in VR Many companies that might come in one’s way. are working to create interactive VR spaces. As the hardware becomes more affordable, this could Designers of virtual worlds become the provide opportunities for creating meeting spaces new society architects It has been shown that that are accessible for those who, for some the design of a virtual world affects the way people reason, are not able to join a physical meeting. VR act and what they value both inside and outside meeting spaces could also enhance the that world. In essence, VR may function as an experience of some online communities that today extreme form of nudging, in which certain exist in social platforms, and create more intimate behaviour in the space is rewarded or punished and meaningful interactions in the virtual space. with certain images, information, or a response Organisations and movements that are spread out from the game or the system. Therefore, if the in different parts of the world, like DCA, could also design of the virtual world has such a strong use VR in creating more understanding within the impact on the way we behave and even interact organisation. In fact, the DCA Learning Lab has with each other, who will keep the designers been experimenting with the technology by responsible for the choices they make and the creating VR content on the daily work of the nudging they create? This is one reason why Uganda Country Office. initiatives such as Temme Media are important in ensuring a diversity of different VR spaces. Access to hardware may lead to access to decision-making spaces Imagine if decision- making bodies and meetings were moved into VR spaces. This could provide some benefits, such as convenience and documentation possibilities, as everything can be recorded and saved for future reference. This could enable more inclusive access to decision-making bodies and spaces. However, there are still barriers, such as hardware, for organising such meetings. Even if the spaces could be accessed using a smart phone and affordable cardboard glasses, one would still need electricity and a reliable internet connection, as well as at least a minimum level of digital literacy to navigate the virtual world. Empowerment through experiences and training Virtual reality experiences could be used to strengthen the capacities of marginalised groups to take part in decision-making. Through educational and entertainment content, such as games, one could gain understanding of the political architecture and train different skills, such as negotiation and public speaking. VR experiences could also be used to practise responding to different scenarios, such as barriers

What do you think… • If you could connect anyone in the world with someone else, in a virtual space, who would you connect and why? • If everyone had the ability and tools to create virtual worlds, how would these spaces differ from each other? • What skills relevant for gaining access to decision-making do you think could be practised in virtual reality, and why?

1 https://www.amazon.com/Cardboard-IHUAQI-Headstrap-Compatible-Comfortable/dp/B073TZHV4K?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_2 72 2 https://www.citylab.com/life/2016/10/virtual-reality-empathy-natural-world/502694/ Inclusive Civil society Accountable Combating Decision- and HRDs institutions Discrimination Making

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Spot the Surveillance Kanda/WHO - Feed Cities Initiative

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) The Feed Cities Initiative is a project by the World launched a virtual reality (VR) experience that Health Organisation (WHO), in which they worked teaches people in the United States how to spot together with the Danish VR company Kanda to and understand the surveillance technologies used enable the WHO to “teleport” decision-makers to by the police vis-à-vis communities. Spot the key destinations otherwise too difficult and Surveillance works best with a VR headset, but expensive to reach. The material was created by can also be accessed on standard internet shooting a 360-degree video at different locations browsers. The experience places users in a 360- across Europe. It can be watched through degree street scene in San Francisco, where a affordable, cardboard VR glasses. young resident is in an encounter with the police. Users are then challenged to identify surveillance Link tools by looking around the scene. The surveillance technologies featured in the scene include a body-worn camera, automated license plate readers, a drone, a mobile biometric device and pan-tilt-zoom cameras. Link

73 Perspectives Virtual reality to bridge the gap between goods and services, education, etc. Some of this duty bearers and rights holders The impact trend is already being seen on social platforms for of a virtual reality experience has been shown to youth in many high-income countries where a large be stronger than watching something on a regular part of their social interactions take place online, screen. This impact has been used to create rather than in their local community. The extreme deeper understanding of issues, as well as form of this would be nations and societies moving empathy among decision-makers. A question into virtual countries with no digital boarders. raised in one of the workshops for this project was whether duty bearers would empathise more with right holders if they could experience the consequences of public services not being delivered, and whether this could lead to them minimising fraud and corruption.

