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The latest updates on digital rights from West Asia and North Africa
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WhatsApp gets a little worse with AI
Last week, Meta announced that WhatsApp will now feature targeted ads. As many news articles and comments from civil society…
Meta Censored Critical Updates on Syria’s Regime Change, Prompting Oversight Board Review
In December 2024, Syrians witnessed the unthinkable: the collapse of Assad’s regime by a coalition of armed groups, led by…
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…
Telecommunications in South Lebanon: Has the Network Recovered After the Ceasefire?
Six months after a fragile ceasefire ended Israel’s full-blown war on Lebanon, many villages in South Lebanon remain without reliable…
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…
AI Investments in the Gulf: Opportunities and Surveillance Risks
Methodology All findings and analyses were developed through the review of publicly available information, including online articles, research papers, investment…
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…