Yazar: toplumadestek

Online search history is a significant component of your digital footprint, as it provides valuable insights into your interests, preferences, and activities on the internet. Essentially, it refers to the record of search queries you enter into search engines like Google, Bing, Yahoo, or others while using the internet. This record includes the terms or phrases you’ve searched for, the websites or pages you’ve clicked on from search results, and sometimes even the date and time of your searches.

This information is collected by search engines primarily to improve their services. They use it to refine search results, enhance user experience, and personalize content recommendations. When you’re logged into a search engine’s platform, such as Google, your search history is often linked to your user account. Consequently, it becomes an integral part of your digital profile, painting a picture of your likes, dislikes, hobbies, interests, health concerns, travel plans, and more.

Your search history can have far-reaching implications. It can influence the ads you see, the search suggestions you receive, and the content recommendations you encounter on various websites and platforms. Advertisers, in particular, leverage your search history to serve you personalized ads based on your demonstrated interests.

However, the collection and use of search history data raise privacy concerns. Unauthorized access to your search history could reveal sensitive information, potentially leading to identity theft or invasive advertising practices. In response to these concerns, most search engines provide privacy settings that allow you to manage your search history. You can often delete specific searches or clear your entire search history as a protective measure.

Additionally, using private browsing or incognito mode in web browsers can help prevent your searches from being saved in your search history. It’s essential to be aware of how search history data is collected, stored, and used and to take steps to protect your privacy if you have concerns about the information being gathered and shared. Moreover, in some jurisdictions, there are laws and regulations governing the collection and use of search history data, further emphasizing the importance of understanding and managing this aspect of your digital footprint.

How to protect your search history?

Firstly, consider using private browsing or incognito mode provided by most web browsers. This feature ensures that your search history and browsing activity aren’t saved locally on your device. It’s an effective way to conduct searches without leaving traces.

Additionally, regularly review and delete your search history on search engines and online services. Platforms like Google offer a “My Activity” page where you can manage and clear your search and browsing history. This practice minimizes the amount of data stored over time.

To prevent personalized ads based on your search history, adjust your ad settings. Many online platforms allow you to opt out of personalized advertising. Tools like the AdChoices program can assist in this regard.

Consider using privacy-focused search engines such as DuckDuckGo or StartPage. These alternatives prioritize user privacy by not tracking your searches or storing your search history.

Encrypting your internet connection with a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is another effective method. A VPN anonymizes your online activities, making it challenging for third parties to monitor your search history.

Review and configure the privacy settings on your online accounts, especially those requiring login information. Adjusting these settings can limit data collection and storage.

Browser extensions like Privacy Badger or uBlock Origin can help block tracking scripts and cookies. By installing these extensions, you reduce the amount of data websites can collect about your online behavior.

Remember to log out of accounts when you’re done using them, particularly on search engines or online services. Logging out helps prevent your searches from being associated with your account.

For sensitive or confidential searches, use secure search engines designed explicitly to protect your privacy. These search engines typically don’t store search history or use tracking mechanisms.

Stay informed about online privacy best practices and changes in privacy policies. Knowledge about how your data is collected and used is crucial for effectively protecting your search history.

While achieving complete online anonymity can be challenging, implementing these strategies significantly enhances your privacy and reduces the visibility of your search history to third parties.

In the online space, there are various rights and responsibilities that we need to be mindful of to ensure we lead our digital lives safely and ethically. Online rights include the copyright of our own content, for instance, when we create and share a blog post or video. This means that we have rights over this content, and others cannot use it without our permission. Data privacy is another important right, wherein online service providers and websites must respect the protection of our data and should not share it without our consent.

Freedom of speech applies on the internet as well, but it’s crucial to understand that this doesn’t mean we can say or share anything anywhere. We also need to respect others’ rights and adhere to acceptable behavioral norms. We are responsible for the content we share and should avoid spreading disinformation or false information, as well as sharing content that harms or harasses others.

