RightsCon Toronto 2018

Digital rights advocacy is more challenging in some countries than others: authorities may not abide by established human rights principles, and developing economies may lack resources to ensure the implementation of good human rights respecting policies. The Ranking Digital Rights project examines privacy and freedom of expression rights from the perspective of corporate transparency and accountability, generating data and analysis about the policies of private companies. In these contexts, the private sector—especially multinational companies—can sometimes be more responsive to stakeholder engagement and public pressure than governments.

This session will bring together panelists who are working to adapt the RDR methodology to local contexts. Their works cover countries including China, Russia, and regions of Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East.

In this session, researchers and advocates will discuss how RDR’s methodology can be used within the framework of digital rights movements in developing economies and challenging political environments. We seek to highlight core takeaways from RDR for, and connections with, the broader field of transparency and accountability.