When the Internet turns against you – Online abuse and AI privacy risks

The Internet is unsafe if you’re LGBTQ+ in Africa – and Big Tech isn’t helping Being online should be empowering - but for LGBTQ+ communities across Africa, it’s often dangerous. A new survey from digital rights group Access Now reveals how queer people are suffering harassment, threats, and abuse across social platforms. Instead of offering protection, major tech companies are turning a blind eye, leaving millions vulnerable. On this episode, we speak to Jaimee Kokonya, Africa Campaigner at Access Now, about the reality of digital life when simply logging on can put your safety at risk. Your AI browser extension could be spying on you Those handy AI browser assistants might be giving away more than they promise. A team at University College London has revealed that some of these popular extensions are quietly collecting highly sensitive data, including medical information and even social security details. We speak with Dr Anna Maria Mandalari, senior author of the study, about how these tools trade privacy for convenience, which extensions failed the test, and the one that actually passed. If you’ve installed one of these add-ons, you’ll want to hear this before your next click. The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell and the studio expert is Ania Lichtarowicz. More on this week's stories: Digital Rights LGBTQ+ Africa Rainbow-burning: how social media companies increase risks for LGBTQ+ people in Africa AI web browser assistants raise serious privacy concerns Production Manager: Liz Tuohy Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz For the PodExtra version of the show please subscribe via this link: https://somewhere-on-earth-the-global-tech-podcast-the-podextra-edition.pod.fan/ Follow us on the socials: Join our Facebook group Instagram BlueSky   If you like Somewhere on Earth, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify   Contact us by email: [email protected] Send us a voice note: via WhatsApp: +44 7486 329 484   Find a Story + Make it News = Change the World Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices