IGF 2021 WS #155
Advocating against COVID-19 Surveillance : Lessons From Stra

Organizer 1: Apurva Singh, Software Freedom Law Centre, India
Organizer 2: Radhika Jhalani, Software Freedom Law Center, India (SFLC.in)

Speaker 1: Mishi Choudhary, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 2: Prasanth Sugathan, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 3: Anivar A Aravind, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group

Moderator

Apurva Singh, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group

Online Moderator

Radhika Jhalani, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group

Rapporteur

Apurva Singh, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group

Format

Birds of a Feather - Classroom - 90 Min

Policy Question(s)

Assessing Internet governance approaches and mechanisms and fostering inclusiveness: What are the main strengths and weaknesses of existing Internet governance approaches and mechanisms? What can be done, and by whom, to foster more inclusive Internet governance at the national, regional and international levels?
Governance and cooperation for an evolving Internet: How does Internet governance need to change in order to meet the changing nature and role of the Internet? What tools, mechanisms, and capacity building instruments are needed for stakeholders to effectively cooperate, and engage in Internet governance?

Through this panel discussion, SFLC.in intends to share its experience of litigating against Aarogya Setu, and bring other organizations or activists across the globe who have successfully advocated or litigated against COVID-19 surveillance technology. We intend this panel discussion to be a learning experience for our audience as to how to advocate and fight surveillance technology.
The session shall also emphasize on how strategic litigation by civil society organizations or activists can successfully fight against exclusionary regulations, de-facto imposition of COVID-19 surveillance technologies, and privacy and surveillance concerns. This panel discussion would be especially beneficial for activists and civil society organizations and activists, particularly in South Asia region in strategising against surveillance technologies launched by their respective governments.

SDGs

9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
9.5
9.a


Targets: SDG Target 9 is directly linked with innovation and use of technology for Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in developing countries.

Description:

The central point of this panel discussion is not to merely discuss the grave violation of right to privacy of people worldwide but also how it ends up affecting millions of people economically and socially by restricting their access to various governmental and non-governmental services or benefits.
The panel discussion shall entail stories of exclusion, the journey of litigating against such surveillance technologies, and how to successfully create a push against these technologies. The speakers shall provide an overview of the surveillance technologies rolled out during the COVID-19 pandemic, the stories of exclusion, the technological concerns, and the experience of litigating against them.
This is particularly useful at the time as under the garb of pandemic, we are seeing unlawful data sharing from such surveillance technologies with law enforcement agencies.

Expected Outcomes

Through this panel discussion, SFLC.in intends to share its experience of litigating against Aarogya Setu, and bring other organizations or activists across the globe who have successfully advocated or litigated against COVID-19 surveillance technology. We intend this panel discussion to be a learning experience for our audience as to how to advocate and fight surveillance technology.
The session shall also emphasize on how strategic litigation by civil society organizations or activists can successfully fight against exclusionary regulations, de-facto imposition of COVID-19 surveillance technologies, and privacy and surveillance concerns. This panel discussion would be especially beneficial for activists and civil society organizations and activists, particularly in South Asia region in strategising against surveillance technologies launched by their respective governments.

1. Discussion on advocacy and litigation against Covid-19 surveillance technology with participants including their experiences.
- By spending time on discussing strategic litigation strategies and how advocacy helps.
2. By knowing the audience in online discussions and engaging with them regarding their experiences and allowing them to speak when required.

Online Participation



Usage of IGF Official Tool.