Osintracker’s Post

How do the experiences of Iraqi #returnees shape future migration decisions? Our research dives into the migration and reintegration experiences of Iraqi returnees, focusing on how their firsthand accounts can shape decision-making processes and inform migration campaigns. Key findings suggest that a mix of security concerns, economic factors, and social networks significantly influences migration decisions. Interestingly, returnees emerge as key #influencers against irregular migration, advocating for safer, legal routes based on their own journeys. If you are curious to learn more about the impact of Iraqi returnee experiences on migration practices, read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/geifdEgT Christina Khoury Marco Mogiani, PhD ICMPD Silk Routes International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD)

On 29th May 2024, we all woke up to this image making rounds on Instagram. It was shared over 48 Million times by almost everyone I knew. From friends and #acquaintances to celebrities and #Influencers, this image was the talking point even for those who had not mentioned Palestine once before in the last 6 months. Many took it to be a positive sign as the #situation got the well deserved public #attention, and don't get me wrong- it is good. But look closely.....this #AI generated picture is not showing the truth about Rafah or the Palestinians. While over a million internally #displaced people are taking cover in Rafah, you can't see any humans in this image. -You can't see the makeshift tents and the lack of #humanitarian aid. -You can't see destroyed hospitals and a beaten down healthcare system. -You can't see attacks on people who are in alleged 'safe zones.' -You can't see children being massacred and maimed. -You can't see women giving birth without anesthesia or kids being amputated without sedation. -You can't see the diseased areas due to a lack of hygiene facilities. -You can't see the destruction that has underwent in the city over the last few months. All you can see is what looks like neatly placed tents in the middle of a desert. While this picture brought attention to the matter, it failed to bring in the gravity of the situation. So those who learned about the conflict in Palestine for the first time with this photo continue to not know about the #ethnic cleansing. The virality of this image for 24 hours ended up simply being a formality and a gesture with lacking action and deficient response.

Can Social Media in Africa Be A Billion Dollar Boom 👉 Social media has been noted on several occasions and recorded as a severe danger to cognitive warfare, the new fighting front in the 21st century. 👉 At this moment, 170 million Africans (Facebook users in Africa) are connected with thousands of people across the globe compared to three decades ago. 👉 Social media ban affected communications and business, and the impact was immense, as strict regulations made information dissemination cumbersome. Learn more 👉 https://cutt.ly/aeumrcYR #businessstrategy #digitaleconomy #socialmedia #africa #linkedin

Varsha Bansal delves into the complex tapestry of motivations and repercussions behind India's TikTok ban, initiated in the wake of a border clash with China in 2020, and draws parallels to the contemporary debates swirling around the app's future in the United States. Through the lens of Veer Sharma, a TikTok content creator who experienced both the meteoric rise to fame and the sudden jolt of losing his platform and income overnight, Bansal illustrates the profound personal and economic impact of the ban on individual lives. The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of escalating geopolitical tensions between India and China, suggesting that the decision was less about actual cybersecurity threats and more a move in a broader geo-strategic chess game. Despite the official rationale of protecting national security and privacy, the ban upended a vibrant digital ecosystem, erasing a unique space where class and caste barriers were momentarily bridged, and cultural exchanges flourished. Bansal critically examines the aftermath: the fragmentation of digital communities, the rise and fall of TikTok clones, and the eventual dominance of American tech giants, highlighting the socio-economic dynamics and cultural losses entailed. Turning to the U.S., Bansal signals that America stands at a similar crossroads, facing pressure to ban or force a sale of TikTok amid national security concerns. However, the author warns against simplistic solutions that overlook broader issues of data protection and cybersecurity governance, stressing the potential First Amendment conflicts and the risk of exacerbating US-China tensions without effectively addressing the underlying data privacy problems. The considerations brought forward in the article encapsulate the following insights. - Geopolitical motivations often underlie decisions to ban platforms like TikTok, overshadowing stated cybersecurity concerns, and highlighting the need for transparent and consistent policy-making. - Bans on digital platforms can have unintended socio-economic consequences, disrupting lives and stifling cultural exchanges, thus necessitating a more nuanced approach to digital governance. - Addressing the challenges posed by global digital platforms requires holistic governance frameworks that go beyond bans, focusing on data protection, cybersecurity, and maintaining open, multicultural dialogue spaces. These insights show the importance of a balanced, informed approach to digital policy-making that navigates the delicate balance between national security, individual rights, and the global nature of digital communication and culture. #globalaffairs #geostrategic #bigtech #china #india #usa #tiktok #nationalsecurity #society #tiktok #digitalpolicy UnHerd Varsha Bansal