Educating citizens in VR The Spot the Surveillance initiative presented on the previous page is a good example of efforts to leverage VR to create more impactful educational material and empower citizens to hold duty bearers responsible. At the same time, VR could also be leveraged to support citizens to better understand their rights. One does not need to be literate in order to experience VR content. This could possibly support capacity-building efforts in some marginalised communities, as long as the hardware and software are made accessible, including guidance on setting up the system. Everything may be recorded, revisited and analysed Due to its digital nature, everything that happens in VR can be stored, replayed at a later point in time, and analysed as data. As the price for data storage falls drastically, it is expected that more and more data will be saved and stored. In case public meetings and interactions between civil servants and citizens were to be moved to a virtual space, recording and storing all meetings will hold public servants more accountable for their actions. However, it may also be used as an extreme form of surveillance of citizens.

Virtual communities Some argue that virtual communities may take over many of the benefits of physical communities, such as the feeling of belonging, identity, sharing information, trading

What do you think… • If every interaction between duty bearers and right holders was recorded, what kind of implications would this have? Would it strengthen institutions and help fight corruption, and/or could it have negative consequences on, for instance, right holders? • What do you think of the suggestion that duty bearers might work harder to end corruption if they could experience the consequences of corruption in VR? • What do you think of the statement that virtual communities could replace real-life communities in the long run?

74 Inclusive Civil society Accountable Combating Decision- and HRDs institutions Discrimination Making

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Virtual Human Domestic Violence Interaction Lab

Harvard University has created the Virtual Human Researchers in the University of Barcelona Interaction Lab in order to address sexual and developed a virtual reality experiment to treat men racial discrimination. The mission of the Virtual who have committed a domestic violence crime by Human Interaction Lab is to understand the placing them in their victim’s shoes. In the study, dynamics and implications of interactions among the researchers show that people behaving people in immersive virtual reality simulations, and violently have a lack of emotional recognition, but other forms of human digital representations in that their empathy can be improved using virtual media, communication systems and games. The experiences. The researchers analysed the impact Human Interaction Lab's diversity demos are of immersive VR on 20 abusers, as well as 19 designed to transport users into unfamiliar and control participants. In the session, the participants unsettling realms. In one scenario, a user entered a virtual environment, in which their body is represented by an African-American female was depicted as that of a woman. They then avatar who is being angrily harassed by a white observed a man entering the scene and displaying avatar. When the user reflexively lifts his or violent behavior while slowly moving towards them. her arms in self-defence, the arms have dark skin. Results showed that before going through the VR experience, the offenders had a low ability to Link recognise fear in a woman’s face. After experiencing themselves as the victim in the VR session, however, the ability to recognise fear improved. Link

75 Perspectives

Create more empathy with VR It has been abuse is possible and can be even more powerful shown that experiencing something and meeting in virtual spaces than in online platforms due to the other people in VR creates more empathy than immersive character of the technology. This leaves watching a normal screen. A recent study shows marginalised groups vulnerable to abuse in the that the more interactive the experience is, the virtual space and calls for moderation of these more empathy it is possible to create. For meeting spaces. Also, some virtual reality content example, being able to walk around in the space can bring up past traumas for those who have creates a more immersive experience than a been abused or have experienced other traumatic space in which the viewer has to remain in one events similar to the experiences in VR. spot1. Virtual reality experiences, like Virtual Human Interaction Lab, and Domestic Violence, can help to create empathy, and potentially change discriminatory social norms and values and possibly alter societal structures in the future.

Be anyone you like or everyone is alike In some VR meeting spaces, you can create your own avatar and portray yourself as another gender, age, or ethnicity. With evolving technology, you might even be able to change your voice and the language you speak. This could allow for interesting experiments on how different characteristics affect our position in society. There is also the possibility to design virtual worlds where all avatars have the same physical attributes. Often these avatars are rather cartoonish in their look and might not create the same connection and empathy between people as avatars with some personalised characteristics.

Giving voice to the unheard Virtual reality films can be very impactful tools of communication. They can work as a safer but more powerful way to create empathy and share stories of people otherwise not heard. For instance, as proposed in a workshop for this report, a film in which a LGBTI person tells their story while looking the viewer straight in the eyes could be a powerful tool to change mindsets and challenge prejudices in places where sharing such stories could be dangerous for the person in question.

Abuse is abuse in VR It is not currently possibly to exercise physical violence in VR. However, verbal, emotional and psychosocial

What do you think… • Do you think that the possibility to create more empathy between people when using virtual reality rather than other digital communication tools could have any consequences for your work? • Do you think interacting in a virtual space where every avatar looks and sounds the same could create a safe and inclusive space for discussion among diverse groups? What could this be used for?

