Trolls and Women from Margins

By Hengam Riba

The outputs mentioned in this blog post are part of the Without Fear fellowship program 2022 – 2023. The Bachchao Project started this fellowship program to bring together a cohort of talented individuals with experience and interest in the gender and development space, who could bring fresh perspectives and potential solutions to threats faced by structurally silenced women and gender minorities in the country. This cohort could learn from itself and others, and look at innovative tech based interventions and ideas. The fellows were based around three central verticals; the social and development space, tech, and art. 

In today’s digital age, social media platforms have become powerful tools for communication and expression. However, they have also given rise to online hate and trolling, particularly targeting marginalized communities. As a 2023 Without Fear fellow with  The Bachchao Project, I had the privilege of being part of a transformative multimedia project that aimed to document and raise awareness about the experiences of women facing online trolling. Through various media such as articles, interviews, photo essays, and a podcast, my project sought to amplify the voices of those who have long been silenced.

 

“Navigating Online Hate: Voices from the Margins and Periphery”

In this thought-provoking article, I shed light on the pressing issue of online hate and its strong correlation with the objectification of women’s bodies. Drawing from studies and investigations, I explore how women, especially those advocating for gender and sexuality issues, are disproportionately targeted. I also highlight the specific experiences of Dalit and tribal women, who face triple layers of oppression due to caste, gender, and class. The article underscores the need for awareness, stronger regulations against cybercrimes, and the creation of safer online spaces for all.

Navigating Online Hate Voices from the margins and Periphery

Challenging Patriarchy: A Conversation with @WitchesofArunachal

A Podcast Interview

As part of a multimedia project, I had the opportunity to conduct a podcast interview with WitchesofArunachal. WitchesofArunachal is a feminist page run by an indigenous tribal woman from Arunachal Pradesh. Through her platform, she fearlessly questions and comments on issues faced by women in the region, particularly the patriarchal norms that hinder policy formations and deny women their fundamental rights to land and property. In our conversation, we explored her experiences of facing online trolls and her response to the challenges of the online space.

 

A Self-Reflective Journey

Photo Essay

In this captivating photo essay, I share my own personal experiences as a tribal woman facing online trolls. Through a series of powerful images, I respond to the trolls that have tried to censor my thoughts and expression. I explore themes such as merit and reservation, the perception of tribal communities, and the constant need to prove my nationality as a woman from the periphery. Drawing strength from my ancestors’ struggles against colonialism and oppression, I use this platform to challenge the trolls and assert my identity.

PhotoEssay

My multimedia project as part of the Without Fear 2023 cohort at The Bachchao Project has been an incredible journey of documenting, raising awareness, and empowering marginalized voices. Through articles, interviews, photo essays, and a podcast, I have sought to shed light on the experiences of women facing online trolling. I have highlighted the specific challenges faced by Dalit and tribal women, emphasized the need for safer online environments, and celebrated the resilience and activism of individuals like Shalin Maria Lawrence. By continuing to engage with these narratives and supporting those who face online hate, we can work towards a more inclusive and equitable digital world for all.

Safe Sister Fellow Reflection 2023 : Shruthi D

The number of internet users from Village to global is increasing every year. Similar to the violations of Human Rights in the real world, there are more violations of Human Rights, their privacy, safety, security and data protection in the growing virtual world. Online harassment, threats, cyber bullying, stalking and other online misconduct cases are rising day to day in the digital world. To address these issues and to protect human rights and their right to digital safety, privacy and security and to mitigate the online risks and threats The Bachchao Project and Safe Sisters team has created this inclusive fellowship opportunity globally.
I feel proud of getting this fellowship opportunity and to gain knowledge on Digital Hygiene, safety, security and methods to mitigate online harassment. The methods used for TOT training sessions were impact, in a shorter time covered more information and however as a fellow it’s our responsibility to work further, plan region wise, use the alternative and suitable words while sharing and spreading this important piece of knowledge for the community in rural setup.
This training has been more useful in the tech era as the challenges and issues in the virtual world keep popping up every day, as a fellow we also need to be updated as on date to mitigate the digital safety and security issues and contribute for the protection of Human Rights and safety in the virtual world too. The training helped as a first aid kit to keep safety awareness while using various applications and online sites. While performing training to rural human rights activist who have experienced online cheating , online scams asking for their personal details from unknown calls, miss use of mobile Sim cards and bank accounts links to different numbers money being accessed by other people . Unknown people asking for KYC updation for bank accounts etc., 10 participants had  30 to 56 applications being installed in their phones which they don’t use on regular basis, as part of digital hygiene the apps that aren’t used are been uninstalled by themselves, the device name, Bluetooth name are been changed and participants were encouraged not access or to use  Wifi coonections in Public places, Hotels, Cafes etc.,  Safe use of online sites and discussed the reporting steps in social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, participants installed two factor authentication app to protect their gmail and other accounts. Growing online harassment, stalking, threats, gender based violence were discussed and risk mitigation steps to identify and address the online harassment were discussed with the team to protect the physical and mental safety of an individual.
Team actively engaged in the process of  learning and implementation of  digital safety and  security ,as they been connected by discussing and asking doubts when they come across or face digital challenges.

