Digital rights project launched to advance Internet privacy, online safety in Jordan

AMMAN — The Jordan Open Source Association (JOSA) on Monday launched a project titled “Digital Rights: Improving Human Rights Online in Jordan” with the support of the Dutch embassy in Jordan through their Human Rights Fund.

The three-year project will campaign for user privacy and safety online, including freedom of expression, according to a JOSA statement. 

The project seeks to achieve its goals through raising awareness of digital rights and risks, promoting and advancing tools and best practices that allow individuals to protect themselves online, providing victims of digital incidents with technical support and advocating for digital rights in Jordan, said the statement.

These objectives will be realised in partnership with multiple stakeholders, including the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship. 

JOSA will leverage current governmental efforts in promoting transparency, accountability and economic development through the publication of Open Government Data, an online platform on which government data is made available to all citizens, according to the statement. 

The project will also contribute to current efforts to introduce Jordan’s first Personal Data Protection Law, which aims to protect Internet users against the unauthorised collection and utilisation of their personal data.

“As we increasingly rely on the Internet to express ourselves and improve human and social conditions for the betterment of society, human rights online are now touching everyone’s lives,” said JOSA Executive Director Issa Mahasneh. 

“We are glad to start this new project to boost our efforts in defending Jordanians' rights in a digital world,” he added in the statement.

“Today the Internet has become the world’s foremost public space, thus promoting and protecting Internet freedom is critical,” said Ambassador of the Netherlands to Jordan Barbara Joziasse.

 “The Dutch government believes Internet freedom should be guaranteed from a multi-stakeholder approach. We therefore support the role of civil society organisations in promoting a pluralistic, free and just society governed by the rule of law. We are thrilled to partner with the Jordan Open Source Association in this endeavour,” Joziasse was quoted in the statement as saying.