1 Jessica Leigh Hester, CityLab 2016: What If Virtual Reality Can Make Us Better Citizens? https://www.citylab.com/life/2016/10/virtual-reality-empathy-natural- 76 world/502694/ Thoughts and ideas from workshops and interviews with DCA Active Citizenship

”Could we use virtual reality in roleplay situations? Putting people in the role of ”Creating content in VR someone else. The good thing with virtual could be a good way of reality is that no one else needs to see how demonstrating the impact you react to the situation. That might of our work to donors.” make it easier to convince some to participate”

”Actually, virtual reality for training purposes has not been so costly. However, we do not have the experience in using it yet”

”Changing social behaviour is difficult and virtual reality could potentially be a good tool in assisting with ”I guess we are struggling with ways to this.” have conversations, do training and workshops that address our values, beliefs, and behaviour. This challenges us in areas of remote implementation and simply because we work across so many different parts of the world. Perhaps virtual reality could help us with some of those challenges”

”We could use the fact that Virtual Reality experiences can create more empathy to fight discrimination.”

77 ”VR could be a useful tool for us as we try to bring about changes in social structures and norms.”

”Could we use VR to create an even more unified culture within the organisation? This could be done by making it possible to make visits, and that way understand the work in both country offices and headquarters.”

”Could we make VR content where marginalised groups tell their stories? For example, individuals from the LGBTI community could tell their stories without being put in danger.”

”Could VR be used for project design?”

”Could we use VR with duty bearers to make them empathise with right holders, and could this lead to reducing fraud and corruption? We could show the reality of what it means when authorities do not deliver a ”Could VR be used for training in service.” remote areas?”

78 Learning cases

Through the five learning cases, this section looks deeper into ways of integrating innovative technologies into the work of DCA, with the aim of inspiring and informing those working with Active Citizenship. The first learning case, Developing a mobile app on Risk Education, describes the process of integrating mobile technology into a DCA project on risk education in Syria, demonstrating one way such an initiative can be undertaken, and the key learnings from it. The second learning case, New tech for advocacy: Amnesty International’s 360 Syria, provides an overview of the key takeaways from Amnesty International’s use of 360 degrees video in human rights advocacy, from idea to implementation, and impact. The third learning case, It’s our forest too: Danmission’s mobile app for activists, presents the learnings from how to develop an app for data- gathering, while working with activists in the field. The fourth learning case, New partnerships for innovation: DCA in Myanmar, showcases the importance of new partnerships, and how to leverage collective skills with your partner. Lastly, the Digital Security of HRDs and CSOs case is a collection of insights and learnings on digital security accumulated by some DCA country offices and Amnesty International in their work with digital tools and projects.

79 80 Developing a mobile app on Risk Education

Starting in 2015, a mobile application called Risk Education was developed to help teachers in Syria to teach children, youth, and the wider community about the dangers of mines and unexploded ammunition. The app includes learning materials and a toolkit with activities and games for children. The initiative was a result of conversations between the DCA Mine Action, the Syria team located in Gaziantep, Turkey, and the Learning Lab, in order to create online distance-learning resources on dangerous materials in Syria. The initiative started with a trip in September 2015 by the Learning Lab to Gaziantep to understand the main needs and the digital infrastructure available in the target areas. They found out that it was important for the material to be available for download, so it could be used later, offline. In the months after the trip, the Learning Lab worked closely with the Syria team, creating a prototype for the app. It was created using DCA’s own learning material authoring tools, which could be packaged in the Moodle application. The Learning Lab tested the prototype on a second trip to Gaziantep by interviewing individuals and organisations in the refugee community. They discovered, among other things, that the app needed to be available in Arabic letters (rather than Latin) in the app store. They also learned that navigating around the app had to be made more intuitive to improve the user experience. An external service provider company in Denmark was hired to support the coding of a “learning material container” app to replace the Moodle app. The development of the app went smoothly. However, developing it is only the first step, as the target group in Syria needs to be made aware of its existence and start to make use of it. The initiative was funded as part of one project, and funding for the testing and second iteration came under another project under the Mine Action programme. However, the implementation phase did not include the Learning Lab and was complicated and slowed down by internal restructuring within DCA, and the relocation of the Syria office to Iraq. A similar app has been developed for DCA in Myanmar. The Learning Lab was part of this process in the preliminary stages, serving as advisors on project design and collaboration. The final app was developed in collaboration with the local app and video developer companies in Myanmar. For more information, contact Christoffer Bengt Meier, Technology Lead, DCA Learning Lab [email protected]

