RightsCon Taipei: A Call for Collective Action in a Shrinking Civic Space

A Global Gathering for Digital Rights

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) joined the global digital rights community in Taipei for RightsCon 2024, a vital forum for discussing critical human rights issues in the digital age. From seasoned attendees to RightsCon newcomers, the EFF team found a shared sense of urgency: the need for collective action against rising authoritarianism and Big Tech's role in enabling rights abuses.

Funding Cuts Threaten the Future of Digital Rights

A shadow loomed large over the conference: drastic funding cuts to civil society organizations, particularly those working on digital rights. The impact of these cuts, estimated to shrink the global digital rights community by 30%, was a major concern. Coupled with the threat of retaliatory tariffs against tech regulation, this created a chilling effect and highlighted the vulnerability of organizations working to hold powerful actors accountable.

The EFF urges governments, philanthropic organizations, and individuals to step up and fill the funding gap, ensuring the essential work of defending human rights online can continue.

#FreeAlaa: A Rallying Cry for a Jailed Activist

The plight of Alaa Abd El-Fattah, imprisoned in Egypt, resonated throughout RightsCon. From the opening ceremony featuring a video message from his mother, Laila Soueif, to the closing keynote by Sara Alsherif of Open Rights Group, the call to #FreeAlaa served as a stark reminder of the risks faced by those who fight for digital freedom.

Alsherif emphasized Alaa's understanding of digital rights as core to the struggle for human rights and democracy, urging attendees to stand in solidarity.

Platform Accountability in Crisis

The increasing power of online platforms and their role in political manipulation and censorship dominated many discussions. With shifting policies and increasing geopolitical tensions, the crisis of platform accountability was a central theme. The EU's Digital Services Act (DSA) offered a potential path forward, but its global implications and enforcement remained key concerns.

Discussions explored the potential of decentralized services as user-empowered alternatives to centralized platform dominance.

Defending the Open Internet: Fighting Shutdowns and Censorship

The vital importance of strong encryption and anti-censorship tools was underscored in sessions addressing internet shutdowns. It was stressed that widespread use of these tools, not just by those in oppressed regimes, is crucial for their effectiveness and to counter the narrative that "only criminals use encryption".

#ReconnectGaza: Restoring Connectivity, Upholding Rights

The #ReconnectGaza campaign, launched at RightsCon, highlighted the devastating impact of internet blackouts and infrastructure destruction in Gaza. The campaign calls for rebuilding the telecommunications network and safeguarding the fundamental right to communication.

The EFF also challenged Microsoft on its provision of services to the Israeli Defense Forces, raising concerns about the company's commitment to human rights in light of reports of technology being used in the repression of Palestinians.

"Today, the world's eyes are on Gaza...where the internet and technology are being used and abused at the cost of human lives," Alejandro Mayoral, Access Now's Executive Director, stated in the opening ceremony.

Confronting Cross-Border Surveillance and Transnational Repression

The misuse of legal instruments to expand transnational repression and the potential dangers of the UN Cybercrime Convention were key concerns. The need for robust international human rights safeguards to protect marginalized groups was emphasized.

Protecting Young People Online: Age-Gating and Human Rights

A roundtable discussion, co-hosted by EFF, focused on the human rights implications of government mandates to restrict young people's access to online services. Participants from around the world worked on a statement addressing these crucial issues.

Hard Conversations and Crucial Collaborations

The EFF engaged in difficult conversations, including raising concerns with the UK government regarding their stance on encryption. The ongoing discussion around equity and inclusion in platform policies and content moderation underscored the importance of global perspectives and collaboration.

Reflections and the Path Forward

RightsCon 2024 served as a powerful reminder of the strength and scope of the digital rights movement. The challenges are immense, but the collective spirit of collaboration and resistance provides hope. In the face of shrinking civic space and increasing pressure from governments and corporations, the need for collective action is more critical than ever.