In our special coverage of the 2023 Oslo Freedom Forum Manal and I got to meet some truly inspirational African delegates who are shaping the way technology serves human rights on the African continent.

From the emerging power house that is Machankura we sat down with Noelyne Sumba and Kgothatso Ngako – both brilliant innovators doing some powerlifting with bitcoin to serve the human rights of their fellow citizens and African neighbors. They translate bitcoin learning materials into native African languages, and found a way to own and store bitcoin, even if you don’t have an internet connection, or a smartphone, or even a crypto account – talk about innovation!!!! These young tech-guns are leading the way….

And, you would be hard pressed to find a more dedicated warrior in the fight for human rights than Meron Estefanos. Meron’s nickname is “The Huntress of Human Traffickers”, she brought fifteen human traffickers to justice, helped to save thousands of Eritreans from drowning in the Mediterranean and helped negotiate the release of hostages who were kidnapped and held at ransom. Forget Arnie and Stallone… Meron is the ULTIMATE badass. Manal sat down to speak with Meron about AI, human trafficking and so much more.

Tune in for this absolutely unmissable episode from Season 3 of Tech4Evil.

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In a world where technology is synonymous with convenience, accessibility, and connectivity, it’s easy to take our digital liberties for granted. However, for those trapped in closed societies like North Korea, access to information is a rare and precious commodity. In this episode of ‘Tech for Evil,’ we delve into the intersection of technology and human rights, shedding light on the remarkable initiative known as ‘Flash Drives for Freedom‘ and its mission to empower North Korean citizens with information and foster dissent in North Korea.

“Flash Drives for Freedom” is a beacon of hope in this information-starved landscape. The program collects donated USB drives and SD cards, filling them with valuable information like Korean Wikipedia, documentaries, and real-world knowledge. These small devices are then smuggled into North Korea, giving North Koreans a glimpse of the truth beyond their borders.

Join us as we delve into the importance of this initiative and the transformative power of information. Discover how these efforts are gradually opening windows to the outside world for North Koreans and challenging the regime’s control. Learn how you can support “Flash Drives for Freedom” by Human Rights Foundation and be part of a movement that believes in the potential of information to inspire change and promote freedom.

Don’t miss this eye-opening episode, where we uncover the profound impact of technology used for a noble cause—to unlock minds and empower those living in one of the world’s most closed societies.

#EthiTech #HumanRights #Digital Rights #Surveillance #Democracy #Freedom #Dictators #DigitalActivism #DigitalTyranny #TyrannyofTech #NorthKorea #FlashDrivesForFreedom #HRF #HumanRightsFoundation

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Digital Battlegrounds: Bytes, Bravery, and the Pursuit of Freedom

The digital era – a double-edged sword, wielded by both heroes and tyrants. Welcome to an electrifying season, where the stakes are high, and the warriors are relentless.

“Dictatorship in the Digital Space” is an unsettling reality. As dictators exploit cutting-edge tech to muzzle dissent, monitor every move, and craft illusions of popularity, a valiant counterforce rises.

Join Manal and Reinhardt from the Tech4Evil podcast on season 3 titled “Don’t Click Here”. We dive into the riveting stories of intrepid activists, journalists, and freedom fighters from around the globe. Witness how, with wit and grit, they evade censorship, debunk disinformation, and guard civil liberties.

From ingenious tactics that keep communication lines open during internet blackouts, to subverting digital surveillance with counter-tech, this episode illuminates the indomitable human spirit.

But it’s more than stories; it’s an awakening. Through insights into the global struggle between liberty and oppression, democracy and dictatorship, you’ll grasp the vital role technology plays in shaping our shared future.

The digital reckoning is upon us. Will you join the ranks of the guardians of freedom? Empower yourself and your community by learning how to be a force for good in the digital age.

#HumanRights #Digital Rights #Surveillance #Democracy #Freedom #Dictators #DigitalActivism #DigitalTyranny #TyrannyofTech.

Have you ever found yourself wondering “…what if I just delete my Facebook account…?”

Believe us, you’re not the only one to have pondered this question jokingly or even seriously in the last few years, and with good reason. Some part of you likely came to this realisation, intuitively, that feeling insecure and sad and lonely after several hours of doom scrolling and checking all your social media accounts was not quite the experience you were promised from these Social Media Apps.

In this Episode of Tech4Evil Manal and Reinhardt take a close look at Jaron Lanier’s book Ten Arguments for Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now. For those of you who have seen the Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma, Jaron Lanier and his book are already permeating your consciousness.

The ideas put forward in the book are likely starting to tickle that part of your brain entertaining the notion that purging your toxic, pervasive and attention-stealing social media accounts could mean getting your life back. In other words, if you delete your Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter accounts you might be able to have better mental and emotional health, be a better person and enjoy a more authentic human connection with your family and friends and loved ones. yes, you might get back to the life you had before all the notifications, posts, likes, comments and reshares started to chime and vibrate and ding their way into your daily consciousness through the smartphone you keep within reach 24 hours daily.

If you’re looking to follow that intuitive part of your brain down the rabbit hole and say “goodbye” to all this digital detritus from your life then this is the episode for you.

According to Jaron Lanier, when you delete your social media accounts you will join the resistance against the main insanity of our times, be less of an asshole, support the discovery of truth, be more empathetic and restore your economic dignity… Wow! What do you have to lose?

Join Manal and Reinhardt and explore some of the best reasons to get rid of all your toxic social media accounts. We will explain how Big Tech is doing its best to take up all our attention, all our emotional bandwidth and all our digital capital as netizens. Tune in to our Crash Course in Digital Self-Defense and spread the word about reclaiming our autonomy and digital agency. Don’t miss this important episode and don’t succumb to the hypnosis that Big Tech wants to permeate. We are taking back our digital agency and fighting to keep tech good! For young and old and for our collective future.

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