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Foto: DCA New tech for advocacy: Amnesty International’s 360 Syria

Since the beginning of the Syrian uprising in early 2011, Amnesty International has documented and campaigned against war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the conflict. In 2015 alone, barrel bombs killed more than 2000 men, women and children. At the same time, Amnesty International noticed that media attention and political engagement surrounding the situation in Syria was dropping. As a result, they made it their mission to find new and immersive ways to communicate the Syrian reality. Working closely with the Syrian media activist group Lamba Media Production, Amnesty International managed to smuggle in special “one-click” camera equipment into Syria. The equipment was then used by the Syrian activists to film 360-degree footage of the devastation caused by barrel bombings in Aleppo. Before recording the material, the activists were trained remotely through a secure video network, so that they could test and film the right images under secure conditions. The footage was used by Amnesty International UK to create an open virtual reality platform called “Fear of the Sky” (also known as 360 Syria) enabling viewers to get a virtual tour around the devastation of Aleppo only using a simple cardboard VR headset and a smartphone. The project was rolled out nationally in the United Kingdom to activists, street fundraisers, and at concerts, special events, as well as at the British Parliament. According to Krystian Benedict, the campaign manager of 360 Syria, the project brought much needed attention to the situation on the ground in Syria. It exceeded Amnesty’s expectations and objectives by being an effective tool for empowerment, advocacy and fundraising. It also raised public awareness and mobilised action to support Syrian activists on the ground. The project team was surprised by the amount of attention generated by the platform in various tech media, winning several awards, and even getting an invitation to an innovation seminar at NASA, even though the team thought of the project as being “quite low tech”. Benedict thinks that the reason behind the success of the 360 Syria project was that the 360- content and platform were created with relatively few resources, using inexpensive equipment. Also, the platform was easy to access and share. According to Benedict, using simpler technology was a good starting point for Amnesty International UK. They are now involved in various projects with more advanced technology, including satellites to track airborne attacks in Raqqa in Syria, and heatmapping technology to monitor the burning of villages in Myanmar. For more information, contact Krystian Benedict, Campaign Manager - Crisis and Tactical, Amnesty International UK [email protected].

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Foto: Christer Lænkholm It’s Our Forest Too: Danmission’s mobile app for activists

In 2014 the Danish faith-based NGO Danmission was awarded an innovation grant from the Danish Ministry of Foreign affairs, giving impetus to the successful innovation project called “It’s Our Forest Too”. The project and a mobile app under the same name were created to combat illegal deforestation in the Prey Lang forest in Cambodia. The project has since won several innovation prizes. “It’s Our Forest Too” was conducted in collaboration between activists from the Prey Lang Community Network, Community Peacebuilding Network, Peace Bridges Organisation, the University of Copenhagen, Danmission, and a Cambodian IT company. Together, the partners developed an app for smartphones to enable local patrols to geo-reference, document and upload information about forest resources, threatened biodiversity, illegal activities, and threats to environmental defenders. The data is then used to document the importance of the forest to local livelihoods, international biodiversity conservation, and to report any illegal activities to the authorities. Until recently, documenting illegal deforestation was difficult and expensive due to the vastness of the area and limited infrastructure. There was a need to go from hand-written notes to a digital monitoring and reporting system that could include scientific data validation, a systematic approach to data collection, and reduce the cost of collecting data. The app has made registering data in a systematic and intuitive way possible and resulted in scientifically validated monitoring reports. These reports have been instrumental in advocacy towards the Cambodian authorities and have already resulted in preservation of parts of the Prey Lang forest. Involving stakeholders and the end users of the app in the entire design process was essential for the project’s success. According to Christina Dahl Jensen, Senior Innovation Advisor for Danmission, the local activists did not have experience in using smartphones, making it important to create an app that was intuitive for them to use. The process was built around small design sprints involving all relevant actors. With these sprints, different parts of the app were developed and tested successively. This allowed for continuous adjustments to the design based on learnings from the stakeholders. Christina Dahl Jensen emphasized that that the creation of the application involved more iterations than first expected due to the large number of actors involved in the process, as well as differences between traditional NGO and innovation projects. According to Christina Dahl Jensen, trust and local ownership have been key factors in ensuring that the app is being used. For example, data security was made a key element very early on and it is built into the design. In this app, all data is owned by the activists and the activists are in control of the data that is shared. For more information about the project, contact Christina Dahl Jensen, Senior Innovation Advisor, Danmission: [email protected]

