7amleh - Protecting Palestinian freedom of expression online: Violations database (7or)
To address the growing issue of hate speech and targeted attacks on Palestinians online, after many months of dedicated work, 7amleh launched the 7or database – the first open source online platform to monitor, document and follow up on the digital rights violations of Palestinians. The platform has provided a space for Palestinians to report any digital violations they encounter, including account suspension, content takedowns, incitement, sneak campaigns, hacking, gender-based violence, fake news and hate speech.
The platform also contains a visualisation tool that provides real-time data on Palestinian digital rights violations for academics, CSOs, researchers and students. The 7amleh team then follows up on the reports with social media companies and other relevant parties, given that 7amleh is a trusted partner of many of the largest social media companies such as Facebook and Twitter.
7or fills a gap that has always existed in the work of human rights organisations in general and digital rights organisations specifically, which is the ability to access a practical, detailed and organised database of digital rights violations against Palestinians. This is a pressing need for those who work in human and digital rights organisations, and the platform will enable them to improve their advocacy and lobbying of stakeholders.