The journalism work featured in this section was funded by Luminate between 2018-2023. The work was produced from eight countries of Southern Africa. It includes hard news stories and in-depth investigative stories amongst others.
Namibia
Erasing the rights of data subjects (25 August 2023).
https://www.namibian.com.na/erasing-the-rights-of-data-subjects/
A longer version was published on the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) website:
https://ippr.org.na/blog/data-protection-in-the-age-of-surveillance-part-ii/
The article was also published on the ACTION Coalition website:
https://action-namibia.org/erasing-the-rights-of-data-subjects/
Gaslighting on data protection in the age of mass surveillance
https://www.namibian.com.na/gaslighting-on-data-protection-in-the-age-of-mass-surveillance/
A longer version was published on the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) website:
https://ippr.org.na/blog/data-protection-in-the-age-of-mass-surveillance-part-1/
The article was also published on the ACTION Coalition website:
https://action-namibia.org/gaslighting-on-data-protection-in-the-age-of-mass-surveillance/
‘Quality of Namibian democracy’ threatened.
https://namibian.com.na/quality-of-namibian-democracy-threatened/
A longer version was published on the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) website:
https://ippr.org.na/blog/quality-of-democracy-under-threat/
Legally Dodgy Harvesting of Biometric Data
https://namibian.com.na/legally-dodgy-harvesting-of-biometric-data/
A longer version was published on the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) website:
https://ippr.org.na/blog/questionable-harvesting-of-biometric-data/
Sabotage Aimed at Disruption
https://namibian.com.na/sabotage-aimed-at-disruption/
Greatly Undermining Privacy Rights
https://namibian.com.na/greatly-undermining-privacy-rights/#:~:text=Namibians'%20fears%20are%20well,ability%20of%20citizens%20to%20communicate
Greatly Undermining Privacy Rights – Part 2
https://namibian.com.na/greatly-undermining-privacy-rights-part-2/
Data retention regulations eradicate anonymity
https://namibian.com.na/data-retention-regulations-eradicate-anonymity/
A longer version was published on the ACTION Coalition website:
https://action-namibia.org/data-retention-regulations-eradicate-anonymity/
State surveillance abuse looms large
https://namibian.com.na/state-surveillance-abuse-looms-large/
A longer version was published on the ACTION Coalition website:
https://action-namibia.org/state-surveillance-abuse-threat-looms-large/
Social Media Surveillance and the Overreaction to Youth Activism
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MfXgmooHL9uY2OyKyOMWJ4HeMvKuO_mn/view?usp=sharing
AI, Biometrics and no protection from abuse
https://action-namibia.org/ai-biometrics-and-no-protection-from-abuse/#:~:text=The%20absence%20of%20comprehensive%20data,both%20state%20and%20private%20actors.
Ripe for surveillance abuse – Unpacking Namibia’s SIM card registration limbo
https://www.observer24.com.na/ripe-for-surveillance-abuse-unpacking-namibias-sim-card-registration-limbo/
A longer version was published on the ACTION Coalition website:
https://action-namibia.org/ripe-for-surveillance-abuse-unpacking-namibias-sim-card-registration-limbo/
Malawi
State surveillance against cybersecurity needs
https://www.investigativeplatform-mw.org/2023/07/state-surveillance-against-cybersecurity-needs/
Malawi’s data protection law still in limbo
https://www.investigativeplatform-mw.org/2023/06/malawis-data-protection-law-still-in-limbo/
Malawi’s survival linked to a central biometric registry
https://www.investigativeplatform-mw.org/2022/09/malawis-survival-linked-to-a-central-biometric-registry/
Malawi’s data centre could mine and export personal data
https://www.investigativeplatform-mw.org/2022/09/malawis-data-centre-could-mine-and-export-personal-data/
Hiding behind laws to accomplish digital surveillance;
https://www.investigativeplatform-mw.org/2020/07/hiding-behind-laws-to-accomplish-digital-surveillance/
Malawi government spy machine: nine years on.