Safe Sister Fellow Reflection 2023 : Punita Maheshwari

Empowering Digital Safety in Journalism: A Journey of Learning and taking the learnings forward

The field of journalism has seen dramatic shifts in recent years, with the digital landscape becoming an integral part of the profession. However, with this shift comes the pressing need for digital safety and security. As a journalist with experience in gender-integrated forums, I recognized the importance of creating safer digital environments for women and gender minorities in journalism. This journey led me to host a digital safety workshop as part of the Safe Sisters Fellowship program, and the experience was both enlightening and fulfilling.

Before embarking on this journey, I wanted the content to be directly relevant to digital safety for journalists, considering the needs and challenges they face daily. Interactive sessions and hands-on activities were crucial in my mind, as they make learning about digital safety practical and engaging. Creating a safe and inclusive environment was paramount, where participants could freely discuss their concerns and experiences without judgment. Additionally, I hoped the workshop would offer networking opportunities, enabling participants to connect with peers and mentors in the journalism community.

The training sessions exceeded my expectations in several ways. We covered a wide range of topics, including digital safety risks, practical skills for online protection, and recognising digital threats via phising. The training provided a comprehensive understanding of digital security, both for journalists and safeguarding their sources.

Among the topics covered during the training, two stood out as particularly valuable: password managers and phishing. Password managers are essential tools for keeping online accounts secure, and understanding how they work is crucial. Similarly, the session on phishing shed light on the importance of recognizing fraudulent attempts to steal sensitive information. These skills are not only useful for journalists but for anyone navigating the digital realm.

The success of the workshop was largely due to effective planning and execution, along with clear communication of expectations. One suggestion for future sessions is to increase visibility through social media and other channels to reach a wider audience.

It enhanced my knowledge and skills as a journalist. I learned the art of facilitating workshops, enabling me to host a platform for others to share and learn. Lastly, I extended this training to a network that holds personal and professional significance to me. Overall, it was a fulfilling journey that encompassed both personal and professional growth.

In today’s digital age, digital safety is a crucial aspect of journalism. The workshop reinforced the idea that when we create safe spaces for dialogue and knowledge sharing, we empower ourselves and our communities to navigate the digital landscape with confidence. It’s not just about learning but also about fulfilling a mission to make digital spaces safer for all.

As journalists, we have a responsibility not only to report the news but also to ensure our own safety and that of our peers. My experience in hosting a digital safety workshop has been a significant step in this direction, and I encourage everyone in the field to explore similar opportunities for growth, learning, and empowerment.

The Safe Sisters Fellowship program provided an invaluable platform for this journey. It allowed me to engage with like-minded individuals, share knowledge, and contribute to a safer digital world for journalists. While the program was highly rewarding, increasing visibility for fellows could be a future enhancement.

In conclusion, the journey of learning and fulfillment continues, and I plan to provide long-term support to participants and the community by maintaining open email threads and connecting them with relevant initiatives like The Bachchao Project. Together, we can build a safer and more secure digital world for all journalists and content creators.

Safe Sister Fellow Reflection 2023 : Kumam Davidson Singh

The Safe Sisters Fellowship training was initially met with apprehension, as it appeared to be a complex endeavour in the realm of digital security mechanisms and tools. However, as the training progressed, it became more tailored to the participants’ needs, even covering fundamental tools.

From the outset of the fellowship, discussions about the Safe Sisters Fellowship were initiated within the group, allowing them to become familiar with the program. When the training planning phase commenced following the Needs Assessment, the participants were well-prepared. It’s worth noting that each participant had slightly different interests and expectations, but their awareness of the planning process helped them prepare effectively for the training.

The participants in this fellowship belong to a team at Metei Society, an organization in Manipur led by women, queer, and trans individuals, with a focus on gender and sexual minorities. The success of the training became evident through the enthusiasm displayed by the participants and their expressed interest in future sessions.

One remarkable aspect of this success story is that the participants had limited access to high-end, fully functional devices. Instead, they owned modestly priced, old, and used phones. Despite this limitation, their commitment to learning and building their digital skills was unwavering.

What stands out the most in this entire experience is the participants’ proactive request for further training sessions to enhance their technical and digital skills. This eagerness to learn demonstrates their dedication to improving their work skills and the impact they can make through Metei Society. For this, full day workshops which delve deeper into each topic addressed and trained by experts are ideally required in an environment of inclusive and affirmative workshop space and facilitation.

The customized nature of the training played a significant role in its success. By tailoring the content to meet the specific needs and interests of the participants, the training became more engaging and relevant. This approach also ensured that participants could immediately apply what they learned to their work at Metei Society.

Furthermore, the collaborative nature of the training planning, where the group was involved from the beginning, fostered a sense of ownership and commitment among the participants. They were not passive recipients of training; they were active contributors to the process.

The fact that this success story originates from a women, queer, and trans-led organization is significant. It highlights the importance of inclusive and diverse participation in digital capacity-

building initiatives. It demonstrates that regardless of background or access to resources, individuals are eager to acquire the skills necessary to navigate the digital landscape safely and effectively.

The enthusiasm displayed by the participants serves as a testament to the impact of the Safe Sisters Fellowship. It not only empowered them with digital skills but also ignited a desire for continuous learning and growth. This success story serves as a model for how such initiatives can have a lasting impact on individuals and organizations striving for positive change in their communities.

In conclusion, the successful Safe Sisters Fellowship training exemplifies the transformative power of customized, collaborative, and inclusive digital capacity-building programs. It underscores the resilience and determination of individuals, even in the face of limited resources, to acquire the skills needed to advance their mission and create a positive impact in their community. This success story is a beacon of inspiration for future initiatives aiming to empower marginalized and underrepresented groups in the digital age.

Safe Sisters Fellowship Program – India, 2023

The Bachchao Project conducted the second edition of the Safe Sisters training of trainers (TOT) India program between April and November 2023. This year, five individuals from across India were trained on how to understand and respond to the digital security challenges they face in their work and daily life. All the participants were women, or queer, and had significant work experience across their communities.

An open call for applications was sent out over our website and social media accounts.This focused within underrepresented communities, and ten individuals were shortlisted for a virtual interview. From this group, five individuals were shortlisted for the final program. Owing to technical network complications, one participant had to delay joining the cohort, while another one had to step down and were replaced by an earlier interviewed applicant. The remaining three participants were trained together, with a second set of sessions held later. All participants went through the same training sessions, and had the same objectives.

The intention of the training program was to equip trainers with digital security skills and knowledge that they can pass on to their communities, creating a self sustaining cycle. It focused on skill building and not just tool usage. This ensures that even when trainers are in different situations, they are able to adapt what they’ve learnt to the current environment. It blended theory and hands on experience, helping trainers carry out their first independent training. The program also focused on a culture of continuous learning, and building community. Owing to network issues, the cohort had to be split into two. This contributed to fewer group activities, unfortunately.

There was an initial training period where the fellows got familiarised with the topics and exercises. After this, we conducted additional trainings for fellows who wanted more information on certain topics. The fellows were encouraged to set up their trainings while keeping the fellowship trainers in the loop. We held follow up calls for all the fellows and discussed their plans for the communities they work with, and assisted them in the setting up of workshops, if they required help. All of the fellows successfully carried out needs assessments for their target groups, and were able to carry out trainings where required. The fellows did one training each, either offline or online, for the program. A total of 73 individuals were trained by the fellows. Fellows also submitted reports upon completion of their trainings.

Sonali:

“The training session revealed that the majority of transgender individuals lack awareness of digital security measures, making them more vulnerable to online threats […] The Safe Sisters Fellowship program is excellent, providing valuable training and raising awareness about digital security. The facilitation and support provided were commendable.”

