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When Transparency Fails: Meta’s Political Ad Policy During Israel’s War on Gaza
Since October 2023, both pro-Palestinian groups and their opponents have increasingly relied on online political ads to shape public discourse….
Meta AI’s darker side
AI chatbots have become more and more integrated in the lives of millions since 2022. Beyond technical assistance and finding…
Starlink in Lebanon: Who Does it Really Serve?
Hooking Lebanon onto Starlink has been a key initiative of Telecommunications Minister Charles Hajj during his current term—one marked by…
Syria Bans Online Surveys Amid Fragile Digital Infrastructure
Syria’s new government has banned all online and digital surveys without prior official approval, according to a decision issued by…
Syria: Digital Safety Tips from SMEX’s Helpdesk
The recent circulation of an audio recording, allegedly from a Druze religious leader in Syria insulting Prophet Muhammad, is being…
Open Letter to Samsung: End Forced Israeli-Founded Bloatware Installations in the WANA Region
In recent months, we have received numerous reports from users across West Asia and North Africa (WANA) expressing alarm over…
Overview of SMEX Panels at RightsCon 2025
From February 24 to 27, SMEX joined digital rights advocates, technologists, policymakers, and activists from around the world at RightsCon…