achdhri

Position

Senior Researcher & Technologist Digital Rights · Data Privacy & Protection · Surveillance · South Asia Available For: Full-time & project basis Research · Data Protection · Privacy & Surveillance Policy · Advisory

Focus

I work with civil society organisations, policy-making institutions and international rights bodies to understand not just what surveillance entails, but what the theoretical reach and limits of relevant and related laws and political actions can be. My work has been published by or in conjunction with the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University, The Dangerous Speech Project, Digital Rights Foundation, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, and the Heinrich Böll Stiftung, among others. I have also contributed to reports by Freedom House.

Areas of Focus

Surveillance & Privacy
Pakistan & South Asia
Data Protection
Law & Legislative Outcomes
Gendered Disinformation
& Tech-Based Gendered Violence
Research
Research & technical expertise applied to surveillance, privacy legislation & digital rights in South Asia
Analyses of Pakistan's digital rights landscape, examining its surveillance infrastructure, legislative frameworks, as well as the technical mechanisms through which rights are eroded. My research has been presented at international conferences, informing civil society and policy audiences.
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Publications
Outputs published for Electronic Frontier Foundation, Privacy International, the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society, Digital Rights Foundation & Heinrich Böll, and others
I have authored, co-authored and edited reports, articles and policy papers spanning cybercrime legislation, gendered disinformation and online hate speech, surveillance overreach, telecom data policies, and voter data privacy violations. My body of work ranges from academic journals to civil society research briefs.
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Availability
Open to: Senior privacy & surveillance research, data privacy & protection advisory, and policy roles
Available for full-time and consultation positions and project engagements with think tanks, civil society organisations, academic institutions, and public interest technology bodies, with a particular focus on roles at the intersection of digital surveillance technology systems, and legislative or policy frameworks.
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Published / Collaborated With

Privacy International
Electronic Frontier Foundation
Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society
Digital Rights Foundation
Heinrich Böll Foundation
The Dangerous Speech Project

Testimonials

“Adnan brings breadth and depth of knowledge to his work, producing research that is consistently thoughtful and analytically rigorous. His expertise spans technology, human rights, politics and history, allowing him to approach issues in an intersectional and multidisciplinary way that very few researchers can. Adnan has played a formative role in shaping early thinking and practice around digital rights in Pakistan. This commitment continues through his diligent work and initiatives on digital rights in South Asia, which translate complex issues into accessible, impactful analysis.”

Shmyla Khan
Shmyla Khan, Human Rights Activist & Researcher

“Working with Adnan was an exciting and genuinely enriching experience. As a technologist and senior researcher specialising in data privacy, surveillance, and digital rights, he brings a rare combination of up-to-date industry knowledge and indepth archival understanding that grounds his work in both context and rigour. He is very committed to his research and consistently takes initiative to pursue the work he cares about. This is evident in the digital rights newsletter he established, which has become a valuable resource for staying informed on emerging developments and offers clear insight into his areas of focus.”

Hija Kamran
Digital Rights Advocacy Specialist

“Adnan is a thoughtful collaborator- he is a great team player and honest. He brought clarity to our research. His work with us was rigorous and thorough.”

Mariam Yazdani
Senior Advisor, Viva Rio.