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1 | Tech tools for human rights documentation: Tools Table A selection of tools designed for for civil society documenters of human rights abuses. Curated by The Engine Room. Find more information, context and resources on our website: Tech Tools for Human Rights Documentation. | |||||||||||
2 | INFO LAST UPDATED | TOOL | LAUNCHED | ABOUT | PLATFORMS | DEVELOPED BY | LICENSE | SUPPORT & SERVICES | KEY FEATURES | SECURITY FEATURES | SHARING / IMPORT/ EXPORT | CONNECTIVITY REQUIREMENTS |
3 | Jan 2021 | EyeWitness to Atrocities | 2015 | Mobile camera app for recording footage securely and with added metadata. Footage is sent to eyeWitness | Android | eyeWitness to Atrocities. The tool is backed by the International Bar Association, where the eyeWitness project originated. | Not open source | Through partnership agreements, eyeWitness can offer documenters various levels of support, including: • sharing media back with organisations • manually categorising and analysing data • providing support in case-building. | • Adds metadata to photos and videos at the moment they are captured > the footage is then sent to the eyeWitness team. • Eyewitness use footage captured through the app to compile reports for international investigators (in collaboration with documenters, if contact details have been provided or a partnership agreement entered into) | • Photos and videos are stored in the app's secure gallery, which is only accessible via a passcode • Fast deletion of the app and its contents • Photos and videos are uploaded in encrypted format to secure servers managed by eyeWitness | • Copies of footage can be shared with others via email or social media • Documenters can receive copies of their footage by way of partnership agreement with eyeWitness | • Collection can be done offline, but upload requires an internet connection. |
4 | Jan 2021 | KoBoToolbox & KoboCollect app | 2014 | Suite of tools to collect, manage, analyse, and share data. Based on ODK (Open Data Kit) | Android, Web | KoBoToolbox at the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative | Code is open source | • Free, unlimited hosting for humanitarian organisations • Website includes thorough user documentation • KoBo hosts a community forum | • Facilitates the creation of standardised forms for data collection in the field • Collection can be done via the KoBoCollect app, or via web forms • Data management can be done via a KoBoToolbox backend | • Secure transfer of data available with the setup of SSL certificates | • KoBo backend works with Tella mobile app • Allows for bulk export of data in a variety of formats, including Excel, CSV, KML, ZIP (for media) and SPSS. This allows for data to be analysed and visualised using other commonly-used tools. • Phone's audio recorder can be used through forms in the mobile app, if set up. • Allows dynamic linking of data across projects, allowing for survey data to be added to over time. • Easy export available via URLs. | • Collection can be done offline, but connection to the KoBo backend requires an internet connection |
5 | Apr 2022 | Nextcloud | 2016 | Suite of tools for file storage and collaboration | Web, Android, iOS, Mac, Windows, Linux | Nextcloud GmbH | Code is open source | • Can be hosted on the Nexcloud platform,or self-hosted. • Nextcloud's GitHub repository hosts developer documentation • Nextcloud hosts a community forum • Direct support provided on the paid-for plan | • Facilitates creation and storage of files, forms and other documents. • Allows for collaboration | • Monitoring and logging tools for reporting and auditing • User permissions that cover passwords, expiration dates, hiding of existing files, blocking downloads • Data retention rules • File access controls • Multi-layered SSL/TLS encryption. Stored data can be encrypted, if enabled | • Files and folders can be shared with specific users or groups of users, or as public links, which can be password protected | • Internet/ intranet connectivity required • Desktop client allows for offline access |
6 | Jan 2021 | Proofmode (in beta) | 2017 | Mobile app that adds verification metadata to photos and videos taken with a phone camera | Android | Guardian Project | Code is open source | • Users can submit issues to the application’s GitHub repository. | • Adds metadata to photos taken using the default phone camera (ProofMode is not a dedicated camera app) • App works in the background and requires little setup | N/A | • Photos and metadata can be shared via the Android share functionality or as a CSV export, or backed up via OpenArchive’s Save app. | • No internet required |
7 | Apr2022 | Protonmail | 2013 | End-to-end encrypted email service | Web, Android, iOS | Proton Technologies | Code is open source | • Free accounts available (with limited storage and a cap on daily emails) • Website provides general documentation • Protonmail provides support via email | • Emails between Protonmail accounts are end-to-end encrypted | • End-to-end encryption • Company has zero access to user data • Option to set emails to self-destruct after a certain time | N/A | • Internet connection required to send and receive emails |
