Moderated by @seeri.bsky.social, Research and Grants Lead at DRF, this session spotlit case studies from Digitally Right (Bangladesh), Hashtag Generation (Sri Lanka), and the Digital Rights Foundation (Pakistan), focusing on the unprecedented levels of hate speech in the region.
Another day another lockdown. Either it's a climate catastrophe, a health emergency or political instability. Pakistan just doesn't seem to get a break at this point.
Now we're seeing containers being placed in cities which is further causing confusion and panic. When will all this end? I can't even plan a week ahead right now because of this much uncertainty and somehow we're expected to keep on living this reality.
The anxiety of living in this country is so real because there's no certainty about anything here. Since Saturday we've been witnessing disruptions of the internet with speed throttling and limited social media platforms.
collecting first-person accounts of the lockdown/siege in #pakistan and #islamabad for a campaign. stories will be shared anonymously. please reach out if you would like to share your experience.
Is Instagram and WhatsApp working for people in Pakistan?
Instagram and X are inaccessible right now and no VPNs are working in Pakistan. This blanket ban and censorship is extremely alarming right now particularly when the law and order situation in the country is very volatile.
not just whatsapp (media): my instagram is also down.
bsky.app/profile/netb...
pakistani government to its awaam: haan bhai tommy marr jao.
Table from NetBlocks showing online platform feature restrictions by ISPs in Pakistan for multiple WhatsApp backend servers as of evening November 23, 2024. The listed ISPs include PTCL with Nayatel, Wateen and KK Networks also impacted. The failure rate is listed for all entries, correlating with user reports of issues sharing media on WhatsApp. The incident aligns with tightened security measures ahead of Sunday's planned protests by opposition party PTI demanding the release of founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
⚠️ Confirmed: Live metrics show WhatsApp backends have been restricted in #Pakistan corroborating reports of media sharing issues; the measure comes as authorities tighten security ahead of protests planned by opposition party PTI calling for the release of former PM Imran Khan
We're experiencing the most unprecedented internet shutdowns & disruptions in Pakistan particularly with no VPNs working, Instagram not working, Whatsapp media not downloading and the internet being extremely slow. Rumors of an internet shutdown tomorrow in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Islamabad.
The digital authoritarianism we're seeing right now is very real with new restrictions and news around disruptions of the internet and platforms being shared every day. Very scary times to live in.
Lahore's AQI today at 9:00 am
Lahore, Pakistan, has hit record smog levels in recent weeks, reaching a reading of 1,100 on the Air Quality Index on Thursday.
Any level above 150 is classified as “unhealthy,” and anything over 300 is deemed “hazardous.”
Pakistan's internet freedom ranking has been 'Not Free' for the past 14 years now in the Freedom on the Net report and with growing regulations and blanket bans on social media platforms it seems that not only will our ranking suffer but also our rights as users in the country.
As people from across the world join Blue Sky, Pakistan has now decided to restrict the platform in the country with an ongoing restriction on X too.
Users in Pakistan is Blue Sky working for you without a VPN?
DON’T STOP TALKING ABOUT PALESTINE 🇵🇸
Smog levels today in Lahore, Pakistan. The AQI readings for the past couple of weeks have been hazardous for us with a constant smell of smoke in the air leading to respiratory problems in the country. It's never gotten as bad as this and there are people who still deny climate change.
Seeing old Twitter friends join Bluesky
It's time to leave X and move towards blue sky 🖼️
