Details are updated as of 22 December 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic worsened the state of digital rights across the Asia-Pacific. Governments took advantage of the health crisis to normalise authoritarian practices, state surveillance, and unprecedented data collection. From the massive disinformation campaigns that endanger activists in the Philippines to the internet shutdowns in Myanmar and the vaguely-worded and oversweeping laws that limit free speech in Thailand and Indonesia, rights defenders across the region face various digital dangers.

The Forum will cover these and more at the opening keynote panel titled “The Asia-Pacific Digital Rights Situation” on January 12 from 10:30AM to 11:30AM Bangkok time (UTC+7).