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Foto: Mike Kollöffel New partnerships for innovation: DCA in Myanmar

Partnerships with new actors are an important part of innovation and exploring the possibilities of new technologies. A good example of such an approach is an innovation pilot project that started in 2018 by the Myanmar Country Office, in partnership with a local organisation called Phandeeyar. Phandeeyarr (“creation place”) is an innovation lab based in Yangon that invests in local tech startups, trains entrepreneurs, helps actors like CSOs to use technology, and runs a co-working space. In recent years, connectivity has accelerated in Myanmar, and today, the country has a smartphone penetration rate of more than 80 percent. However, digital literacy and digital rights protection are almost non-existent. With the aim of trying out new approaches, especially to reach out to the youth in Myanmar, the Country Office turned towards Phandeeyar in early 2018 to see how the two organisations could work together. With the aim of combining the experiences and competencies of DCA-NCA and Phandeeyar, an idea was developed to organize an innovation bus to some of the urban/peri-urban areas DCA-NCA is working in. This was interesting for Phandeeyar, as its experience is mostly limited to Yangon, which already has a booming tech and innovation ecosystem. Supported by the DCA Innovation Fund, the project tests four approaches in order to identify the best models and use learnings for a scaled-up programme. These four elements include a regional startup challenge, hackathons, makerspace, and digital literacy workshops. The first innovation bus was organised in October 2018 in Taungoo with the four elements of the program. The participants were mainly from the local University of Computer Studies, but a few local CSOs joined the event, too. Some very innovative and context-specific ideas were developed in the workshops, and the digital security workshop turned out to be very effective. The team found out, however, that the content needs to be adapted to the level of tech knowledge of the participants, including more basic concepts. Also, the team has learned the importance of translating concepts like hackathon and startup into local languages, to be able to effectively communicate the ideas promoted. Another program will be organised in December with some changes based on the learnings. The team is exploring how to nurture the ideas coming out of the program by linking up with private businesses in the target areas. For more information, please contact Saw Eh Gler Htoo: [email protected], and Tess Thurøe: [email protected], and learn more about Phandeeyar at https://phandeeyar.org/

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Foto: Mikkel Østergaard Digital Security of HRDs and CSOs

As civil society activists and human rights defenders have adopted digital tools to support their work, government officials have sought control of the digital space. Digital tools are often described as a double-edged sword: On one hand, they provide invaluable tools for documenting human rights abuses; organising and coordinating among groups, organisations, and networks; and communicating and raising awareness, both domestically and internationally. At the same time, using digital tools makes civil society activists and HRDs vulnerable to breaches of their privacy, and allows for advanced surveillance, as well as attacks online, some of which might be conducted by anti-rights groups.1 Threats to HRDs include, among other things, malware and phishing attacks; compromising password security; physical and digital threats to information, including sensitive files on computers; information loss; privacy of digital communications; censorship and surveillance; as well as threats related to data on social platforms, and using mobile phones. DCA Country Offices working on Active Citizenship in sensitive environments have already adopted some tools and practices. For instance, the Cambodian CO has an in-house digital security expert. Different countries and regions have different digital security contexts, from government surveillance to internet landscape and infrastructure. For example, some secure video communication tools that work really well in Europe require a lot of bandwidth and could not be used in places with low connectivity and expensive data. Another example is the virtual private network (VPN), used, for instance, by the DCA Cambodia country office. VPN applications can strengthen the privacy and security of online connections and allow for some level of anonymity when the user connects to the internet through a proxy server. This might work well in Cambodia, but in Egypt, government authorities have broken down VPN systems and made encryption practices illegal. Moreover, in sub- Saharan Africa, mobile phones are the primary means of accessing the internet. Thus solutions are needed that work with limited bandwidth and data, and in environments with low connectivity. It is therefore important to know the particular context before developing and/or applying digital security tools. Digital security is not only about tools but also about practices2. Capacity and skills of the HRDs and CSOs are key in ensuring digital security. It rare that digital security advisers are able to give advice that would not expire rapidly. HRDs need to understand the political and technical landscape they operate in, as well as the processes, such as internet traffic, to make their own decisions about applying digital security tools. The capacities of HRDs to apply the knowledge depends in many cases on their digital literacy, educational background, language skills, and access to other resources. This applies to organisations as well. In an ideal world, each CSO would be able to conduct a proper security audit and develop and implement a digital security policy across the organisation, integrating IT systems and policies with an understanding of the political and security landscape. However, this is often not the case, especially as funding is becoming more and more challenging in this space. But some basic actions can be taken, such as ensuring that organisations have backups of their documents to mitigate damage cost by online attacks, and looking into the most common security pitfalls. There have been attempts to create universal guidelines to support civil society and HRDs in using digital tools securely. Currently, the Surveillance Self-Defense by the Electronic Frontier Foundation is the most comprehensive platform available and is regularly updated3. However, as noted by Ramy Raoof, Tactical Technologist at Amnesty International, these toolboxes should be considered more of a behavioural change reference rather than a technical reference, as security guidelines are based on specific versions of particular apps and services and expire quickly as new versions become available.

