naderAug 14, 2024
@hszakher @asem_alaa @gharbeia I remember around Sep 2014 then-Facebook started a global initiative to provide free-of-charge mobile internet targeting many 3rd word countries. One of them was Egypt and the initiative operated here roughly for a year before abruptly halting operations. I used it on my daily commute back then.
The catch was that you could only use about 10 services..(1)
Show threadnaderAug 14, 2024
@hszakher @asem_alaa @gharbeia
I remember using FB, WhatsApp, WikiHow. The initiative was branded as "aid" to developing countries, in retrospect now I see it as aggressive expansion and market research plot. In this period I started noticing FB & WhatApp buttons all over private companies' websites as the suggested contact method, few months later I started seeing flyers and banners IRL encouraging citizens to contact various govt services via FB & WhatsApp..(2)
Show threadnaderAug 14, 2024
@hszakher @asem_alaa @gharbeia I saw a banner for a direct WhatsApp line to governor's office! directorates and even official syndicates. Mind you I was living in the Delta. maybe in Cairo it started even earlier. Social media was a huge part of the zeitgeist. Every org and public institution started hiring social media teams and/or outsourcing to PR agencies. Despite that only 20% of Egyptians were online, they were more important audience to marketers & PR
Apologies for spamming your mention🌹
Show threadAsem AlaaAug 14, 2024
@nader @hszakher @gharbeia also WhatsApp is the only channel now to get your tagneed travel permission. The amount of governmental sensitive info being transferred through WA (incl military personnel doing it casually and officially on massive scale) is so alarming. The Egyptian mindset normally should get alarmed when WA is compromised by IDF. That is why it should be an easy and safe job by independent media and NGOs to lead the campaign of migrating from WA.
Show threadAsem AlaaAug 14, 2024
@nader @hszakher @gharbeia if an outlet like Madamasr does an investigative report about it they can provoke mainstream media discussions about it. 
I sent them my concerns about this issue directly after the Lavender report, but I guess they are not picking up the potentiality of this job. Maybe we need more people to communicate our concerns to such outlets.
Show threadGharbeia, â’¶Aug 14, 2024
@asem_alaa @nader @hszakher
Perhaps I can nudge Hamama. He used to be interested in this aspect of technology.
Show threadmhamamaAug 15, 2024
@gharbeia @asem_alaa @nader @hszakher I am still interested and would like to hear more
Show threadAsem AlaaAug 15, 2024
@mhamama @gharbeia @nader @hszakher happy to be part of any research
Show threadAsem Alaa
@mhamama @gharbeia @nader @hszakher
and thanks @gharbeia for inviting @mhamama to this thread.
Added email in bio if this goes forward and I can help in any capacity. I don’t consider myself expert in security. I just have worries abt WA monopolising comms:
1. I don’t trust WA safety claims, and Meta as a whole. Their backend is not opensource, without which you can’t verify their claims.
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Aug 15, 2024 at 4:48pmMastodon for iOS
Show threadAsem AlaaAug 15, 2024

@mhamama @gharbeia @nader @hszakher
Even if we assume good intentions of Meta, and they are not compromising with governments, then you have the metadata problem

These two blogs by @alshafei are enlightening

https://simplex.chat/blog/20240416-dangers-of-metadata-in-messengers.html
https://simplex.chat/blog/20240404-why-i-joined-simplex-chat-esraa-al-shafei.html

2. WA monopoly in government operations and private businesses make them vulnerable to single point failure.

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The dangers of metadata in messengers

Show threadAsem AlaaAug 15, 2024
@mhamama @gharbeia @nader @hszakher
3. this monopoly is weaponised by IDF against people in Gaza (let’s assume it is only metadata hacking), and so we should be concerned, let alone retaliating as people against Meta for their complicity as a whole (e.g. via boycotts and migration). If we assume it is only a metadata hacking, then they still bear responsibility for not calling out ISR and promptly fix their app and cut operations in ISR.
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Show threadAsem AlaaSep 19, 2024
@mhamama @gharbeia @nader @hszakher
sorry to bugger your notifications. I am bringing it again to the attention in the context of digital sovereignty after the pagers attacks and this precedent from Brazil:
https://mastodon.online/@parismarx/113154169521287878
Paris Marx (@[email protected])

Attached: 2 images Brazil’s fight against Twitter/X and Elon Musk is a “pivotal front” for those “seeking to build a democratic and people-centred digital landscape, focusing on social and economic development.” I was happy to sign this letter backing Brazil and the fight for digital sovereignty: https://tinyurl.com/yar7ab6r #tech #digitalsovereignty #brazil #twitter #socialmedia

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