Bisma:

“As I embarked on the path of the Safe Sisters Fellowship 2023, little did I know that it would be a transformative journey, reshaping my perspective on online security and empowerment. The program’s commitment to equipping marginalized individuals with the tools to navigate the virtual world securely and confidently has left an indelible mark on my understanding of digital well-being.”

Kumam:

“[…] the successful Safe Sisters Fellowship training exemplifies the transformative power of customized, collaborative, and inclusive digital capacity-building programs. It underscores the resilience and determination of individuals, even in the face of limited resources, to acquire the skills needed to advance their mission and create a positive impact in their community. This success story is a beacon of inspiration for future initiatives aiming to empower marginalized and underrepresented groups in the digital age.

Punita:

“The field of journalism has seen dramatic shifts in recent years, with the digital landscape becoming an integral part of the profession. However, with this shift comes the pressing need for digital safety and security. As a journalist with experience in gender-integrated forums, I recognized the importance of creating safer digital environments for women and gender minorities in journalism. This journey led me to host a digital safety workshop as part of the Safe Sisters Fellowship program, and the experience was both enlightening and fulfilling”.

Shruthi:

“I feel proud of getting this fellowship opportunity and to gain knowledge on Digital Hygiene, safety, security and methods to mitigate online harassment. The methods used for TOT training sessions were impact [sic], in a shorter time covered more information and however as a fellow it’s our responsibility to work further, plan region wise, use the alternative and suitable words while sharing and spreading this important piece of knowledge for the community in rural setup”

Building Safer Communities: Small Needs Assessment for LGBTQIA+ communities in India

India, with its diverse culture and rich heritage, is home to a vibrant LGBTQIA+ population. Through our experience in conducting trainings and research, The Bachchao Project realised that there was a lack of resources around digital security specific to this community in India. In an effort to gain insights into the needs and concerns of LGBTQIA+ individuals in India, and to gather information for further research, The Bachchao Project conducted a small-scale needs assessment study in 2022.
Methodology:
We contacted fifteen individuals from the queer and LGBTQIA+ community, who were frequent users of the internet and often social media. They either lived in urban areas, or in close proximity to urban areas. Final interviews were held with 10 participants, between January 2022 and March 2022.
The interviews were held over secure online channels, and prioritized the security of all participants (both in procedure and tool usage). For the final report, personas were created based on individual conversations. All identifiying information has been removed from these, and they were fictionalised in parts to ensure anonymity. The illustrations attached to the personas have also been randomized. All names in this project are fictionalised.
Key Findings and recommendations:
1. Need for community
A need that was echoed throughout the interviews undertaken was that of social understanding and community. Many participants spoke about how they first found gender and sexuality communities online, through forums and social media. This space can be very affirming and validating (especially for members who cannot be out to their immediate physical friends and family). However, sharing personal and private information freely online can have unintended consequences, even more so for children and teenagers.

Recommendation: Creating a toolkit for LGBTQIA+ and queer minors on how to interact safely with other members of the community.
This will include sections on how and when to post photos, what information is safe to share, and stories from other members of the
community on how they interacted online when younger.
2. Politicisation of the personal identity
LGBTQIA+ persons may find their personal identities becoming the subject of political debate even without actively participating in political discussion. This includes art and content about exploring one’s own gender and sexuality as well.

During interviews, we discovered that while only some participants were actively creating and posting content on social media, all were concerned about political scrutiny, and the subsequent potential consequences. This fear of surveillance resulted in a chilling effect on their online speech. Those who made content wanted information on how to continue doing so anonymously, others wanted to be able to respond to political actors online without facing targeted harassment for the same.
Recommendation: Organising a roundtable discussion about strategies to make and post content online in India. This could either be a single event, or a set of smaller events focusing on specific demographics of LGBTQIA+ and queer creators (example: female journalists, trans* activists)

A more comprehensive report on the study can be freely accessed hereBuilding Safer Communities

All text and images are available under the Creative Commons Attribution – NonCommercial -NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-SA-NC-ND 4.0) license unless stated otherwise.Here is the complete report for download.

