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Selected Materials on ITS Rio’s Work in the Field.
Cryptography is one of the most critical issues today, given its importance in protecting individuals’ privacy, security, and freedom of thought in the digital age. In recognition of this, the United Nations recently affirmed that encryption is essential for the exercise of freedom of expression, as stated by its Rapporteur, David Kaye. The term gained widespread public attention with the adoption of end-to-end encryption by applications like WhatsApp, which use this technology to better protect users’ communications and privacy.
Despite its clear importance, the discussion around cryptography in Brazil remains nascent. There is a significant lack of understanding about how cryptography works, its various applications, and its legitimate uses. Additionally, the challenges surrounding cryptographic regulation are becoming increasingly apparent, both in Brazil and globally, necessitating a nuanced public debate about the balance between privacy and citizen monitoring for public security purposes.
Therefore, providing substantial technical information is crucial to educating society and fostering a deeper understanding of cryptography and communication security in the country.
The Institute for Technology and Society of Rio de Janeiro (ITS Rio) actively contributes to research and public discussions on cryptography. ITS Rio regularly organizes events and disseminates quality materials to further the understanding of this topic.
- OPEN COURSE
The lack of information about how cryptography works, and its legitimate applications remains a challenge. To expand the debate on cryptography in Brazil, ITS Rio offers the online course “Cryptography, Security, and Rights in Practice” as an Open Educational Resource (OER). This course is freely accessible and shareable, providing a comprehensive overview of cryptographic applications in Brazil and worldwide. It also addresses the main challenges related to its regulation and use.
You can access the course content below the “publications” section.
publications
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events
The repeated blocking of WhatsApp raised critical questions about the relationship between encryption, privacy, and public security. ITS Rio has opposed such application blocks and, as an amicus curiae (“friend of the Court”), filed two petitions in cases addressing this issue.
In June 2017, the Federal Supreme Court (STF) held a public hearing on encryption and app blocking. ITS Rio, alongside other research centers and experts, presented arguments against these practices. Prior to the hearing, ITS Rio previewed the debate in Varanda ITS #40 (a series of regular gatherings organized by the Institute for Technology and Society to foster informal conversations about technology, politics, culture, society, democracy, and other topics within our research scope), hosting a discussion with professors Diego Aranha (Unicamp) and Rafael Maffei (USP), moderated by Celina Bottino.
Date: May 30, 2017
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