RIPOTI, launched today, aims to fight the worrying trend of increasing digital rights  violations across the African continent. 

(30 April 2021) – RIPOTI, a groundbreaking new platform for the protection of the digital  rights of all African citizens, was launched today by Paradigm Initiative, during the  closing session of the Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum 2021. Ripoti –the first of its kind  on the continent—allows citizens across Africa to report violations of their digital rights,  then connects them with experts who can help them seek justice.

“Digital rights are just as fundamental as all other human rights,” said ‘Gbenga Sesan,  Director of Paradigm Initiative. “We have seen a worrying increase in digital rights  violations across Africa. Until now, citizens have had no easy way to protect their rights  by tracking and reporting these violations. Ripoti empowers them to do that.”

The digital world has become a critical space for economic activity, access to  emergency services, and the exercise of freedom of speech and freedom of the press.  But there are growing instances of cyber bullying, online gender violence, internet  censorship, or the illegal use or accessing of an internet user’s information, a trend  emboldened by health surveillance during the pandemic.

With the Covid-19 pandemic pushing many more people online, many of the vices and  violations that used to exist only offline have now started to crop up in the digital space,  including violence against women, the illegal use of user information, the violation of e consumer rights, and more. More information can be found in LONDA – Digital Rights  and Inclusion in Africa Report 2020 launched by Paradigm Initiative.

“For many years, Paradigm Initiative has actively documented cases of digital rights  violations and offered litigation support to victims,” said Boye Adegoke, Senior program  manager at Paradigm Initiative. “Eventually, we started to get overwhelmed by the  number of violations we had to monitor. It became clear that we needed to create a  communal, strategic, and systemic response to these many incidents of digital rights  violations. RIPOTI is the answer, and we’re excited to share it with people across Africa.”

Digital rights violations in Africa: A worrying trend 

A growing number of Africans are using Information and Communications Technology  (ICT) on a regular basis, which has made digital technologies critical to the enjoyment of  their rights and improvement of their livelihoods. However, many governments have taken steps to undermine internet access and even encroach on civic participation and  the right to freedom of expression online. Some countries have also cracked down on  human rights defenders or journalists who challenge the state authorities. 

∙ In Ethiopia, the internet has repeatedly been cut off during times of social unrest. The same phenomenon has been reported in Cameroon. 

∙ In Nigeria in January 2021, a news website known for being critical of the government was blocked, allegedly on government orders.

∙ On the eve of the Ugandan general elections in January 2021, the country’s internet was shut down for weeks. The president justified the shutdown by saying that it was in retaliation for Facebook removing some pro-government accounts.

∙ In Tanzania, telecom companies in the country were ordered to suspend bulk SMS, bulk communications and individual messages with keywords”CHADEMA”, “LISSU” until after the elections in a bid to weaken the opposition

∙ In Burundi, on election day Whatsapp, Facebook, Instagram and Yahoo mail were  all made inaccessible. Authorities cut access to social media networks. 

“Citizens’ rights to express themselves online and offline and gather and disseminate information and ideas are critical to the fate of democracy in Africa,” said Sesan of Paradigm Initiative. “Not only that, but the absence of data privacy and protection, illegal and blanket surveillance, internet shutdowns, and other rights violations all impact  negatively on democracy and economic development. The centrality of digital rights makes them the business of all citizens.”

About RIPOTI 

RIPOTI is a Swahili word that means “report.” The platform was conceived as an easy way for individuals, organizations, and others to report cases of digital rights violations that they experience, witness, or that are reported to them. RIPOTI allows for a community response to these cases. It is available in both English and French. RIPOTI was developed in partnership with the Omidyar Network and the Netherlands Embassy.

All you need to do is visit www.ripoti.africa and click “make a report” and then fill in the various dropdown options, including the report type to be made, region etc., after which  you will be asked to agree to the terms and you will then be contacted based on the details of your report. 

About Paradigm Initiative 

Paradigm Initiative works to connect underserved young Africans with digital opportunities, and ensures protection of their rights. Our programs include digital inclusion programs – Life Skills. ICT. Financial Readiness. Entrepreneurship (LIFE) training  program and Dufuna – and a digital rights program. Across our regional offices in Cameroon, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, Zambia, Zimbabwe and beyond, we work to connect under-served African youth with improved livelihoods through our digital inclusion and digital rights programs.