TOMORROW, IT WILL BE US: Facing and Challenging Digital Hate Speech Against Muslim Women in India

By Afrah Asif

The outputs mentioned in this blog post are part of the Without Fear fellowship program 2022 – 2023. The Bachchao Project started this fellowship program to bring together a cohort of talented individuals with experience and interest in the gender and development space, who could bring fresh perspectives and potential solutions to threats faced by structurally silenced women and gender minorities in the country. This cohort could learn from itself and others, and look at innovative tech based interventions and ideas. The fellows were based around three central verticals; the social and development space, tech, and art. Afrah was part of the social and development space Vertical.

Violence seems random, and everywhere, there is no saying who would be targeted and who would be spared. Fatima, a young girl currently residing in Saudi Arabia, uses social media to stay in the loop of Indian politics and keenly follows and speaks up against atrocities committed against Muslims in India. While visiting India this year, she admitted that her ‘entire family was terrified’. When she did stay some time in India, she felt a sense of dissonance. Safety was surprising, not relieving.”

For most Muslim women interviewed for this report, social media was their window to the world. Its discursive potential had enticed them. For the first time in their lives, using social media, they learned to forge a political identity, be stakeholders in political conversations that have traditionally been dominated by men, advocate for what they believed in, and create an impact even if such impact meant changing a colleague’s ideas about something through extensive debating in the comments section. Targeted hate speech against these women then obviously harmed them much beyond their online presence.

The title of this report comes from what one of the interviewees said in response to the ‘liberal claim’ that while Muslim women are being targeted today, tomorrow, other marginalized women will be, and then all women will be. ‘Today is it us’, she had said, ‘tomorrow it will be us, and yesterday it was us’. In asserting so, she reemphasized Muslim women’s victimhood in light of the Hindutva project and drew a critical distinction missed by many- that hate and violence against Muslim women is not a way for misogyny to fulfill its agenda, but that misogyny against Muslim women is yet another way to fulfill the Hindutva agenda. Such a distinction is significant as we are confronted with political leaders and groups regularly insisting that the issues that Muslim women face are ‘women’s issues’ and not Muslim women’s issues.

Based on a series of interviews with activist-victims, this report seeks to complicate our understanding of the impact of targeted hate speech and push us to explore what meaningful solidarity and action centering Muslim women should look like. Allowing the interviewees a free-flowing space to mold their own narratives has helped this report move beyond cliches of oppression and marginalization to allow Muslim women the space to explore their hurt outside of narratives that they are socially forced to perform.

Through this report, the author has sought to contextualize the lives, work, and hurt of Muslim women who have been affected by digital hate speech. In order to convey the same, the report is divided into three distinct chapters: the first dealing with the hurt itself, the second dealing with the impact and aftermath of being subject to this hurt, and the final chapter dealing with the action and advocacy that is particularly being taken up by civil society initiatives at various levels in order to emphasize the bottom-up nature of digital hate speech.

tomorrow it will be us

Technologically Mediating Labour

By Ayushi Arora

The outputs mentioned in this blog post are part of the Without Fear fellowship program 2022 – 2023. The Bachchao Project started this fellowship program to bring together a cohort of talented individuals with experience and interest in the gender and development space, who could bring fresh perspectives and potential solutions to threats faced by structurally silenced women and gender minorities in the country. This cohort could learn from itself and others, and look at innovative tech based interventions and ideas. The fellows were based around three central verticals; the social and development space, tech, and art. Ayushi was part of the Art Vertical.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Images By: Ayushi Arora under CC-BY-SA 4.0

 

Digital ecosystems are embedded in everyday lives now, operating within socio-cultural-political contexts rather than in abstract. A lot in the lives of workers too, is mediated by technology and there remains no doubt that this mediation will only become multifold in the near future. From welfare schemes to redressal mechanism- a whole lot of world has turned cyber for the working class: Digitization of EPF and other benefits, biometrics attendance, mandatory implementation of Poshan Tracker App, Shram Suvidha Portal- the list goes on.

Labour is one of the least talked about and syndicatedly silenced beat in indian media. When we talk of women workers, the suppression of experiences is even more layered but wiped out from public consciousness. With technological transformation turning war footing, it has become imperative to closely interrogate the model in context of the vulnerable. The author aims to create a multimedia project that can sustain itself as an archival platform interrogating the intersections of labor, caste, gender and technology.