https://www.investigativeplatform-mw.org/2020/05/malawi-government-spy-machine-still-white-elephant-nine-years-on/
DRC
RDC : L’article 360 du code numérique risque de restreindre la liberté d’expression sur les réseaux sociaux
RDC : L’article 360 du code numérique risque de restreindre la liberté d’expression sur les réseaux sociaux - (jambordc.info)
RDC : La protection des données numériques à caractère personnel pose problème
RDC : La protection des données numériques à caractère personnel pose problème - (jambordc.info)
RDC : De plus en plus des autorités durcissent la surveillance des réseaux sociaux
RDC : De plus en plus des autorités durcissent la surveillance des réseaux sociaux - (jambordc.info)
RDC : Le gouvernement traque désormais la publication des documents officiels sur les réseaux sociaux
RDC : Le gouvernement traque désormais la publication des documents officiels sur les réseaux sociaux - (jambordc.info)
RDC : Quand des services de sécurité traquent des images « compromettantes » anti-régime dans des téléphones portables
RDC : Quand des services de sécurité traquent des images « compromettantes » anti-régime dans des téléphones portables - (jambordc.info)
RDC : L’atteinte à la liberté d’expression sur les réseaux sociaux entame la démocratie
RDC : L’atteinte à la liberté d’expression sur les réseaux sociaux entame la démocratie - (jambordc.info)
South Africa
State is putting us at peril, say activists
https://mg.co.za/thoughtleader/opinion/2022-06-19-state-is-putting-us-at-peril-say-activists/
Remote working may increase digital surveillance practices of employers, curtail privacy rights for employees
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-10-18-remote-working-may-increase-digital-surveillance-practices-of-employers-curtail-privacy-rights-for-employees/
Streets with no names, houses with no numbers – just another hazard for those on the fringes
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-10-18-remote-working-may-increase-digital-surveillance-practices-of-employers-curtail-privacy-rights-for-employees/
Drone surveillance soars in security sector and police service, but privacy rules yet to catch up
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-07-31-drone-surveillance-soars-but-privacy-rules-yet-to-catch-up/
Joburg hostels and townships coming under surveillance by facial recognition cameras and drones
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-08-13-joburg-hostels-and-townships-coming-under-surveillance-by-facial-recognition-cameras-and-drones/
Zimbabwe
‘We are under constant drone watch’
https://www.theindependent.co.zw/local-news/article/200017292/we-are-under-constant-drone-watch
Privacy violations fears grow as govt sets surveillance cameras in cities
https://www.thestandard.co.zw/2020/06/21/privacy-violations-fears-grow-govt-sets-surveillance-cameras-cities/
Shutting down the citizens: Forget your privacy you are under surveillance
https://www.newsday.co.zw/thestandard/2020/01/26/shutting-citizens-forget-privacy-surveillance.
Military surveillance could endanger democracy
https://www.newsday.co.zw/2020/03/military-surveillance-could-endanger-democracy/
Creating a surveillance state: ED govt zooms in for critics with Chinese help
https://www.thestandard.co.zw/2020/03/01/creating-surveillance-state-ed-govt-zooms-critics-chinese-help/
Zimbabwe’s new cyber law to target online government and military critics
https://www.thestandard.co.zw/2020/07/12/zimbabwes-new-cyber-law-to-target-online-government-and-military-critics/
Zim’s era of the state’ could herald increased repression.
https://www.thestandard.co.zw/2020/09/06/zims-era-of-the-state-could-herald-increased-repression/
Contentious data law susceptible to abuse by govt for surveillance
https://thenewshawks.com/contentious-data-law-susceptible-to-abuse-by-govt-for-surveillance/
Zim in danger of sleepwalking into a surveillance state
https://www.newsday.co.zw/theindependent/tennis/article/15765/zim-in-danger-of-sleepwalking-into-a-surveillance-state
Botswana
Botswana uses Israeli inspired digital surveillance on journalists?
Botswana uses Israeli inspired digital surveillance on journalists? | Sunday Standard
DIS denies unlawful surveillance and interception of communications
DIS denies unlawful surveillance and interception of communications | Sunday Standard
You can run but you can’t hide
https://www.sundaystandard.info/you-can-run-but-you-cant-hide/?amp&shem=iosie
Is the ruling party using State real to spy on political opponents?
Is the ruling party using State resources to spy on political opponents? https://www.sundaystandard.info/is-the-ruling-party-using-state-resources-to-spy-on-political-opponents/?amp&shem=iosie
Police to introduce drone surveillance
Police to introduce drone surveillance | Sunday Standard
Lesotho
Lesotho’s cyber law not well thought-out, potentially violates human rights: Analysts
https://lestimes.com/lesothos-cyber-law-not-well-thought-out-potentially-violates-human-rights-analysts/
Govt seeks to nullify controversial M500 million GVG tender
https://lestimes.com/govt-seeks-to-nullify-controversial-m500-million-gvg-tender/
State-sponsored phone tapping, hacking claims rock Lesotho
https://zimmorningpost.com/state-sponsored-phone-tapping-hacking-claims-rock-lesotho/
Bin Huawei surveillance deal, Lesotho govt told
https://zimmorningpost.com/bin-huawei-surveillance-deal-lesotho-govt-told/
AU sucked into fight over Lesotho’s proposed ‘draconian’ cyber law
https://zimmorningpost.com/au-sucked-into-fight-over-lesothos-proposed-draconian-cyber-law/
Lesotho PM, spy boss under fire for illegal surveillance
https://zimmorningpost.com/lesotho-pm-spy-boss-under-fire-for-illegal-surveillance/.
Illegal state surveillance underscores need to expedite Lesotho’s security sector reforms
https://zimmorningpost.com/illegal-state-surveillance-underscores-need-to-expedite-lesothos-security-sector-reforms/
Lesotho whistleblowers switch to encrypted messaging Apps amid fears of state surveillance of SIM card-based networks
https://zimmorningpost.com/lesotho-whistleblowers-switch-to-encrypted-messaging-apps-amid-fears-of-state-surveillance-of-sim-card-based-networks/
Eswatini
Understanding the digital spyware used to monitor activists in Eswatini.
https://swazibridge.com/article/index.php?iywtrre=fVeo.
Life of being constantly surveilled in eSwatini.
https://www.swazilandnews.co.za/fundza.php?nguyiphi=4168.
Eswatini intelligence cluster lacks moral compass for accountability
https://www.swazilandnews.co.za/fundza.php?nguyiphi=4612.