1 Security in-a-Box: https://securityinabox.org/en/ 2 See for instance the Digital Security in Human Rights project 2016: https://tacticaltech.org/projects/digital-security-in-human-rights-2014-2016/ 89 3 Electronic Frontier Foundation: Surveillance Self-Defense: https://ssd.eff.org/en 90

Foto: Kaspar Wenstrup List of actors in the field (This is a non-exhaustive list of actors that are active in the civil tech field and engaged in some interesting initiatives discussed in this report. The list could benefit from regular updates)

Amnesty International UK organisations and activists dedicated to strengthening citizen action and civil society Amnesty international UK has created the virtual throughout the world. reality platform 360 Syria as described in the report on page 83. https://www.civicus.org/ Contact: Krystian Benedict, Project manager – Crisis and Tactical Danmission [email protected] The Danish NGO Danmission has created the https://www.amnesty.org.uk application It’s Our Forest Too in Cambodia, as described in the learning case on page 85. The manager of this project, Christina Dahl Jensen, is the Senior Innovation Advisor for Danmission Benetech working with tech solutions and innovation that can Benetech is a non-profit that seeks to empower support sustainable change and peace. communities with software for social good. They Contact: serve as a bridge between the social sector and Silicon Valley to identify needs and software Christina Dahl Jensen, Senior Innovation Advisor solutions that can drive positive social change. [email protected]

https://benetech.org/ E-Estonia E-Estonia is one of the most advanced e-societies Business for Social Responsibility (BSR) in the world and was built by the government of Estonia to facilitate citizen interaction with the BSR™ is a global nonprofit organisation that works state through the use of electronic solutions. It has with its network of more than 250 member proven to be an efficient, secure and transparent companies and other partners to build a just and ecosystem. sustainable world. BSR™ develops sustainable business strategies and solutions through https://e-estonia.com/solutions/security-and-safety/ consulting, research, and cross-sector collaboration. Engine Room https://www.bsr.org/en/ The Engine Room is a scoping study on how human rights defenders are using technology tools Civic Hub to communicate, analyse and manage information, identify new incidents, and archive data. CivicHub is a civic tech organisation created to address different social needs, such as how the https://library.theengineroom.org/humanrights- same tools, techniques and technologies that have tech/ been used to build the most profitable products and services across the world can be used to build impactful social interventions. Frontline defenders http://civichub.com.ng/ Front Line Defenders was founded in Dublin in 2001 with the specific aim of protecting human rights defenders at risk for any or all of the rights Civicus enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. CIVICUS is a global alliance of civil society https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/

91 Good tech lab Good tech lab works with technology, Open Source Ecology entrepreneurship and finance to address world problems, such as climate change, creating better The mission of Open Source Ecology (OSE) is to cities, providing healthy food and clean water for create the open source economy, which all, and generally achieving the UN’s Sustainable efficiently increases innovation by open Development Goals by 2030. collaboration. Open Source Ecology also functions as a great overview of current open-source http://goodtechlab.io/ hardware projects. https://www.opensourceecology.org/ Hivos foundation

Hivos is a global NGO that seeks new and creative Security in a box solutions to persistent global problems. Hivos aims to offer a positive counterbalancing force against Security in a box is a digital security kit created by discrimination, inequality, abuse of power and the the Tactical Technology Collective and Front Line unsustainable use of our planet’s resources. Their Defenders. The toolbox is no longer updated, but main mission is to innovate for social change. can work as an interesting reference point for further research. https://hivos.org https://securityinabox.org/en/