Over the course of this fellowship, the author wished to inquire into how labor practices and the working class are being transformed in the age of technologization, through an anti-caste and feminist lens. Ostensibly, these digital drives are designed to be efficient and make things simple. The author wished to put this belief under interrogation to find out if tech systems are designed keeping social realities in mind, or if they are making things simple only for those who know how to use technology, thus exacerbating inequality.

Additionally, the author also attempted to understand various ways in which state and non state actors supress voices of women from marginalised /minority communities as a direct result of identity and political assertion over social media. As part of this, the author has carried out a series of field interviews. Two of these are included in this blog post.

Anganwadi Resistance.docx
QR Final.docx
MK FINAL.docx

Without Fear?

Without Fear ?

Exploring online civic space participation by marginalised women in India 

Women activists and political organisers who belong to marginalised groups and challenge oppressive social orders often face state scrutiny, identity-based delegitimisation, sexual harassment and abuse in India’s online civic space.

This online civic space also seems to be ‘shrinking’ due to the increased criminalisation of dissent, social media censorship, internet shutdowns, troll and bot manipulations, and widespread hate against religious minorities and oppressed caste groups.

While such ‘shrinking’ is assumed to repress all civic space actors equally, women organisers belonging to marginalised groups often bear disproportionate impacts and heightened abuse. This is likely due to the reproduction of social power structures within the civic space (including online), and the marginalised groups having limited access to legal, medical and financial aid, political power and social networks of influence.

Marginalised women have been historically excluded by the mainstream Indian feminist movement, which is framed for an archetypal Hindu, upper-caste, cis-gendered urban, middle-class woman. Since proportionally few marginalised women have access to participate in India’s online civic space, any shrinking disproportionately affects them as they are already underrepresented.

This qualitative, exploratory study examines marginalised women’s participation in the online civic space through in-depth interviews with 12 participants.

 

Findings

Censorship and self-censorship

One participant reported censorship attempts by state actors while another stated feeling direct and indirect state presence through the surveillance of her livelihood. Nearly all participants reported practising ‘self-censorship’ due to state surveillance, criminalisation and online speech repression. Such ‘self-censorship’ was not directed by their ‘free’ will but by the fear of possible state repression. Participants were habituated to being hypervigilant about the content they shared in the public domain and its tone. They constantly carried out risk assessments in their heads of the limits within which they could express their opinions without getting into trouble or facing further repression.

Delegitimisation and harassment

Two-thirds of the participants faced online sexual harassment from platform users. Participants reported attacks on their identity with casteist, Islamophobic, homophobic and transphobic remarks; misogyny and collective trolling; unauthorised access and use of personal information (e.g. morphed photos) and hateful messages in their inboxes. Participants reported increased harassment when the content they shared received more visibility or had higher reach.

Powerlessness and impact on personal life

Participants reported feeling various degrees of fear and powerlessness, inseparable from their marginalised identity and the lack of access to capital or influential networks. Several participants expressed the fear that they may be subject to legal proceedings or unjust incarceration. They raised concerns about the risks by association for their family and friends, doxing, account takedowns and the consequent loss of networks, and the wider implications of state persecution, such as impacts on livelihood, future employment and pursuit of higher education.

Impact on mental health

A majority of participants reported adverse impacts on their mental health due to online harassment by platform users and hostile interactions with state actors. They described feeling trauma, triggers, hurt, depression, anxiety and shock. Some participants had taken social media breaks for their mental health. Without support systems such as publicly funded mental health facilities, participants’ mental health risks remained largely unaddressed.

Inadequate support from reporting mechanisms

All participants reported receiving inadequate redressal from online reporting mechanisms. They highlighted that reporting mechanisms do not account for context, have limitations as they are designed to only censor specific words or phrases, and are content-agnostic, which enables censoring of human rights abuse documentation.

On approaching law enforcement

A majority of participants reported that they did not feel comfortable approaching the police for online harassment. This is unsurprising given the police’s historical and present role in enforcing social hierarchies.

Precautionary measures

In order to navigate the unsafe online civic space, participants reported making their accounts private and refrained from sharing their personal information, work or field information and physical location. Participants did not necessarily have greater awareness about, or access to, digital safety and privacy.

