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Content Type: Video
LinksLearn more about Repro uncensoredRepro Uncensored incident report formAdriana Smith's caseMore about Adriana's casePrivacy International's Menstruation apps researchResearch on Bing's Typo-searchingMSI on the Global impact of Roe V. Wade being overturnedReport by Fòs Feminista on the Global Impact of the Dobbs DecisionMeta getting rid of factchecking functionAmazon USA report called Obstacles to Autonomy, which includes info on advertising account restrictionsAn report by the Independent…
Content Type: Opportunities
Background
Privacy International (PI) has recently launched a new project challenging the militarisation of tech. Governments and companies around the world are fighting to establish their dominance - plunging us into a ‘tech race’ that is redefining the battlefield and blurring the line between civilian and military infrastructures.
In blurring the lines between military and civilian, there is a serious risk that tech developed in one context will be transferred to the other without due…
Content Type: News & Analysis
It feels like WhatsApp is everywhere. Who isn’t familiar with the gentle ding as a message arrives - the relentless group chats, or the customer service bots? According to recent statistics, the service is used regularly by nearly 3 billion people around the world. Its core service - end-to-end encrypted messaging - is essential in today’s society.But private messaging services like WhatsApp are costly to run, and not something people are accustomed to paying for. Securing an income stream for…
Content Type: Guide step
Whatsapp (owned by META) is one of the most popular end-to-end encrypted messaging service. If you use it on your day-to-day it's worth reviewing some of your current settings and how you are making use of the platform.
This guide includes:
Chat backup settings
Visibility settings
App permissions
Managing desktop sessions
App security and two-factor authentication
Good Practices
Chat backup settings
This is one of most important settings to consider in WhatsApp. Because WhatsApp is end to end…
Content Type: Guide step
If you use Viber on your day-to-day it's worth reviewing some of your current settings and how you are making use of the platform.
This guide includes:
Chat backup settings
Visibility settings
App permissions
Managing sessions
Good Practices
Deactivating your account
Chat backup settings
This is a key setting to look into. Viber states that is is end to end encrypted, which means that messages are only accessible by both the sender and the receiver, not being stored anywhere along the way.…
Content Type: Guide step
Threads (part of Meta) can be an important tool for individuals to spread messages and ideas around the globe. For these reasons, it’s not possible for some people to simply stop using Facebook. However, we continue to be very concerned about the company’s conduct.
This guide includes:
Two-factor authentication
Making account private
Blocking user
Minimising targeted ads on Threads
Good Practices
Two-factor authentication
Two-Factor authentication provides an extra security step in order to…
Content Type: Guide step
Instagram (part of Meta) can be an important tool for individuals to spread messages and ideas around the globe. For these reasons, it’s not possible for some people to simply stop using Facebook. However, we continue to be very concerned about the company’s conduct.
This guide includes:
Two-factor authentication
Making your account private
Block user
Reviewing third party apps with access to your data
Minimising targeted ads on Instagram
Good practices
Two-factor authentication
Two-Factor…
Content Type: Guide step
Facebook (part of Meta) can be an important tool for individuals to spread messages and ideas around the globe. For these reasons, it’s not possible for some people to simply stop using Facebook. However, we continue to be very concerned about the company’s conduct.
This guide includes:
Profile settings
Post settings
Reviewing third party apps with access to your data
Minimising targeted ads on Facebook
Good practices
Profile Settings
In this section we take a look at profile settings, namely…
Content Type: Examples
US National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency awards $24 million for AI-enabled monitoring technologies
BlackSky Technology Inc. has secured a $24 million, four-year delivery order from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) as part of the Luno A Facility Operational Monitoring (FOMO) programme. BlackSky will use its AI-powered monitoring system to track changes in activity at global military and economic sites, including ports, airfields, railways, and military bases. The system integrates real-time satellite imagery with AI to deliver rapid intelligence. The company already monitors…
Content Type: Examples
Sierra Space has been contracted by the U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command to design next-gen “Resilient GPS” (R‑GPS) satellites. These are smaller, cost‑effective satellites intended to bolster the existing GPS constellation and protect them against jamming and spoofing by adversaries. The R-GPS program gained pace as per the new “Quick Start” authority established under Section 229 of the National Defense Authorization Act. This provision empowers the U.S. Space Force to rapidly launch…
Content Type: Examples
The contract to be delivered by Thales Northern Ireland has been granted by the Ministry of Defense on behalf of the Ukrainian Government. According to the deal, Thales will produce more than 5,000 lightweight-multirole missiles to be used by Ukraine. A Ukrainian manifacturing partner will produce launchers and necessary equipment for the deployment of the missiles. The initial worth of the contract is £1.16 billion and it can potentially rise £500 million more.https://www.gov.uk/government/…
Content Type: Examples
The European Commission and the European Investment Fund announced its investment of €40 million in Keen Venture Partners in an effort to support defence-tech innovation in Europe. The investment is made under the Defence Equity Facility of the EU, a €175 million initiative to boost the private investment field for defence in the EU. Keen Venture is a company that invests in emerging startups at the forefront of defense and security, with a particular interest in cutting-edge technologies like…
Content Type: Examples
Draganfly Inc. has secured a contract with the Cochise County Sheriff’s Department to deploy drones for enhanced surveillance and rapid-response missions along the southern U.S. border. According to the company, the initiative “positions Cochise County as a national model for technology-enabled border enforcement”.https://uk.investing.com/news/company-news/draganfly-drones-to-boost-cochise-county-border-surveillance-93CH-4126537Publication: investing.com
Content Type: Examples
Planet Labs PBC, a leading provider of satellite imagery and geospatial solutions, has been awarded a substantial seven-figure contract by NATO to deliver a platform solution to support continuous space-based surveillance, delivery of early warning signals and strenghtening of Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA). The platform solution is expected to incorporate Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning analytics.https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250612808959/en/NATO-Selects-Planet-for-…
