For the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, a plethora of technologies are being deployed including smart city tech, drones, and facial recognition, and a mandatory digital registration system, known as Hayya (“let’s go” in Arabic). To access the tournament, spectators are required to obtain a Hayya card using the mandatory Hayya application. The Hayya …
In April 2020, SMEX launched the Digital Safety Helpdesk to support internet users, activists, journalists, bloggers, and human rights organizations who have been affected by cybersecurity incidents in Arabic-speaking countries. The Helpdesk team tackles and tracks a wide range of cases, from lost devices or a malfunctioning website to online censorship, harassment, and doxxing. When …
On September 1, the Ministry of Public Health launched Ma3an – Together Against Corona, a contact-tracing application intended to stop the spread of Covid-19. After a preliminary review, SMEX found that although the application collects limited personal data, it contains a few security flaws. The Ministry of Public Health, in collaboration with the Faculty of …
Security Concerns with Lebanon’s New Contact Tracing AppRead More »
Over the past couple of weeks, state agencies, international organizations, and local initiatives have launched applications to track housing damage, provide food assistance, and offer health services in the wake of the Beirut explosion. These are incredibly important initiatives, but they should also take the necessary steps to protect users’ personal data. Out of necessity, …
How To Make A Privacy-Oriented Application During A CrisisRead More »
With more countries announcing a state of emergency in response to the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, organizations have begun adopting “work from home” policies. The number of organizations taking this approach will likely increase going forward and users and organizations must pay attention to their digital safety while working from home. While working from home, …
How to improve your digital safety while working remotelyRead More »