.

Safety and Social Networks in the Middle East

Not to beat a dead horse, but I came across a few tidbits last night that I found fascinating. While these pertain specifically to Facebook, in this case, I actually don’t meant to suggest that Facebook itself is the problem, rather, the larger point is whether activists are moving away from social networking tools because [...]

24.05.2011

No Comments

On the Deletion of Marcelo Vieira’s Facebook Page

Marcelo Vieira is a Brazilian footballer who, according to various reports (including this one from YNet, in Hebrew), posted support for Palestinians on the anniversary of the Nakba. According to multiple reports, the page on which Vieira made the statement was taken down shortly after. Now, there are plenty of conspiracies circulating as to why, [...]

23.05.2011

1 Comment

The e-G8: Promises and Problems

The G8, as I’m sure my readers know, is a forum for the governments of eight of the world’s wealthiest economies. While topics on the G8′s agenda are often globally relevant (energy policy, the environment), the G8 has, over the years, been the target of protests and criticism from a variety of parties, including labor [...]

22.05.2011

1 Comment

A few talks from April

So, as you may well know by now that I’ve recently started a new job as Director for International Freedom of Expression at the Electronic Frontier Foundation in San Francisco (whew, that’s a mouthful!). I certainly will be blogging, but as I’m still settling in, and only recently got the Internet set up in my [...]

18.05.2011

1 Comment

What Syria’s Unblocking of Facebook Was Really About

Back in February, I wrote that the Syrian government’s decision to free up access to Facebook and other sites was a risky move, potentially designed to entrap Syrians. In the nearly three months since, it seems like I was right: First came the reports of activists and non-activists being detained, their Facebook and other passwords [...]

06.05.2011

7 Comments