Efforts to combat the use of surveillance for suppressing digital rights in Africa gained momentum during a recent gathering in Port Louis, Mauritius, where key stakeholders convened over the last two days.
Organized by Paradigm Initiative (PIN) in collaboration with the Open Society Foundation (OSF) and Unwanted Witness, the meeting focused on Countering Surveillance and Digital Repression in Africa. Held on November 5th and 6th, 2023, in Mauritius, the consultative meeting aimed to involve activists, academics, tech companies, civil society, regional human rights mechanisms, and political actors across the continent.
During the event, Mr. ‘Gbenga Sesan, PIN’s Executive Director, called on stakeholders to commit to implementing the findings of the convening. Allan Sempala Kigozi from Unwanted Witness echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the gathering provided an opportunity to influence policy and shape gatekeepers who would ensure that state surveillance does not violate human rights.
The gathering also sought to develop strategies to counter fundamental human rights violations resulting from widespread surveillance and digital repression in Africa.
Participants engaged in insightful discussions with industry leaders and experts, networked with like-minded professionals and potential collaborators, gained valuable knowledge and insights on deploying surveillance, protecting citizens’ privacy in Africa, and contributed to shaping the digital future of the continent.
The convening preceded the Privacy Symposium Africa 2023, scheduled from November 7th to 9th in Port Louis, Mauritius, under the theme “Navigating Privacy in the Age of Digital Transformation.”
The symposium will bring together academics, researchers, policymakers, and industry practitioners to discuss the latest trends and challenges related to data privacy and data protection, with a focus on key areas such as healthcare, finance, education, and media.
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