Kanda Social tech trust Kanda is an interactive consulting agency with a mission to help people through technology. Their Social tech trust is an organisation with the aim of Initial focus has been on solving problems through transforming peoples lives with tech. Their main gamification and app development, but they have focus is to lead conversations about transformative recently also started working with virtual and tech, to enable socially motivated tech ventures to augmented reality grow, and directly investing in change. www.Kanda.dk https://socialtechtrust.org

Katapult Future Fest Surveillance Self-Defense Katapult Future Fest is a non-profit movement Surveillance Self-Defense is an expert guide to founded to drive positive societal change through protect activists and others from online spying. It technology and impact investing. was created by the Electronic Frontier Foundation, an independent non-profit, working to protect https://www.katapult.tech online privacy. https://ssd.eff.org/en Making All Voices Count Making All Voices Count is a programme designed Tactical tech to solve the grand challenge of creating more effective democratic governance and Tactical Tech is a Berlin-based non-profit accountability around the world. organisation working at the intersection of Http://makingallvoicescount.org technology, human rights and civil liberties. They provide training, conduct research and create cultural interventions that contribute to the wider socio-political debate around digital security, Nesta privacy and the ethics of data. Nesta is a global innovation foundation that backs https://tacticaltech.org/ new ideas to tackle the big challenges of our time, from the pressures of an ageing population to stretched public services and a fast changing job market. https://www.nesta.org.uk

92 Tech Change Tech Change provides online professional development in technology and social change. It connects implementers in public health, emergency response, and monitoring and evaluation staff, with relevant content, experts, and certification, via a facilitated learning platform. https://www.techchange.org/

Tech for good Tech For Good publishes the human side of technology for social change by telling the stories of how people are using technology to make their lives better, and sharing these stories as widely as possible. http://www.techforgood.global/

UNVR (UN Virtual Reality Series) The UN Virtual Reality Series shows the human story behind development challenges, allowing people with the power to make a difference, to have a deeper understanding of the everyday realities of those in danger of being left behind. http://unvr.sdgactioncampaign.org

Ushahidi Ushahidi is a non-profit technology company with a mission to help marginalised people raise their voice and those who serve them to listen and respond better. They have been instrumental in creating the Kenyan tech ecosystem and have, among other things, created a platform to map reports of violence in Kenya, described in the case on p47. https://www.ushahidi.com/uploads/case- studies/ImpactReport_2018.pdf

93 Contributors

This report was prepared by DareDisrupt. The for Social Responsibility authors are: Matthias Wevelsiep, Development Manager, Reeta Hafner, Project Manager, contact: Digital Transition, FinnChurchAid [email protected] Ramy Raoof, Tactical Technologist, Amnesty Tech Ida Krogh Sjöholm, Senior Innovation Adviser, contact: [email protected] Søren Stig, Chairman of the Nordic Impact Investing Network Mathias Busk, Research Assistant Märtha Rehnberg, Co-founder, DareDisrupt Thank you Anders Hvid, CEO and Co-founder, DareDisrupt We would like to thank DCA staff in the Active Hjalte Osborn Frandsen, Innovation and Strategy Citizenship programme who took the time to Consultant, DareDisrupt participate in the two interactive workshops organised in October 2018 and January 2019, as well as filling in the survey on the use of technologies within Active Citizenship. A special thank you for the ones who shared their knowledge in interviews, consultations and gave guidance and comments on the report. These include: Kristine Vadskær, Senior Programme Advisor, Fight Extreme Inequality and Partnerships, DCA Elsebeth Gravgaard, Senior Advisor, Active Citizenship and Gender Equality, DCA Morten Högnesen, Senior Advisor for Innovation, DCA Karin Wied Thomsen, Advisor, Value Chain and Inclusive Business, DCA Eva Cecilie Knudsen, Global Partnerships and Donor Relations Advisor, DCA Martin Meraner, Database and Applications Administrator, DCA Christoffer Bengt Meier, Technology Lead, Learning Lab Tess Turøe, DCA Myanmar Country Office Saw Eh Gler Htoo, DCA Myanmar Country Office Christina Dahl Jensen, Senior Advisor Innovation, Danmission Krystian Benedict, Campaign Manager - Crisis and Tactical, Amnesty International UK Michaela Lee, Manager, Human Rights, Business

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