Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi
The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has launched two digital communication functions, dComms and DANCIT, as a part of efforts to advertise on-line privateness, digital rights and native technological innovation in Nigeria.
The organisation stated the group messaging functions have been designed to offer options to mainstream social media and messaging platforms amid rising considerations about information privateness, surveillance, on-line harassment and the business exploitation of customers’ private info.
Speaking throughout a Press convention yesterday in Bauchi, Mallam Buhari Abba on behalf of CITAD’s Executive Director, the organisation stated the initiative was being applied with assist from the Association for Progressive Communications (APC).
The Executive Director defined that dComms promotes decentralised social media and communication by means of the Fediverse, an interconnected community that enables appropriate platforms to speak with out counting on a single centralised service.
According to CITAD, the decentralised method affords customers and communities larger flexibility and reduces dependence on dominant know-how firms.
The organisation, nonetheless, acknowledged that decentralisation alone doesn’t get rid of privateness dangers, misinformation, cyberattacks or service disruptions, stressing the necessity for accountable administration, applicable safety measures and clear governance.
CITAD additionally launched DANCIT, an acronym for Dandalin CITAD, a cellular messaging utility meant to assist communication, collaboration and civic engagement amongst communities, younger individuals, civil society organisations, improvement companions and digital rights advocates.
The organisation stated the appliance attracts inspiration from the standard Hausa idea of a dandali, a communal gathering place the place individuals meet, alternate concepts and talk about points affecting their communities.
It stated DANCIT was designed to carry the spirit of group interplay into the digital house whereas offering an alternate channel for contemporary communication.
According to the assertion, the appliance is hosted on CITAD’s digital infrastructure and is meant to assist grassroots mobilisation, digital rights advocacy, info sharing and collaboration amongst people and organisations working in direction of social improvement.
CITAD stated its method to the functions displays a dedication to limiting pointless monitoring, profiling and the business exploitation of private info.
It urged customers to familiarise themselves with the platforms’ privateness and security measures and practise accountable digital safety.
The organisation famous that social media and messaging functions had change into more and more essential to journalists, civil society organisations, younger individuals, educators and unusual residents who depend on digital platforms to entry info, take part in public discussions and organise group actions.
However, it expressed concern that the focus of digital companies within the arms of some world know-how firms may restrict customers’ selections and lift questions on transparency, accountability and freedom of expression.
It argued that encouraging domestically developed and community-oriented digital platforms may strengthen Nigeria’s digital capability and supply alternatives for native establishments and know-how professionals to take part extra actively in technological improvement.
On digital sovereignty, CITAD stated Nigeria wanted the capability to make knowledgeable selections about digital infrastructure, information governance and technological improvement in ways in which replicate nationwide and group pursuits.
It clarified that digital sovereignty mustn’t imply isolating the nation from the worldwide web, however making certain that Nigerians have significant selections and the flexibility to develop options that meet native wants whereas remaining linked to the broader world.
The organisation known as on civil society teams, instructional establishments, youth organisations, journalists, know-how professionals, policymakers and improvement companions to discover decentralised platforms and assist digital initiatives that prioritise customers’ rights.
It additionally urged the media and academic establishments to advertise digital literacy and assist residents perceive how on-line platforms acquire, course of and use private info.
CITAD maintained that introducing various functions was just one a part of the hassle to create a safer and extra inclusive digital atmosphere, including that sustained public consciousness, group participation and accountable platform governance have been additionally vital.
The organisation stated its broader imaginative and prescient was to construct a digital atmosphere during which communities may take part meaningfully, train larger management over their on-line experiences and profit from technological innovation with out pointless compromises to their privateness and rights.