Moderating social media and other online communities is also a significant responsibility. If you act as a moderator or administrator, you are responsible for the members of the community and the content posted. Ensuring that community rules are followed and taking action against harassment, hate speech, or unacceptable behavior is essential.

Online data protection is something we must also pay attention to. We should not share others’ personal data without their permission and should be cautious about phishing attempts or data theft. When using or sharing others’ content, always seek permission if necessary or cite the original source to respect others’ copyright.

Adhering to these rights and responsibilities can help create a safe and ethical online environment for both yourself and others. An informed and responsible online presence fosters the development of positive and respectful online communities that are enjoyable and secure for everyone.

Cyberattacks can take various forms, and the types are continuously evolving with changes in internet technologies and cybersecurity measures. Below, I will outline some common types of cyberattacks and methods for recognizing, mitigating, and preventing them.

One prevalent type of cyberattack is malware, which includes malicious software. These software programs can usually be identified using antivirus software and malware scanners. If you suspect their presence, immediately isolate the affected system from the network, remove the malware, and update the system to fix any security vulnerabilities. To prevent malware infections, it’s crucial to keep your operating system and software up to date and exercise caution when downloading from unknown sources.

Phishing is another common form of attack, where perpetrators use fake emails or websites to attempt to steal sensitive information. Recognizing suspicious emails and websites is essential, and one should never share sensitive data in response to requests from unknown sources. Educating yourself and your employees on how to recognize phishing attempts and employing email filters can help prevent these attacks.

Ransomware is another dangerous type of cyberattack, where attackers encrypt victims’ files and demand a ransom for decryption. If you detect ransomware, refrain from paying the ransom. Instead, isolate the affected systems from the network and attempt to restore data from backups. To prevent ransomware, regularly back up your data and keep your software updated.

Furthermore, Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks overload target servers or networks, rendering them unavailable. DDoS attacks can be thwarted using DDoS protection tools and load balancing, and for prevention, collaboration with your service provider in planning defense measures is crucial.

Lastly, network attacks can pose a threat, where attackers attempt to infiltrate a network or disrupt its operations. Monitoring unusual network activities and implementing robust network security measures can aid in recognizing and mitigating such attacks. To prevent network security breaches, regularly update network devices, passwords, and system configurations, and consider implementing firewalls and IDS/IPS systems. Information security is paramount, and prevention is the best defense. Continuously educate yourself and your staff, utilize security software and tools, and conduct regular security audits. Additionally, developing and adhering to corporate policies and practices is vital to prevent cyberattacks.

Charlie,

ntroduction

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as one of the most transformative technologies of our time, reshaping industries, revolutionizing problem-solving, and propelling society into a new era of innovation and efficiency. In this article, we will explore the fascinating world of AI, its current state, its various applications, and the ethical considerations that accompany this powerful technology.

The AI Revolution: A Brief Overview

Artificial Intelligence refers to the development of computer systems that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. This includes learning from experience, recognizing patterns, understanding natural language, and making informed decisions. The roots of AI can be traced back to the mid-20th century, but it is in recent years that AI has made significant strides, thanks to advancements in machine learning and deep learning.

Types of AI

AI can be broadly categorized into two main types:

1. Narrow or Weak AI: This form of AI is designed to perform specific tasks or solve particular problems. Examples include virtual personal assistants like Siri and Alexa, recommendation systems on platforms like Netflix, and self-driving cars.
2. General or Strong AI: General AI, often referred to as human-level AI, possesses human-like cognitive abilities. It can perform a wide range of tasks, learn from experience, and adapt to new situations. General AI remains a theoretical concept and is the subject of ongoing research and debate.

Applications of AI

AI is making inroads across various industries, revolutionizing the way we work and live. Some notable applications include:

1. Healthcare: AI is aiding in early disease diagnosis, drug discovery, and personalized treatment plans. Medical imaging, powered by AI, is improving the accuracy of diagnostics.
2. Finance: AI-driven algorithms are used for fraud detection, stock market prediction, and customer service chatbots, making financial services more efficient and secure.
3. Education: AI-powered educational tools are customizing learning experiences for students, identifying areas of improvement, and providing personalized recommendations.
4. Manufacturing: Automation through AI-driven robots and smart factories is enhancing productivity and reducing errors in manufacturing processes.
5. Agriculture: AI is helping farmers optimize crop management, predict weather patterns, and reduce resource wastage, contributing to sustainable agriculture.
6. Entertainment: AI-driven content recommendation algorithms are shaping our entertainment choices, while AI-generated content is gaining ground in music and art creation.

