Deadline: 30-Sep-20
The Digital Freedom Fund is issuing a call for applications for strategic cases challenging the gravest digital rights violations committed in the context of the COVID-19 situation that is either a direct result of responses to the pandemic or is demonstrably linked to and exacerbated by it.
Litigation challenging existing digital rights issues that have only seen a limited impact from the pandemic fall outside the scope of this call. Digital Freedom Fund will prioritize applications that focus on addressing the negative impact felt by the most vulnerable groups in society, who generally will have limited access to justice and experience particular hardship due to the already existing ‘digital divide’.
The COVID-19 Litigation Fund supports strategic cases challenging digital rights violations committed in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The litigation is carried out as part of a wider strategic vision and will lead to an impact extending beyond the parties directly involved in the case. It will bring about legislative, policy, or social change.
Focus Areas
Digital Freedom Fund’s COVID-19 Litigation Fund will focus on:
- Advance individuals’ ability to exercise their right to privacy
- Protect and promote the free flow of information online
- Ensure accountability, transparency, and adherence to human rights standards in the use and design of technology.
What type of cases will be supported?
Cases that relate to digital rights violations that are a result of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic or exacerbated by it.
Examples:
- The tracking of citizen’s movements, communications, and health data in relation to the pandemic
- Online censorship, ostensibly to curb the spread of misinformation about the virus
- The use of artificial intelligence to assist combatting the virus, but with little or no oversight or regulation, and/or that exacerbates existing inequalities
- Cases should ideally fit under one of Digital Freedom Fund’s three thematic focus areas, but cases with a different thematic scope are not excluded from the call.
What type of cases will not be supported?
Litigation challenging existing digital rights issues that have only seen a limited impact from the pandemic. For these types of cases, please apply under Digital Freedom Fund’s regular grant-making process.
Examples:
- Data and privacy violations in the online advertising technology industry
- Unequal internet access caused by net neutrality violations
- Discrimination caused by the use of algorithms in the criminal justice system
Eligibility Criteria
- Any organization that advocates for digital rights, including as part of their broader human rights or social justice work.
- DFF accepts grant applications concerning all Council of Europe Member States.
For more information, visit https://digitalfreedomfund.org/grants/covid-19-litigation-fund/