Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA)

OSISA funded Creative Commons Southern Africa in 2004 and 2005. In 2004 it also funded the Secure Online Communications workshop at Highway Africa; and in 2003 supported the Africa ICT Policy Monitor Project. In 2002, in addition to funding the Africa ICT Policy Monitor project, OSISA also supported the “Civil Society and ICT Policy in Africa” workshop; Africa ICT Policy Monitor project; and the African participation at the World Summit on the Information Society’s PrepCom I.

Link: http://www.osisa.org/ 

Zimbabwe’s digital leap falls short in bridging access to justice gaps
Zimbabwe’s digital leap falls short in bridging access to justice gaps 15 April 2024 Nompilo Simanje

The digitisation of Zimbabwe’s judiciary marks a significant stride forward in the nation’s digital transformation. However, there’s an immediate need for cross-sector collaboration to ensure that this advancement doesn’t restrict access to justice.

Unregulated CCTV in Zambia sparks data privacy concerns
Unregulated CCTV in Zambia sparks data privacy concerns 31 March 2024 Mwazi Sakala and Maureen Mulenga

The use of CCTV for face recognition or tracking of motor vehicles based on their number plate registration has raised the important question about a person’s right to privacy and as such a suitable legislation is required to ensure Zambia falls within the universally accepted parameters.

Southern Africa Digital Rights Issue Number 3: SADC's Rocky Path - The challenges of biometric and digital identity systems
Southern Africa Digital Rights Issue Number 3: SADC's Rocky Path - The challenges of biometric and digital identity systems 26 March 2024 Various

This issue of Digital Rights Southern Africa makes clear that there is no or slow commensurate roll-out of measures to ensure that biometric data collection and processing systems are secure and to the actual benefit of the societies in which they are being implemented.

Rights watered down in draft privacy and data protection bill in Namibia
Rights watered down in draft privacy and data protection bill in Namibia 25 March 2024 Frederico Links

Some of the areas of specific human rights concern raised about the 2022 draft were underdeveloped consent provisions, the almost complete absence of protections for data subjects, and the absence of carve-outs for journalistic, artistic and academic data collection and processing.

Unveiling the landscape: Malawi’s data protection journey and the evolving digital rights terrain
Unveiling the landscape: Malawi’s data protection journey and the evolving digital rights terrain 21 March 2024 Moses Kaufa

In Malawi, authorities are increasingly demanding that citizens surrender personal information for routine activities, ranging from using a mobile phone to participating in elections, and the absence of a robust, currently enacted data protection law jeopardises citizens’ right to privacy.

Eswatini strives for digital sovereignty amid technological advancements
Eswatini strives for digital sovereignty amid technological advancements 11 March 2024 Ndimphiwe Shabangu

In Eswatini, two key legislative measures impact internet governance: the Computer Crime and Cyber Crime Act of 2022 and the Data Protection Act of 2022. Concerns loom over potential implications of these statutes, particularly in terms of press freedom and freedom of expression on social media.

Botswana showcases e-government's privacy pitfalls
Botswana showcases e-government's privacy pitfalls 28 February 2024 Thapelo Ndlovu

This article explores whether e-government in Botswana ensures privacy and protects personal data. E-government collects personal information, which if mishandled, might pose a threat to democracy.

A region grappling with digital rights deficits
A region grappling with digital rights deficits 16 February 2024 Federico Links

The second issue of the online digest Southern Africa Digital Rights serves to spotlight that privacy and data protections remain and will continue to remain areas that civil society in the region must continue to monitor and address. 

Southern Africa Digital Rights Issue Number 2: Privacy at risk – challenges to data and online security
Southern Africa Digital Rights Issue Number 2: Privacy at risk – challenges to data and online security 16 February 2024 Various

What this edition of Southern Africa Digital Rights serves to spotlight is that privacy and data protections remain and will continue to remain areas that civil society in the region must continue to monitor and address.

The African Declaration on Internet Rights and Freedoms: Fostering a human rights-centred approach to privacy, data protection and access to the internet in Southern Africa
The African Declaration on Internet Rights and Freedoms: Fostering a human rights-centred approach to privacy, data protection and access to the internet in Southern Africa 26 January 2024

The initiative has the overall purpose of increasing advocacy for an open and democratic digital environment in Southern Africa that promotes and protects access to the internet and privacy rights online.

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