Content Type: Examples
Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) with Nammo AS to provide ammunition production and delivery for the Nordic countries. The first partnership agenda is on the production of artillery and small arms calibres worth $155 million. Beyond this, the partnership will also focus on research and development for defence and joint ammunition use among these countries.https://defence-industry.eu/nordic-countries-sign-strategic-ammunition-partnership-…
Content Type: Examples
Sweden has signed a contract with MBDA, a European missile manufacturer, to acquire a fifth-generation anti-tank guided missile system. While the exact quantity and delivery timeline remain undisclosed, the deal includes missiles, launchers, support equipment, and services. The acquisition is part of a broader Sweden–France defense cooperation launched in 2023. According to the Swedish Defense Material Administration, the transaction will support the development of advanced weapon systems for…
Content Type: Examples
Leading AI company OpenAI is to provide generative AI capabilities in addressing security challenges in both frontline warfighting efforts and office business functions for the US Department of Defense. The project is estimated to run until July 2026. It marks the first collaboration for OpenAI under their initiative to incorporate AI for governments.https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/jun/17/openai-military-contract-warfightingPublication: The Guardian (Via Agence France-Presse)
Content Type: Examples
MBDA’s start-up NEODE Systems has secured its first major contract from France’s defense procurement agency (Direction Générale de l’Armement) to enhance the Akeron MP missile system with AI-driven capabilities. The project will test a decision-support tool designed to boost surveillance, targeting, identification and engagement performance for beyond-line-of-sight missions.https://www.army-technology.com/news/neode-akeron-mp-contract/Publication: Army Technology
Content Type: Examples
The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) has ordered Carl-Gustaf M4 weapon systems and munitions from Swedish defense firm Saab on behalf of the Netherlands and France to support ground combat modernization. The contract includes advanced ammunition types and will begin delivery in 2025. This order builds on a €176 million framework agreement since 2022 and highlights ongoing collaboration between Saab, NSPA, and NATO member states.https://defence-industry.eu/nspa-orders-carl-gustaf-m4-…
Content Type: Examples
NATO Allied Command Operations (ACO) has contracted ICEYE within the frame of the Alliance Persistent Surveillance from Space. The initiative is coordinated by NATO and is intended to improve the space-based sharing of intelligence across NATO member states. ICEYE’s SAR satellites, capable of high-resolution imaging in all weather and lighting conditions, will support faster decision-making in political and military fields. This builds on ICEYE’s earlier agreement in March 2025 to supply data…
Content Type: Video
Links:Read more from Defend Digital MePI's work on Securitising Education25 Years old - The Database State report5 safes principlesUK Government's publication on Genomics in EducationTips and Tricks for submitting a Data Subject Access RequestRequest your information from the Department for Education
Content Type: Long Read
We continue producing real change by challenging governments and corporations that use data and technology to exploit us.Since the beginning of the year, we’ve achieved some wins and would like to share them with you.Creating change is hard, and takes time. We have to uncover problems, draw attention to them, and pressure for change. In the first quarter of the year, we’ve been able to challenge secret surveillance powers, research the data practices of the menstruation apps, contribute to…
Content Type: Advocacy
The meeting brought together representatives from UN bodies, civil society, academia, and election oversight institutions. Participants agreed that while digital technologies can improve electoral access and administration, they also pose serious threats to human rights, including privacy, freedom of expression, participation in public affairs, and equality, as well as democratic accountability if left unregulated. Discussions focused on three core areas: the role of national authorities, the…
Content Type: Advocacy
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) is developing standards for decent work in the platform economy. Gig workers are exposed to a range of harms because of the precarious nature of their work and the use of opaque algorithms to manage them.Privacy International has come together with Human Rights Watch, TEDIC, IT for Change, Derechos Digitales and more than 30 other organisations to demand that this new ILO standard puts a stop to harmful practice, protects and promotes workers' rights…
Content Type: Long Read
Period tracking apps and the rollback of reproductive rightsThe aftermath of the overturning of Roe v. Wade in the United States (US) sparked widespread debate and concern that data from period tracking apps could be use to criminalise those seeking abortion care.While the surveillance and criminalisation of reproductive choices are neither new nor unique to the US, the scale and intensity of today’s crisis continue to grow. To put it into perspective, 22 million women and girls of reproductive…
Content Type: News & Analysis
Layla looks at her calendar on her phone. She’s in charge of planning her book club’s monthly meeting. After thinking for a second, she summons her AI assistant: “Hey Assistant, can you book me a table at that tapas restaurant I read about last week, and invite everyone from the book club? The restaurant should be in my browsing history. Let me know if the journey is more than 1-hour for anyone”. As the assistant compiles a response, she wonders if anyone else will hear this.Technology has made…
Content Type: Explainer
The Free to Protest Guide (Türkiye) has been created by adapting Privacy International's (PI) Free to Protest Guide UK according to the laws and policies of Türkiye, in collaboration with PI and local activists in Türkiye.The Guide has been published in English and Türkçe.DISCLAIMER: This guide forms part of PI's global work to highlight the range of surveillance tools that law enforcement can use in the protest context, and how data protection laws can help guarantee individuals' data privacy…
Content Type: Advocacy
The Open informal consultations on lethal autonomous weapons systems, held in accordance with General Assembly resolution 79/62 at the UN in New York on 12-13 May 2025, examined various legal, humanitarian, security, technological, and ethical aspects of these weapons. These consultations aimed to broaden the scope of AWS discussions beyond those held by the Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) at the UN in Geneva. Find out more about what happened during the discussions at Researching Critical…