‘Digital Security Tools and Tactics for Environmental Rights Defenders in Sub-Saharan Africa’ is the new guide released by Tactical Technology Collective, a Berlin-based info-activism organisation.
Journalists everywhere face attacks on their digital data. The problems caused by hacking, phishing and cyber attacks on digital data has caused many journalists to face heavy consequences, making a strong case for the advancement of better digital security tools and skills. The same, too, is true for activists and environmental rights defenders (ERDs)
With a rising increase in natural resources discovery in sub-Saharan regions, people in these areas have become susceptible to attacks from multinational corporates and land mafia, who are exploiting these areas and disregarding the local communities for whom these regions constitute a source of resources and livelihood. ERDs who have been working day and night to bring justice to atrocities and exploitations done to ecosystems and are working to further defend these areas by maintaining a balance face fierce backlash from corrupt government officials and corporate employees and there have even been instances where such attacks result in the killing of ERDs.
The digital guide compiled by Tactical Technology is the result of working with ERDs in Africa and Kenyan environmental communications and digital security consultants. The guide can be used to analyse the vulnerabilities, counter digital threats and helps ERDs through easy-to-use tools and knowledge that teaches them how to secure their emails, sharing platforms and information exchange systems and reduce/eradicate cyber-attacks.
You can download the PDF guide at this link and do also pass on the guide to environmental right defenders that you might be aware of.