Challenges and Ethical Considerations

While AI holds immense potential, it also raises important ethical and societal questions:

1. Bias and Fairness: AI systems can inherit biases present in their training data, leading to discriminatory outcomes. Ensuring fairness and reducing bias in AI algorithms is a pressing concern.
2. Job Displacement: The automation of jobs through AI may lead to job displacement for certain industries, requiring measures for workforce adaptation and retraining.
3. Privacy Concerns: The collection and utilization of vast amounts of data by AI systems raise privacy concerns. Striking a balance between data utilization and privacy protection is essential.
4. Accountability: Determining liability and accountability for AI-generated decisions, especially in critical areas like healthcare and autonomous vehicles, is a legal challenge.
5. Security: The susceptibility of AI systems to hacking and manipulation poses security risks that need to be addressed.

Conclusion

Artificial Intelligence is ushering in a new era of technological progress and innovation. While its potential is immense, it also presents challenges that must be carefully navigated. As AI continues to evolve, the key lies in responsible development and ethical deployment, ensuring that AI benefits all of humanity while minimizing its potential risks. In this rapidly advancing field, it is essential for society to engage in ongoing dialogue and regulation to harness the full potential of AI for a brighter future.

Rahma Qader,

Internet freedom is a cornerstone of the digital age, offering several key benefits to individuals and society as a whole.

Access to Information: The internet has democratized access to information. It serves as an enormous repository of knowledge, offering unprecedented access to a vast array of resources. People can educate themselves, stay informed, and engage in intellectual pursuits like never before.

Communication: The internet has transformed the way we communicate. It enables real-time, global connections between people, businesses, and governments. This newfound connectivity fosters innovation, international cooperation, and cross-cultural understanding.

Freedom of Expression: Perhaps one of the most celebrated aspects of the internet is its role as a platform for free expression. Individuals can voice their opinions, create content, and participate in discussions on an almost infinite number of topics. This freedom has empowered individuals, promoted human rights, and exposed wrongdoing.

Internet Restrictions:

Despite its many virtues, the internet is not immune to restrictions and challenges that threaten its openness and accessibility.

Censorship: Governments and authorities in various countries have implemented online censorship to control the flow of information. This censorship often targets political dissent, sensitive cultural issues, or content that challenges the status quo. Such actions stifle free speech and limit the diversity of viewpoints accessible to citizens.

Blocking and Filtering: Some nations resort to technical measures like website blocking and content filtering. Entire websites, social media platforms, or specific content can be rendered inaccessible to citizens, thus curtailing their ability to explore a free and open internet.

Surveillance and Privacy Concerns: Government surveillance programs and data collection efforts have raised significant privacy concerns. Mass surveillance can deter people from expressing their views openly, out of fear of reprisal. This surveillance infringes on privacy rights and can have a chilling effect on free expression.

Legal and Regulatory Measures: Governments worldwide have passed laws and regulations that impact internet freedom. These measures can range from restrictions on encryption to data localization requirements. Online service providers may also be compelled to remove content deemed objectionable by authorities.

Net Neutrality: Net neutrality is the principle that all internet traffic should be treated equally, without discrimination or preference for certain services or content. Violations of net neutrality can result in a tiered internet, where some services or websites have an unfair advantage over others.

Charlie,

Introduction

In the 21st century, the world has witnessed an unprecedented transformation driven by the rapid advancement of technology. At the forefront of this transformation is digitalization, a process that involves the integration of digital technologies into various aspects of human life, from business and education to healthcare and entertainment. Digitalization is more than just the adoption of new tools; it represents a fundamental shift in the way we live, work, and interact. This article explores the concept of digitalization, its impact on different sectors, and the opportunities and challenges it presents.

