Advocacy & Aid

Digital Threats to Writers-in-Exile: What Is The Problem and How To Respond

When: Wednesday, November 4 from 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Where: in-person at the University of Toronto (exact address to be sent to registrants week-of event)

The aim of this workshop is to help writers-in-exile understand the digital threats they may face, and how to protect themselves and others.

The first half of the workshop will be a general discussion on digital transnational repression, or how foreign governments silence and threaten exiles abroad, including writers. Attendees will hear from Citizen Lab experts who have researched how digital transnational repression harms exiles in Canada and around the world.

The second half of the workshop will focus on specific kinds of digital threats faced by people in exile. Attendees will hear from Citizen Lab experts who have researched how foreign governments digitally impersonate journalists to win the trust of overseas activists; weaponize apps to monitor people’s digital communications; trick government critics into sharing access to their digital accounts; use spyware to secretly track people’s movements and communications; and use targeted ads to spy on journalists.

Through this workshop, Citizen Lab experts will provide practical advice on how writers-in-exile can recognize and respond to these digital threats. Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask questions and share their insights and expertise.

Following the workshop, Citizen Lab researchers will write a short publication for PEN Canada’s website which draws upon the ideas discussed at this workshop. This short publication will focus on digital threats to writers-in-exile, and the threat that transnational repression poses to freedom of expression. This publication will help raise awareness about the problem of digital threats, and encourage Canadian authorities to help protect vulnerable writers-in-exile.

Registration Required

This workshop is only open to members of the PEN Canada Writers in Exile network.

Registration is required. The exact location of this event will be sent the week-of the event, only to Writers in Exile members who have registered.