Back to the Human Rights Video Hub Pilot

Most sites which allow users to upload and share their own content have similar User Agreements; a set of legal requirements that one must agree to prior to using the site. For the most part, these agreements cover issues related to copyright and inappropriate or obscene material. The Human Rights Video Hub Portal differs from other video sharing sites in that users need to be aware of the potential safety and security issues related to the public distribution of human rights related content, as well as the standard issues of copyright and obscenity. These safety and security concerns apply both to the users or media makers, as well as to the people depicted in the material.

During this pilot phase of the project, no user submitted video will be hosted on computer servers managed by WITNESS or Global Voices. This means all video content will be stored with third parties, and so neither WITNESS nor Global Voices can hold these third parties accountable for this content or for what is done with it. More importantly, we cannot guarantee the security of any personal information you share with these third parties when you upload video to them.

Be sure to read the user agreements of the sites you upload your content to very carefully before proceeding. Some commercial services operating in some countries are documented to have handed over personally identifying information of political dissidents to police in the country where the service has business operations. In many cases, the User Agreements of these services actually inform the user that his or her information will be shared with law enforcement authorities.

Currently, we recommend uploading your video to Internet Archive as they are a non-profit and have no commercial interest in the content uploaded by users. But we will accept appropriate links from any online video source, i.e. YouTube, Google Video, blipTV, etc.

If you feel you are at risk, here are some ways to protect your identity online:

1. Upload video using a system that anonymizes your identity.
   We recommend Tor (tor.eff.org), but information on other alternatives is available as part of Reporters Without Borders Guide for Bloggers and Cyberdissidents.
   
2. Don't give out any information that could be traced back to you as an individual.
   EFF's "How to Blog Safely" has helpful tips on this topic
3. Use anonymous email.
   Sign up for a free anonymous email account at hushmail.com . When you sign up, use a name and address that cannot be traced to you. Use this address to register for other free services like YouTube or Google video. We strongly recommend you do not use the free mail services from Yahoo! or Hotmail - these services include information with every email you send which makes it easier to track your location.
4. Be aware when using public computers.
   When using a public computer such as one in an Internet café, be aware of the type of information required to sign up as well as whether or not the room is being filmed by surveillance cameras.
   

For more detailed information about how to maintain your anonymity and security when posting material online, see the technical chapters of Reporters Without Borders’ Handbook for Bloggers and Cyberdissidents .

Things to keep in mind when uploading videos:

1. What sorts of situations are depicted in the videos? Is it an event or an interview? Who is in the video – is it ok that their identity is known? If not, how can you ensure the privacy and/or anonymity of the people depicted? (See editorial submission guidelines)
   
2. What about your own personal safety? Where do you live? Is Internet use monitored in your country? The OpenNet Initiative, Reporters Without Borders and Internet Censorship Explorer are good resources for information about different types of censorship and surveillance in various countries around the world.
3. How much personal information are you giving when registering for a video upload site? If possible can you sign up for various online services anonymously, i.e. without using any personally identifiable information?
4. Where are you using the Internet - in a café or other public space - are you using it from home? You are more likely to leave information that can be used to identify you as an individual when using a public computer.
5. How are you uploading your content – are you using a web browser or a mobile phone? Keep in mind that mobile phone transactions are can be monitored and are not secure.