Understanding Digitalization

Digitalization refers to the conversion of analog information into digital format, making it possible to store, manipulate, and transmit data electronically. This process involves the use of computers, software, and communication technologies to streamline and enhance various processes. Unlike digitization, which simply involves the conversion of information, digitalization involves the broader integration of digital technologies to create new value and efficiencies.

Key Aspects of Digitalization

1. Data Revolution: One of the most significant outcomes of digitalization is the explosion of data. Every digital interaction generates data, and businesses and institutions are harnessing this data to gain insights into consumer behavior, optimize operations, and drive innovation.
2. Automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI): Digitalization has led to the automation of many tasks and processes, freeing up human resources for more creative and strategic roles. AI technologies, including machine learning and neural networks, have enabled computers to perform tasks that once required human intelligence, such as language translation, image recognition, and even decision-making.
3. Connectivity and IoT: The Internet of Things (IoT) has enabled the interconnection of devices and systems, allowing them to share data and work together seamlessly. This interconnectedness has paved the way for smart homes, smart cities, and industrial applications that optimize resource usage and improve efficiency.
4. E-Commerce and Digital Services: Digitalization has revolutionized commerce by enabling online shopping and digital payment systems. Businesses can now reach a global audience without physical storefronts, and consumers can access products and services from the comfort of their homes.
5. Education and E-Learning: The digitalization of education has led to e-learning platforms, online courses, and digital resources that provide learners with flexible and personalized learning experiences.
6. Healthcare Transformation: Digital health technologies have improved patient care, diagnostics, and treatment. Electronic health records, telemedicine, and wearable devices are just a few examples of how digitalization has impacted the healthcare sector.

Impact on Various Sectors

1. Business: Digitalization has disrupted traditional business models, forcing companies to adapt or risk obsolescence. Data analytics and digital marketing have become essential tools for understanding customer preferences and staying competitive.
2. Workforce: Automation has transformed industries, with routine tasks being automated and new job roles emerging in fields like data science, AI development, and cybersecurity.
3. Society: The digital divide, which refers to the gap between those who have access to digital technologies and those who do not, has become a pressing issue. Bridging this gap is crucial to ensure equal access to opportunities and information.
4. Environment: While digitalization offers potential environmental benefits, such as energy efficiency through smart grids, it also contributes to electronic waste and energy consumption related to data centers.

Opportunities and Challenges

Opportunities:

1. Innovation: Digitalization opens the door to continuous innovation across industries, allowing for the development of new products, services, and solutions.
2. Efficiency: Automation and digital processes streamline operations, reducing costs and increasing efficiency.
3. Global Connectivity: Digitalization facilitates global communication and collaboration, transcending geographical boundaries.

Challenges:

1. Security and Privacy: The digitization of sensitive information raises concerns about data breaches, cyberattacks, and the protection of individual privacy.
2. Job Displacement: Automation could lead to job displacement in certain sectors, requiring a focus on reskilling and upskilling the workforce.
3. Digital Divide: Unequal access to technology can exacerbate social and economic inequalities.

Conclusion

Digitalization is an ongoing transformation that continues to reshape the world in profound ways. As society navigates this digital revolution, it’s important to harness the opportunities while addressing the challenges. By fostering inclusivity, investing in education, and prioritizing ethical considerations, we can ensure that digitalization benefits all of humanity and leads to a more connected, efficient, and innovative future.

Rahma Qader,

The proliferation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) raises significant concerns regarding data privacy, as AI systems typically use and process large amounts of data. Here you can read some important data privacy concerns that may arise:

• Protection of personal data: AI systems often utilize data containing personal information, such as names, addresses, birth dates, or identifiers. Safeguarding data and encrypting personal information are of prior importance to prevent abuses, data breaches, or infringements of privacy rights.

• Data security: Ensuring secure storage and transmission of data used by AI systems is essential. Protection against unauthorized access to data, phishing attacks, or other cybersecurity threats is crucial.

