online safety in africa: locating the end user's perspective · online safety in africa:...

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Chenai Chair20 SEPTEMBER 2017

FACEBOOK & CJCP SAFETY OPEN HOUSE: CAPE TOWN

Online Safety in Africa: locating the end user's perspective

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Research ICT AfricaMission: influence ICT policy development in Africa from an evidence based perspective

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Research ICT Africa Beyond Access Household , Individual and business surveys

• Nationally representative data

• In Rwanda, South Africa, Mozambique, Kenya, Nigeria, and Ghana

• Collects ICT access and use Indicators

• Data published under creative commons- accessible to all

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Are we preaching online safety issues to the converted?

Building up the evidence on digitalrights

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• Supply and demand side data to build up the evidence on the issue of safety

• Surveys designed to capture perspective on digital rights

• Thematic area cybersecurity and rights online awareness - trust, freedom of expression, privacy, surveillance

• Analysis- intersectional approach looking at age, sex, demographics and location

“ It is our contention that debates on digital rightsshould tackle cyber policy and regulation also fromthe perspective of the vulnerable in society as thesepeople not only are currently excluded from anydebate on digital rights, but also because theymight be unaware on how – or not have theresources – to defend themselves from digital rightsviolation.”Alison Gillwald, Research ICT Africa. ‘From digital divide todigital inequality-shifting the ICT4D discourse’ #ACIST2017

‣ Focus on the vulnerable in society‣ Assessment of level and type of access to the

internet ‣ How active are they in shaping their digital future:

- Are they aware of their digital rights?- If so, how do they enforce their rights (or defend

themselves) from threats on digital rights violation?

- Do different stakeholders engage with them and how?

Do we have a digital rights divide?

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Qualitative study findings of trust, safety and security

“Sometimes even when you want, you just cannot cope with the “bad” informationand pictures found there. People open Facebook then they close because of suchinformation …This makes women to just opt out even when they want”-Rural female respondent, South Africa.

“The information going to the Internet should be controlled. The youth should be well informed…If this inappropriate content can be removed…”- Rural respondent, Kenya

“We just know that there is Facebook, and we are aware to say there are hackers, but how do I protect whatever that I post on Facebook?” (Female Rural Respondent)

What is the level of trust, safety and security perceived by African internet users?

What is the level of trust, safety and security perceived by African internet users?

Resources:‣ RIA ICT access and use survey: http://researchictafrica.net/2017/08/04/beyond-

access-surveys-questionnaires-methodology-and-timeframe/

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Thank youContact cchair@researchictafrica.netT: @cchair @RIAnetworkSign up for our mailing list here for updates on the status of surveys.

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