8 | Jan 2021 | Save | 2019 | Mobile app that facilitates the secure backup of images, videos, audio and other formats to a designated storage location, or allows them to be published via the OpenArchive | Android, iOS | OpenArchive | Code is open source | • Website offers an FAQ and an introductory video that takes a user through setup • OpenArchive offers direct support to groups interested in setting up a self-hosted or cloud-based secure archive, as well as training and help with technical or user experience issues | • Users can capture media in-app or import media from a variety of other apps (such as the phone’s built-in camera app), including photos, videos, audio recordings, pdfs and notes • Allows users to add some metadata to media manually | • Secure transfer of data using TLS on all platforms and, optionally, Orbot (Tor for mobile) on Android • Allows for pseudonymous submission to shared folders | • Data can be sent to OpenArchive, Dropbox, or a self-hosted webdav-compatible server (e.g. ownCloud or Nextcloud) • Allows for organisations to directly receive and organise submissions from unlimited users • Android version integrates with ProofMode, which adds verification metadata to photos | • Internet connection required to upload content to a storage location |
9 | April 2022 | Signal | 2014 | End-to-end encrypted instant messaging service. Allows group messaging. | Android, iOS, Mac, Windows, Linux | Signal Technology Foundation | Code is open source | • Website provides general information | • Users can send encrypted messages to other users • Messages can contain text, images, video or audio recordings • Allows group messaging | • Each chat is provided with a unique safety number that allows for secure encrypted conversations • Messages are end-to-end encrypted by default • Encrypts chat metadata as well as chat content | N/A | • Internet connection required to send and receive messages |
10 | April 2022 | Telegram | 2013 | Instant messaging service with optional end-to-end encryption for 'secret chats'. Allows group messaging. | Web, Android, iOS, Mac, Windows, Linux | Telegram FZ LLC | App is open source, server is not. | • FAQ available for both users and developers • Website includes a support request form | • Users can send encrypted messages to other users • Messages can contain text, images, video or audio recordings • Users can join and share information with groups | • 'Secret chats' are end-to-end encrypted | N/A | • Internet connection required to send and receive messages |
11 | April 2022 | Tella | 2019 | Mobile collection app for Android, with specific security features designed to protect those collecting data in repressive environments | Android | Horizontal | Code is open source | • Tella's GitHub repository hosts developer documentation • Tella provides direct support to partner organisations - this can include server installation, training, and technical or user experience issues. | • Camera function and secure photo storage • Offers ability to collect data via custom forms • Can add verification metadata to photos, videos and audio recordings • Can connect to a KoboToolbox or Uwazi backend for data management | • Camera stores footage in an encrypted location on the phone, separate to the default camera gallery • App can be disguised (icon and name changed) • Quick app shutdown or deletion • Secure transfer of data using SSL to a dedicated KoBoToolbox or Uwazi server, for storage and management • App can be locked with pattern, pin or password | • Files, including photos or audio recordings, can be imported from other apps on the phone • Integrates with KoBoToolbox and Uwazi, for data storage and management | • Media collection can be done offline but upload requires an internet connection |
12 | April 2022 | Ushahidi | 2008 | Crowdsourcing and mapping platform allowing people to crowdsource data collection and plot reports on a map in real-time | Web, Android, iOS | Ushahidi | Code is open source | • Can be hosted on the Ushahidi platform, or be self-hosted • Thorough manual available for users and developers • Ushahidi can provide custom development and support with tool configuration | • Allows users to map submissions via geolocation • Has some data review and validation features | • Secure data transfer using SSL/TLS between the browser and the Ushahidi server | • Can collect data from a variety of sources, such as webform, SMS, email/Gmail and Twitter | • Mobile version of the tool (web app) supports offline data collection, but otherwise requires a connection |
13 | April 2022 | Uwazi | 2017 | Responsive web app for storing, organising, analysing and publishing collections of documents | Web | HURIDOCS | Code is open source | • Can be hosted by HURIDOCS, or self-hosted • Thorough user guide available. • HURIDOCS provides direct support to partner organizations, including advice on methodologies, tools and strategies, and customising software | • Can be used to find frequency of references and patterns within individual pieces of content as well as relationships between pieces of information in the collection • Tagging templates • Data visualisation capabilities • Entries can be tagged with geolocation via the use of coordinates | • Two-factor authentication • Account locking after multiple failed attempts • SSL protocols that protect the data in transit | • Allows import of various file types, such as PDF, .doc, .txt, .odt, .jpg and CSV • Data export in CSV format • API available to create custom connections to other platforms • Digital Evidence Vault plugin allows data to be saved directly from online sources | • Internet connection required |