• Transparency and explainability of decisions: AI systems often make complex decisions, but their functioning and the basis of their decisions are not always transparent. This lack of transparency raises concerns among users and regulatory authorities. Data controllers and developers need to strive to provide explanations regarding the data underlying the decisions made by AI systems.

• Discrimination and bias: AI systems can exhibit biases towards certain groups or individuals if the system is trained on data containing discriminatory patterns. This can exacerbate social injustices and inequalities. Ensuring data diversity and eliminating discrimination in AI systems are important tasks.

• Use and sharing of data: Data collected for AI systems can be used for various purposes, raising concerns about unauthorized use or misuse of data. Users need to be aware of what data is being collected about them and how it is being utilized.

• Anonymity of personal data: AI systems are capable of linking and analyzing anonymous data to extract identifiable information. This raises questions about the anonymity of data, as seemingly anonymous data can still be re-identified.

Addressing these concerns requires robust data protection and security regulations, ethical guidelines, and compliance frameworks in the implementation of AI. Cooperation and transparency between regulatory authorities and technology companies can help strike a balance between development and data privacy. The opaqueness of AI systems’ functioning and decisions is a cause for concern among users, stakeholders, and regulatory authorities. Lack of transparency diminishes people’s trust in AI systems and poses challenges in determining accountability for system-related outcomes.

Transparency and explain-ability of decisions

AI systems often employ complex algorithms and machine learning methods to perform tasks. These algorithms are based on data previously presented to the system. AI systems learn from the data and adapt to make decisions or perform tasks. However, algorithms are typically complex and non-linear, making it difficult to precisely understand how they arrive at a particular answer or decision. This issue can be particularly critical when AI systems make important decisions that can impact people’s lives or rights. For example, AI systems can make decisions in job selection processes, court judgments, credit ratings, or insurance services. The individuals affected by such decisions have the right to know what data was used to make the decisions and what logic or algorithm led to the particular outcome. The lack of transparency not only poses challenges for the affected individuals but also for regulatory authorities and responsible technology companies. The lack of transparency makes it difficult to determine system accountability and identify abuses or illegal activities. Furthermore, transparency contributes to verifying the non-discriminatory nature of AI systems and correcting biases or distortions. To improve transparency and explain-ability of decisions, ongoing research and development are being conducted. For example, interpretable machine learning methods attempt to explain the algorithms’ decisions and the decision-making process. However, there are still many open questions in this field, and developers and regulators need to collaborate to promote transparency and explain-ability when using AI systems.

Charlie,

Dancing, henna, and blessing the saints.. What do you know about popular birthdays in Egypt?

Some may think that what the term “mawlid” reflects is the celebration of a person’s birthday as it appears at first glance from its lexical term, but the matter is not necessarily limited to that, as the main purpose of the moulid was to increase social cohesion by gathering people around a specific idea and place.

The Egyptians are famous for their distinctive and unique custom, which is holding popular birthdays on a regular basis to celebrate religious occasions, Islamic or Christian, whether holidays or the day of the birth or death of one of the righteous saints.

The history of Egypt, throughout its various eras, knew a number of religious ceremonies that melted into the fabric of society, and were associated with manifestations of special rituals that infiltrated the popular heritage in the culture of the Egyptians, and were associated with offering vows and offerings to certain religious symbols.

From the Pharaohs to the Fatimids

Many historical references and literary studies indicate that the popular celebrations of the birthdays of saints and saints are a historical extension of what the ancient Egyptians used to do in their celebrations of the birthdays of the pharaohs and gods, as one of its most important features was the reverence for the one who was celebrated.

Among the most important features that are considered inherited in birthdays from ancient times, and many of them are derived from the days of the Pharaohs, henna, dancing, blessing the saints, and lighting candles.

Throughout history, birthdays provided an opportunity for Egyptians of all levels and backgrounds to meet, and a place where city dwellers gather with village and rural residents of all sects and ages, to listen to chanting and supplication, and to celebrate and commemorate the birth.