Steering online discourse

Participants reported that the mainstream Indian feminist movement was exclusionary. They shared that the online civic spaces were often captured by privileged persons who offered conditional allyship or spoke on behalf of marginalised women. Some participants shared that they were slotted into specific, narrow categories and work domains. Participants also reported the risks of having their labour appropriated by bigger accounts run by privileged persons. Here, they identified algorithmic features and technological tools as facilitators of erasure and appropriation. Lastly, participants reported how online discourse on specific movements have started being steered by communities themselves only recently.

 

Way forward

This exploratory study recommends:

    1. Systematic, comprehensive and disaggregated documentation of abuse which captures the particular experiences of organisers in their self-determined, intersectional identities;
    2. A disaggregated and longitudinal study of vulnerabilities and risks from online abuse to help determine appropriate support and redressal strategies;
    3. Further research about platform governance (including its purpose), platform architecture and the political economies of platform profits and state patronage; 
    4.  Building diverse and specialised networks that provide safety, legal, medical and  technological support to the different groups of marginalised women online;
    5. Studying access and power within the online civic space and the feminist movement to help dismantle power hierarchies; and
    6. Studying the exercise of police powers, including police discretion, online.  

The complete report can be freely accessed here under CC-BY-SA 4.0.

Tailormade? A study on usability of Tails in India

Ordinary citizens are more conscious now, of the need for additional security. They’ve also started thinking about privacy in more concrete terms. The need for accessible tools and training becomes more evident among those who use shared devices and want to keep their time on the device secure and private. There are also other more vulnerable groups of persons. Tools for anonymous and secure conversations, especially when used on shared devices, can be of benefit to these users.

Keeping in mind the varied needs that will arise from a multifaceted population, we decided to train a selected group of persons to use Tails for their work. In this process we also conducted a study to document the usability of Tails.

Our study participants came from different backgrounds, there were a few unifying factors; they were all non-technical or casual digital users. Over four months, we familiarised participants with the basics of Tails and recorded their usage of the platform for their work.

In our study we found that tails is a great platform for non-technical users in most instances and has significant potential for use in a country like India. However, adaptability will depend on how well Tails adjusts to the local circumstances. As a result of our study we made the following recommendations

  1. Chipset Support

Participants with the Apple M1 processor chips were unable to install or run Tails on their systems. We recommended that this be provided in the future

  1. WiFi

Multiple participants faced problems while connecting to the internet, two of whom ended up not being able to connect at all. We recommended that documentation support troubleshooting for wifi connects and that wifi symbol appears even when there is no connection

  1. Search feature

Participants wanted an easily visible search bar to filter through files and folders.

  1. Keyboard shortcuts

The participants requested more shortcuts that are commonly found in other operating systems. These included the option to cut, copy, paste, undo, redo, switch between applications, select all, etc.

  1. Glossary or basic technical information to the Tails documentation (preliminary sessions)

We got feedback requesting a separate session to go over basic concepts before the actual training began or for additional resources for reference.

  1. Verified Tor Bridges

There is a need for more verified bridges for this region. The bridges obtained from https://bridges.torproject.org/ failed to connect on Tails Platform. We also obtained bridges from the Tor Team for the study participants, which failed to connect too. We recommended that more verified bridges be available.

  1. Video conferencing or chat support

Across the participant group, several spoke about the need for having a chat platform (Signal as an example) and videoconferencing support.

  1. Graphics

There was a persistent concern that using Tails on a public computer would make the user stand out as it looks considerably different from current operating systems. We passed this along to the Tails team.

  1. Startup tutorial

While circulating training material is a possibility, some participants wondered if it would be possible to have a tutorial option on the screen. This tutorial could take the user through some of the features we covered in the training sessions and make the initial use of Tails less intimidating.

  1. Localization

Additional translation for at least five commonly spoken Indian languages would be a good start to introducing Tails to more regional users.

Once the draft report was ready, we shared it with the Tails team. We then had a conversation with Sajolida, a Tails team member, to discuss the recommendations. Some of our comments were related to topics that had already been flagged by the Tails team earlier, and were issues they were working on. These included making the documentation more relevant to non technical users and localizing the material to India. They were open to including a glossary to their documentation, and look into on boarding. We discussed the possibility of introducing custom themes and backgrounds, incorporating keyboard shortcuts across applications into the documentation, and working on other general usage issues. They expressed hope at being able to work on running Tails on M1 chips, once the Linux community takes the lead.

 

Tailormade?A study on the usability of Tails in India

The complete report can be freely accessed here under CC-BY-SA 4.0