Director-Policy & Intl Programs @AccessNow. Prev led Policy & Partnership @opengovpart. Tech, democracy & #opengov. Views personal.
Heidelberg/ London/ Delhi
Joined February 2011
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Tonu Basu retweeted
The amendment made to the Conduct of Election Rules by the BJP government, in consultation with the Election Commission, will restrict public access to election-related records. Deals a blow to people’s right to information & has no place in a democracy. Our piece in @the_hindu today.
#SaveRTI
Tonu Basu retweeted
The Collagen Craze: Supplements Aren't the Miracle They're Marketed to Be
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Helen was a fantastic mentor, friend, ever-reliable for her fantastic coffee/ wine/ book recommendations - a seasoned, tireless civil society & access to info advocate at heart. All of us in the open gov community, & OGP, have a lot to thank her for. You will be missed, Helen.
At #UNGA79, there were more events on AI than one could keep up with, with plenty of platitudes about a rights-based approach to ensure safe, trustworthy AI, but little substance. So what is the current AI governance debate missing at the moment?
As AI governance dominates global conversations, human rights are being sidelined due to loophole-ridden laws, industry lobbying + far-fetched sci-fi risks.
We need AI governance rooted in human rights — not double standards. #UNGA79 🔽
accessnow.org/human-rights-a…
Tonu Basu retweeted
JUST IN: Wikimedia Foundation's official response to the Delhi High Court's threat to ban it in India. 👇
The arrest of Telegram CEO Durov has raised much speculation alongside some key policy questions. Here’s our statement on the important issues to consider.
Pavel Durov’s detention by French authorities is concerning –– here’s why.
While we need more info on the charges, encryption must be protected! Criminal enforcement measures must only be used when necessary + proportionate. Read our statement for more:
accessnow.org/press-release/…
Tonu Basu retweeted
1/3 🚨Today, the #AIAct will officially become EU law.
Did it deliver on centering people and #HumanRights like civil society advocated for during the legislative process?
Not really. But there's still some silver linings 🌥️
Read our statement ➡️
edri.org/our-work/statement-…
ALT STATEMENT: EU takes modest step as AI law comes into effect
Good report by @pressfreedom on distributed denial of service attacks (DDoS) that are targeting independent journalism platforms - from Philippines based Rappler to exiled Russian news site Meduza, to undermine press freedom. cpj.org/2024/07/cyberattacke…
And more detail on the Rappler case here: nitter.cf/mariaressa/status/1818…
Here’s what happened to us last year: rappler.com/technology/ddos-…
If you haven't paid attention to this so far, this would be a good time. The @hrw & @EFF teams doing great work on this - along with @accessnow's @tame_wildcard. Follow them for the latest on this!
The UN is poised to adopt a #UNCybercrime treaty that would create an unprecedented multilateral tool for cross-border surveillance by law enforcement without adequate human rights safeguards.
🧵below w/ @hrw & @eff 's take on the draft treaty, which is up for adoption next week
Tonu Basu retweeted
Here’s what’s happening in #Venezuela!
Multiple websites are reported to be blocked, including the opposition portal to compare the voting results. While @vesinfiltro closely monitors the ongoing developments, their website is also experiencing blockages.
nitter.cf/vesinfiltro/status/181…
#Venezuela 🇻🇪: Se reportan bloqueos de múltiples sitios web, incluyendo el portal de la oposición para comparar los resultados de las votaciones.
@vesinfiltro sigue de cerca los acontecimientos. Su propio sitio web también está enfrentando bloqueos. 🧵
nitter.cf/vesinfiltro/status/181…
Tonu Basu retweeted
"Official data is still the backbone of much of AI. And we don’t have enough of it" Read more about our conversations with @naticarfi and @joseph_in_md on this important topic in this post👇
@databarometer
@opengovpart
@opendatacharter
📊 Can #AI thrive without high-quality #opendata?
In a new #OGPHorizons post, @naticarfi, @silvanavf, and @joseph_in_md explore why access to #opengov data is the key to a transparent digital future.
@opendatacharter @databarometer
medium.com/ogp-horizons/beyo…
Tonu Basu retweeted
Time is running out. The flawed UN Cybercrime treaty is on the brink of adoption. Hear from civil society leaders and experts, incl @hrw's @TiranaHassan @txitua @khadijapatel @palomalacastro @tame_wildcard on what's at stake for human rights.
Details👇
eff.zoom.us/meeting/register…
Tonu Basu retweeted
We have big news!🎉
Join us in welcoming Alejandro Mayoral Baños as our new Executive Director! @alexmayoralb will take the reins from @solomonbrett, co-founder + Executive Director who served us for 15 years. Alejandro begins on October 1.
Learn more:
accessnow.org/press-release/…
ALT Meet Alejandro Mayoral Baños, the new Executive Director of Access Now. " I am honored to be joining Access Now as Executive Director. Taking on this new challenge as the world is navigating profound shifts in digital technologies and human rights, I’m eager to ensure Access Now helps steer these shifts in an ethical and sustainable direction; to center people and communities at risk in digital rights, and make the world a safer, more equitable, and accessible place for all — online and off.” -Alejandro Mayoral Baños
Tonu Basu retweeted
It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Simon Burall.
Simon was Involve's Director between 2009 and 2016, and a Senior Associate from 2017 to 2024.
We’ve written more about his life and inspiring work on our website below 👇
buff.ly/3WhFizd
🧵👇
ALT An image of Simon Burall.
Delhi, go go go! Not many have lived a life where they can truly say "the personal is political," - Aruna is one of the very few.
Join us tmrw Delhi for the launch of The Personal is Political by Aruna Roy.
🕕Time: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
📍Venue: Seminar Hall IIC New Delhi. The book reflects on a life of collective action, we hope you will join and share the evening with all of us. RSVP forms.gle/KdUzxj9CY9QSendf8
Tonu Basu retweeted
Something to celebrate. Looks like 41 % of UK MPs are women. When I first started researching women’s representation the proportion was about 3 %. It was less that 5 % throughout the 1980s, fewer than 10 % until 1997. Next stop 60%.
"There’s no solid evidence that the availability of generative AI tools is increasing demand for disinformation" Election-related disinformation is a symptom of the larger problems underlying generative AI and its societal impacts. Primer from my colleagues @EPirkova & @djleufer
Let's unpack generative AI!
Many have shared concerns about generative AI + its power to endanger democracies during the super-election year. Read our new blog to learn about its danger and the proposed solutions to tackle AI-generated disinformation.
accessnow.org/generative-ai-…