With the entry of Islam into Egypt in the year 642 AD, the culture of religious celebrations became devoid of reverence for people, and was represented in specific religious occasions, such as the symbolic celebration of the month of Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. The situation continued in this case until the Fatimids took over the rule of Egypt and established their rule there in the year 969 AD, so they introduced the culture of popular and religious celebrations, among which was the celebration of God’s saints, “the birthdays”, and feasts that were held out of propaganda for the Fatimid state and its rulers.

The birthdays in Egypt are divided into more than one category, foremost of which are public religious events such as the birth of the Prophet of Islam Muhammad, may God bless him and grant him peace, the celebration of the first of the Hijri year, the night of the Isra’ and Mi’raj, the night of the middle of Sha’ban, the Virgin Mary, the martyr Margis, and Saint Demiana.

Then comes the birthdays of saints, such as “the birthday of Al-Hussein, Mrs. Zainab, and the birthdays of the founders and sheikhs of the Sufi orders.”

Thousands of births from the Delta to Upper Egypt

Some may think that what the term “mawlid” reflects is the celebration of a person’s birthday as it appears at first glance from its lexical expression, but its axis is related to the glorification of a religious figure and the commemoration of it, regardless of observing a specific calendar that accurately determines his birth.

The goal of the birthday is usually to promote belief in the person of the saint or saint, but the matter is not necessarily limited to that, as the main goal of the birthday was also to increase social cohesion by gathering people around a specific idea and place.

According to several studies, there is no specific number of birthdays in Egypt, while the Egyptian Association for Popular Traditions says that the number of Islamic and Christian birthdays is about 2,850, attended by about 40 million people annually.

The birthdays are spread in all the governorates of Egypt from the Delta to Upper Egypt, Cairo and Alexandria, and the Islamic and Christian birthdays are similar, as these birthdays spread in the cities, centers and villages of Egypt from all the governorates without exception.

shrines and processions

Whether the birthday is Christian or Islamic, there are almost constant rituals in the celebrations, which is visiting the shrine, walking in a large procession carrying the flags of the Sufi orders, or meeting priests and deacons in Christian processions.

As for the practices themselves that express the contents of the birthdays, they are evident in visits to shrines and evocation of songs and narrations that express the most important stations in the life of the saints, and some of the religious texts.

Islamic birthdays are distinguished by the dhikr circles, in which the devotees gather and form a circle or several circles behind each other, with the sheikh of the method or the leader of the dhikr circle in the middle, and shake their bodies, in a semi-circular movement, and chant the word “God” collectively.

Music is used in dhikr, and folk songs are recited, consisting of poetic pieces that are memorized through oral narration and sung to the accompaniment of music.

The births of Egyptian Christians were known in the Egyptian popular culture because they are closely linked to the stories of saints and martyrs among Christians who fell victim to campaigns of persecution in the era of Emperor Diocletian. Celebrations and prayers are held for them that honor their lives, sanctify them, and ask for intercession from them.

Rahma Qader,

Respecting copyright is extremely important from the perspective of digital literacy as it has an impact on the well-being of creators, content owners, and society as a whole. Adhering to copyright laws in the digital environment not only signifies a legal obligation but also entails upholding ethical principles.

For creators and content owners, respecting copyright enables them to earn income from their artistic work. It provides motivation for further creativity and the creation of new works, knowing that their work is protected by copyright. This fosters innovation and contributes to the development of the cultural economy.

Copyright protection also safeguards against the unauthorized use of creators’ intellectual products. In the digital environment, copying, distributing, and modifying content has become easier, making it crucial to respect the rights of creators and content owners and refrain from engaging in unlawful actions. Unauthorized use diminishes creators’ motivation and opportunities, and has a detrimental impact on the economic sustainability of content creation industries.

Respecting copyright promotes the availability of quality content and sources in the digital space. When creators and content owners are confident that their work is being respected, they are more willing to share their content and sources. This facilitates reliable information flow, creative expression, and the preservation of high-quality content in the digital environment.