On 29 Jan 2025, Tiktok will become unavailable in the US... if nothing happens otherwise. In April 2024, President #joeBiden signed a bill into law to ban TikTok from the US. US is not the first to do this. ▶️ India banned TikTok in June 2020 following a military clash at the India-China border. India cited privacy, sovereignty and security as concerns. India went on to ban over 50 other Chinese apps. ▶️ Iran banned TikTok in 2020 as the content was deemed inappropriate. X and Facebook were already banned since 2009. ▶️ Syria, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan banned TikTok due to concerns over content and security. ▶️ Nepal and Senegal banned TikTok briefly in 2023, before lifting the ban after reassurances and agreement with TikTok to allay their concerns. 🔗 What happens when TikTok is banned? https://lnkd.in/gFt9_ZuE 🔗 Where is TikTok banned? https://lnkd.in/gCvK5hWJ #tikTokBan #nationalAdversary #socmedBan #freedomOfExpression

🚨 Albania Joins the Movement Against TikTok 🚨 Albania has announced a one-year ban on TikTok, citing its influence on promoting violence and bullying among youth. This bold step mirrors global concerns raised by the U.S. and others over the app’s content and societal impact. What does this mean for digital creators and businesses in Albania? Shift your focus to Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and other platforms to stay ahead. Let’s discuss how this decision might shape the future of social media in Albania and beyond! 👉 Read more here: https://shorturl.at/6tFh2 #DigitalMarketing #SocialMedia #TikTokBan #techupdates

Russia is the single largest sponsor of Africa-wide disinformation campaigns with 16 far-reaching operations. These disinformation campaigns employ paid African influencers, digital avatars, and the circulation of fake and out-of-context videos and photographs. Messages copy-and-paste from and are amplified through multiple channels of Russian state-controlled media, radio, and official communications, creating the repetitive echo chambers in which disinformation narratives become rote. Russian embassies appear to have helped set up a network of ostensibly African grassroots front organizations (Partenariat Alternatif Russie-Afrique pour le Développement Économique (PARADE) and Groupe Panafricain pour le Commerce et l’Investissement (GPCI)) to generate and amplify disinformation. https://lnkd.in/dkUJZr_5

I have a question for everyone on LinkedIn: why is it that whenever a video goes viral or is leaked in Pakistan, TikTok is always blamed? Sometimes, the individual involved doesn’t even exist on TikTok but uses a different platform entirely. Yet, we still point fingers at TikTok. Why does the media often highlight TikTok whenever a viral video surfaces, labeling it as a "TikToker video"? If we talk about user safety, we have been managing the Metrix Pakistan TikTok account responsibly, promoting safe, secure, and responsible use of cyberspace. As a result, we’ve gained over 100,000 followers. This demonstrates that when used appropriately, TikTok can help users grow their audience and engage positively. Blaming TikTok without proper context is not only unfair but also harmful. TikTok should consider collaborating with the government at both provincial and national levels to conduct workshops. These workshops could focus on media literacy and address these misconceptions. This would help tackle the issue more effectively and promote responsible use of the platform. When people unfairly associate TikTok with such incidents, it creates widespread misunderstanding and damages TikTok’s reputation in Pakistan. This not only affects the platform but also its users, potentially causing them significant harm. A proactive approach by TikTok could prevent such misconceptions and foster a safer, more responsible online environment in the country. Sohaib Khan Fahad Khan Niazi فہد خان نیازی Sidra Jalil TikTok Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Aisha Riaz Léa Kouwatli Adeeqa Nazir Dr.Javed Iqbal TikTok for Business Zunaira Rafi Sahaab Sajjad #SocialMediaResponsibility #TikTokPakistan #DigitalSafety #MediaLiteracy #ResponsibleUsage #ViralVideos #OnlineSafety #PlatformAccountability #SafeCyberSpace #TikTokMisconceptions #SocialMediaAwareness #ContentCreators #DigitalWorkshops #ResponsibleSocialMedia #CyberSafetyPakistan

https://lnkd.in/dv6WRZyR In a country where power cuts are as regular as the sunrise and the internet connection rivals that of a dial-up modem from the 90s, one might wonder: How many people are dwelling into the dark web and do we really deserve TikTok in Lebanon? Let’s explore this question with a healthy dose of sarcasm and a sprinkle of hard-hitting facts

Social media is a dynamic digital landscape that serves as a virtual meeting ground for billions worldwide. It's a place where ideas, opinions, and connections flow freely, transcending geographical barriers and cultural divides. In this realm, individuals curate their online personas, sharing moments of triumph, vulnerability, and everything in between. However, amidst the allure of likes and shares lies a complex ecosystem of curated perfection and algorithmic influence. While social media has the power to unite communities, amplify voices, and spark social change, it also harbors pitfalls, from the perpetuation of misinformation to the cultivation of feelings of inadequacy and isolation. As users navigate this digital space, it's crucial to strike a balance between authenticity and responsibility, recognizing the profound impact social media wields in shaping perceptions, attitudes, and even societal norms. 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭: 0318 4286468 𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬: 395D Johar Town Lahore #socialmediamarketing #Digitalworldtransformation #OnlineCommunityReele #internetculture #digitalage #VirtualConnections #digitalinfluencer #cyberculture #netizen #socialnetworking