READ. THIS. POST.
PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FRIENDS FROM BEING DOXXED.
First, the definition of “dox”: “to search for and publish private or identifying information about (a particular individual) on the Internet, typically with malicious intent.”
Cyber Violence Executive Summary revisions
The Broadband Commission, one of the main organizations behind the infamous UN Cyber Violence Report, has recently released a revised Executive Summary. Previously, they had rescinded the original report after receiving wide criticism for their sloppy source materials, which ranged from blank links to somehow sourcing a local author’s hard drive. I do not believe that the newly released Executive Summary is meant to replace the original, but rather to clarify its objective and goals.
Below, I have recorded each change I was able to find between the two documents.
Added Objective
- “The main objective of this Discussion Paper is to call attention to emerging trends and to start discussions on the implications of these trends on efforts to advance gender equality and the empowerment of women in the digital age. This paper recognizes the wide array of issues related to ‘cyber-violence’ and does not present itself as a full compilation of those issues or of proposed solutions.”
*Note* Overall, they have changed the descriptor of the document from a “report” to a “discussion paper”. They emphasize this in the third paragraph where the only change was from “Writing this report has…” to “Writing this discussion paper has…”
Removed
- “In May 2015, a Toronto sports reporter was verbally assaulted while broadcasting live at a professional soccer league game. Following public outrage, the main aggressor lost his high paying job at a public corporation. The sports team also banned four of the offenders from the stadium.”
*Note* This story was removed as an example of a “high profile incident.” No source given.
Changed
- Previous – “… as reports suggest that 73% of women have already been exposed to or have experienced some form of online violence in what must still be considered a relatively new and growing technology.”
- Current – “… as reports suggest that 57% of Americans experiencing harassment online are women.”
Removed
- “In 1995 less than 1 per cent of the world population was connected to the Internet. That number has grown to 40 per cent, with over three billion unique Internet users.”
Changed
- Previous – “While women are about 25 per cent less likely to have access today…”
- Current – “While fewer women than men access the Internet today”
*Note* Neither statement has a source given.
Removed
-
“Another report on women’s access to and use of mobile technology shows a growing gender “use” gap which is partly attributable to women’s concerns over privacy and security.”
- Source – Bridging the Gender Gap: Women’s Mobile Access and Usage in Low and Middle Income Countries , GSMA, 2015
- Link to Study
*Note* The study they use to show a gender gap in access/use of mobile technology did not include the U.S. While women in “Low and Middle Income Countries” may be concerned over privacy and security, there is no evidence that it can be applied to the women in the U.S. or other developed countries.
Removed
- “… putting women at increasing disadvantage for being excluded from enjoying the benefits of ICTs and the Internet.”
-
Source – Please see in particular the previous reports of the Broadband Commission Working Group on Gender at http://www.broadbandcommission.org/workinggroups/Pages/bbandgender.aspx
-
*Note* Original sentence = Failure to address and solve cyber VAWG could significantly impede the digital inclusion of women everywhere, putting women at increasing disadvantage for being excluded from enjoying the benefits of ICTs and the Internet.
If I’ve missed anything please let me know.
I’m back! Maybe. Kind of?
Hi guys! After a long hiatus for personal reasons I think I will start posting again. I thought I was done for good but I actually miss writing. Regardless of whether anyone reads these posts, it keeps my thoughts in check and help me figure out my stance on things.
For anyone who has visited my blog before, my posts will be pretty different form before. Way less Gamergate-centered articles and more of just anything that happens to catch my interest. Of course, I may still come up with some GG-related articles, but it’s not something I’m really focused on any longer.
In any case, thank you to the people who have reached out while I was gone! Each came as a huge surprise and they meant a lot. I hope I don’t disappoint!
Quick Update: The AbleGamers Foundation and Gamergate
There has been some confusion over the situation with the AbleGamers charity that is breeding a lot of anger. Here are the facts so that hopefully this can be laid to rest. This was NOT Anti-Gamergate’s fault, this faux pas was completely on Gamergate. However, there is no evidence linking Gamergate to AbleGamer’s site being down.
Game Review: The House (Short)
Background
Game: The House
By: Sinthaistudio.
Genre: Horror.
Type: Point & Click Flash game
Quick Update: Wardell and Quinn’s Newest Drama [1]
*NOTE* I am not implying that either party was right or wrong in this matter. I am only showing the bare bones of the situation for anyone who was wondering.
Once again, Brad Wardell of Stardock is in some drama. What happened this time?
Quick Update: Alanah Pearce interview
Background: Alanah Pearce, a video game journalist, tracked down some of her online harassers. They turned out to be young boys and she decided to report them to their mothers. She posted the reply from one mother on her Twitter, which garnered a lot of attention. The source of the harassment has connected to Gamergate in multiple online publications. Is this accurate?
Quick Update: Sarkeesian never supported #CancelColbert
I thought this rumor had been largely debunked. However, I have seen some references to it so I would like to go ahead and lay out the facts in regards to this. Continue reading
Quick Update: Amita Sarbeesian = Fake
Far Cry 4 came out today, November 19. Around midnight there was speculation about a featured character named “Amita Sarbeesian.” It sounds so fake right? That’s because it is.
Quick Update: Jack Thompson and Gamergate
I’ve seen a lot of people saying “Jack Thompson has joined Gamergate!” But, he hasn’t. This is complete misinformation.
Swatting: What is it and how to avoid it
What is Swatting?
Swatting – “the act of tricking an emergency service (via such means as hoaxing a 9-1-1 dispatcher) into dispatching an emergency response based on the false report of an on-going critical incident.” The response can range from anywhere between the cops showing up to bomb squads, depending on the false information given.
Swatting is a serious offense that is both reckless and dangerous.
Change Our Gaming 