ASL19

ASL19 (Persian: اصل ١٩) is an independent technology organisation that works toward practical responses for online information access. It is based in Toronto. ASL19 was founded in 2012 with the support of the University of Toronto's Citizen Lab. It maintains the FactNameh fact-checking website.

FactNameh

ASL19 launched FactNameh, a Persian language fact-checking website, in 2017.

Allegations of sexual assault

An investigative report by The Verge and an open letter from anonymous former female employees alleged workplace abuse and harassment. A freedom of information request from Ontario human rights tribunal revealed an allegation of abuse and sexual assault. ASL19 managing staff were allegedly complicit in covering up the alleged abuse. In the one reported case the organisation reportedly sought a non-disclosure agreement.

Digital rights organisation Access Now terminated their partnership with ASL19 for their RightsCon summit series in December 2017. Access Now stated they will only reengage with ASL19 once they "feel confident that any reports of misconduct have been investigated and there has been an appropriate response."

References

  1. ↑ "There is Always a Way". ASL19. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
  2. ↑ Black, Debra (May 17, 2013). "Iranian-Canadians enable Internet access for countrymen back home". The Star. Toronto. Retrieved November 18, 2013.
  3. 1 2 Daigle, Thomas (Jan 15, 2020). "Toronto-based fact-checking site tries to loosen Iranian regime's grip on the truth". CBC News.
  4. ↑ Brandom, Russell (2018-02-12). "How a rock star of Iranian digital activism built a culture of misogyny and fear". The Verge. Retrieved 2020-07-28.
  5. ↑ Brandom, Russell (2018-04-09). "Russel Brandom's Ontario Human Rights Court FOIA". Twitter. Retrieved 2020-07-28.
  6. ↑ Team, Access Now (2017-12-22). "Our commitment to better combat all abuse, harassment, and violence". Access Now. Retrieved 2020-07-28.