Ripoti, an innovative online application has been launched for anonymous reporting of perpetrators involved in digital rights violations and ultimately provide protection and support to their victims.
Ripoti was developed by Paradigm Initiative (PIN) in collaboration with various organisations including Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), lawyers, researchers, National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs), digital security experts, counsellors, law enforcement agencies, and journalists.
Ripoti aims to uphold the principles of digital freedom by documenting, responding to, and addressing digital rights violations such as blackmail, cyberbullying, online harassment, and doxxing wherever they may occur, according to its creators.
Ripoti aims to uphold the principles of digital freedom by documenting, responding to, and addressing digital rights violations such as blackmail, cyberbullying, online harassment, and doxxing wherever they may occur, according to its creators.
Since the launch of the Ripoti app in April 2024, a total of 23 cases have been reported through the platform, with 12 of them being verified. The information provided through the Ripoti app is handled with the utmost confidentiality and the identities of those reporting are protected, Ripoti says.
To date, PIN, the parent company of Ripoti, has a track record of actively documenting cases of digital rights violations and providing litigation support to victims. This commitment is reflected in their annual Digital Rights and Inclusion in Africa reports. Additionally, PIN has supported journalists interested in covering these violations by providing them with crucial information and has collaborated with partners to launch advocacy campaigns addressing these issues.
Accessible through its website, the platform offers a range of resources including legal assistance, counseling, mental health support, and digital security guidance to aid victims of digital rights violations.
The increasing prevalence of these violations prompted the creation of Ripoti, a strategic and collaborative online initiative aimed at combating such incidents effectively.
Ripoti and importance of digital rights in Nigeria
In Nigeria, the concept of digital rights is crucial in ensuring the protection of citizens’ privacy and data. The right to privacy is essential as it aims to safeguard what individuals consider private, including their digital rights. Digital rights encompass both human and legal rights in relation to media and technologies.
Digital rights revolve around freedom of expression, Internet freedom, and the right to privacy within the realm of digital technologies, particularly the Internet. However, the scope of digital rights has expanded to encompass Internet accessibility, digital literacy, and digital labor rights, among other aspects.
However, instances of digital rights violations occur when these fundamental human and legal rights are infringed upon without proper authorisation. The safeguarding, respecting and protection of Nigerians digital rights against violation.
Impact of digital right violation on victims: Cyberbulling as a case study
A report from ResearchGate highlights the impact of cyberbullying, a digital right violation on victims. The report stated that “37 percent of the victims experienced social anxiety, while 36 percent reported symptoms of depression. Disturbingly, 24 percent of the victims reported having suicidal thoughts and 23 percent engaged in self-harm.”
The psychological effects of cyberbullying underscore the seriousness of this issue and its ability to cause significant harm to individuals both mentally and emotionally. In addition to the psychological impact, cyberbullying can also result in negative behaviors among victims.
The study revealed that 21 percent of victims of cyberbullying have skipped classes, indicating the disruptive nature of this behavior on their education. Furthermore, 12 percent of victims have developed antisocial behaviors, suggesting a potential impact on their social interactions and relationships. The study also found that cyberbullying can have an effect on physical health, with approximately 10 percent of victims developing eating disorders, which can have long-term consequences on their well-being.
Additionally, 10 percent of victims reported running away from home, highlighting the extreme distress caused by cyberbullying that can lead to drastic measures. These and more are the negative effects experienced from victims of digital right violation.
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