Facebook Pulls “Third Palestinian Intifada Page”: Violent Incitement Overrules Free Speech
The first Palestinian Intifada (meaning “Uprising” in Arabic: الانتفاضة) began in 1987 and the second in 2000. With the recent flock of revolution in the Middle East, a third was called for – via social media – to take shape in 2011. The Facebook Page “Third Palestinian Intifada,” which drew in more than 340,000 members [...]
Election Aftermath and Demands for Democracy in Belarus
While the world’s eyes are on Egypt, it is imperative not to forget the struggle in Belarus, which has entered a new phase following the December 2010 election. The aftermath of the recent elections in Belarus sent shockwaves around Europe; it also provides a crucial test for the Obama Administration’s attitudes towards human rights. In [...]
Jumo: Day 1. Our First Impressions of the Social Network for Social Causes
Yesterday, Jumo released its beta platform to the world, but the launch was far from seamless. Founded by Facebook Co-founder Chris Hughes, Jumo bills itself as a “social network for the social sector.” At TechChange, we spent a few hours on the new site and here are some of our first impressions.
Online Press Freedom in Jordan: New 2010 Cyber Crime Law
In a country where the Queen has her own YouTube Channel, you would think Internet is a free and open space for all, but not exactly. Because Jordanian authorities believe that “browsing the Internet is a waste of work time and a huge drain on public money,” 48 local news websites were recently blocked in [...]
A Picture Says A Thousand Words: Facebook Case of Eden Abergil
Look familiar? Another Abu Ghraib photo frenzy? Needless to say, not the first of its kind. Photos taken by former IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) soldier Eden Abergil of her 2008 Gaza Strip experiences — paraded in her Facebook photo display titled “The Army.. the most beautiful time of my life :)” — has caused online [...]
Fasten Your Seatbelts: Facebook is Following You in India
In a city “famous for its snarled traffic and infamous for its unruly drivers,” Facebook is aiding the authorities in New Delhi—”5,000 traffic officers in this city of 12 million people”—in keeping a digital eye on reckless road users. Citizen monitoring and the new Facebook page Delhi Traffic Police is holding drivers and cyclists accountable [...]
Online Location: From Facebook’s ‘Places’ to Pakistan’s Floods
Before getting too carried away with Facbeook’s Places app, look into how smartphones are locating and coordinate relief efforts in Pakistan’s natural disaster, via crowdsourcing. On August 18th 2010, Facebook enabled the Places app, introducing a 3D human element to the traditional status update, allowing you to “immediately tell people about that favorite spot.” Places [...]
Welcome to TechChange
It’s clear that technology is beginning to play a key role in social change. Look at the role crisis mapping software has played in coordinating earthquake response in Haiti, or the effect that social media such as Twitter have had on demanding government accountability in Iran. These examples and many more leave no doubt about [...]
