Article 27.09.2016 1 min. read Text Katarzyna Szymielewicz, the president of Panoptykon Foundation, was recognized by Access Now as a Hero of Human Rights “for her diligent work opposing the Polish Anti-Terrorism Law, which limits the right to assembly and disproportionately targeted foreigners without sufficient justification”. According to the International Principles on the Application of Human Rights to Communications Surveillance (the “Necessary and Proportionate Principles” or “13 Principles”): “Laws should only permit communications surveillance by specified State authorities to achieve a legitimate aim that corresponds to a predominantly important legal interest that is necessary in a democratic society”. Polish Anti-Terrorism Law adopted in June 2016 fails to meet this requirement. The list of controversies is long: foreigners' phone calls might be wire-tapped without a court order, and police might collect their fingerprints, biometric photos and DNA if their identity is “doubtful”. Online content might be blocked, citizens' freedom of assembly limited, and secret services are given free access to all public databases. Also measures such as the obligation to register pre-paid phone cards are included. Panoptykon Foundation and other critics, including the Commissioner for Human Rights in Poland, Adam Bodnar, have appealed to the Polish President, Andrzej Duda not to sign the law but President ignored these appeals. Full list of Heros & Villans of Human Rights and Communications Surveillance Fundacja Panoptykon Author Previous Next See also Report Algorithms of trauma: new case study shows that Facebook doesn’t give users real control over disturbing surveillance ads A case study examined by Panoptykon Foundation and showcased by the Financial Times, demonstrates how Facebook uses algorithms to deliver personalised ads that may exploit users’ mental vulnerabilities. The experiment shows that users are unable to get rid of disturbing content: disabling sensitive… 28.09.2021 Text Article Discrimination in datafied world Data-driven technologies are not neutral. A decision to collect, analyse and process specific kind of information is structured and motivated by social, economic and political factors. Those data operations may not only violate the right to privacy but also lead to discrimination and oppression of… 10.07.2018 Text Article Exceptional laws for an exceptional time In early December 2018 the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP24) will take place in Katowice, Poland. The act to regulate the organisation of the event restricts civil liberties to an extent that has already become familiar to Polish citizens. 15.06.2018 Text