Therefore, respecting copyright serves not only the interests of creators but also benefits society as a whole. Respect and commitment to copyright help sustain the economic viability of creative communities, promote cultural diversity, and encourage innovation in the digital environment.

In conclusion, respecting copyright is a fundamental element of digital literacy that contributes to supporting artists and creators, fostering innovation, protecting against unauthorized use, and promoting quality content in the digital environment. This awareness is crucial for everyone to operate responsibly and ethically in the digital society and contribute to the development of a sustainable digital culture.

Charlie,

In this article, we shall emphasize both the Turkish and Egyptian cultural heritages. The distinctions between them will be highlighted in next week’s article.

    Land of Turkey having hosted many civilizations, like Hattis, Troy, Hittites, Urartians, Lydians, Lycians, Pergamon, combines heritage roots of Europe and Asia. Turkey is, thus, noted by some researchers as being a “melting pot” of various cultures where classical culture was shaped. Turkey has a rich world heritage list. It contains seventeen WHS fifteen of which are cultural and two are mixed properties of both cultural and natural values. The number of these sites will probably increase because Turkish heritage inventory has not completed yet, as many valuable heritage sites are being discovered almost every day. Hence, to preserve this rich Turkish cultural heritage and to ensure its sustainability many efforts should be made. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism is the main body responsible for preparing and processing the WHS with some international assistance.

Turkey has some cases that are considered among the best practices for preserving cultural heritage. In 2012, UNESCO announced on its official website that Historic Areas of Istanbul as one of the best practices in terms of conservation, local community, boundaries, sustainable development tourism and interpretation as well as other different aspects (whc.unesco.org). On the other hand, Turkey has also some issues to resolve regarding CHM. One critique about CHM is that sites were identified, nominated, and inscribed to the World Heritage List with no meaningful consultation of local communities and other stakeholders. The cultural heritage sites in Turkey seem to suffer from significant challenges even after inscription to UNESCO list. These challenges result from mainly lack of professional management and misuse of lands which could be recognized in most of the other developing countries as well. UNESCO and Turkey are working together to create effective tools and stronger policies for the sustainable development of historic Additionally, Turkey has a distinctive blend of natural and cultural attraction as well as, legislative framework, which all require effective management. Conservation efforts have been undertaken with legislation that was strict but weakly enforced and ill-equipped with implementation tools, and a centralized administrative. There is an also shortage in the planning process as it does not include the conservation policies, and this makes a gap in the Turkish conservation system. Turkey has performed many actions to realize its main goal to implement heritage management policies in the context of the World Heritage Convention. In 2004, Turkish authorities adopted the state’s heritage conservation legislation to bring Turkey’s heritage management in line with international standards to protect all listed heritage sites in Turkey. Turkish local councils on the conservation of the cultural heritage are controlling and monitoring all alterations in cultural heritage sites such as excavation works, development projects, construction, and demolition. Mostly the museums hold the management of archaeological sites in Turkey. The General Directorate of Waqf is responsible for preserving many Islamic monuments. Furthermore, the fountains, city walls and water channels are managed by the municipalities. City councils also allocate a specific amount of their budget for improving the historical properties (ICOMOS Turkey). On the other hand, due to many heritage sites in Turkey, it becomes so critical for the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to carry out renovation and conservation plans at these sites (ICOMOS Turkey). Indeed, Turkey does not give any permission to the private sector to work at archaeological sites; it only gives the authority to the universities and museums to undertake all restoration missions and operations at these sites. Despite this fact, Turkey is working on the development of public and civil renovation projects to maintain the characteristic features of sites that have lost their original functions, through initiatives from academic research as well as practical applications (UNESCO, 2016). As the inventory of Turkish heritage properties is not finished yet, the demolition risk of unregistered heritage properties is also high (ICOMOS Turkey).

 Cultural Heritage Management in Egypt.

      Egypt is considered as one of the richest countries in the world regarding the number of heritage sites (Hang & Kong, 2008). Egypt’s Cultural Heritage has become more valuable because of its role in creating an image that is based on Pharaonic identity, while promoting the country as a tourism destination. It essentially depends on the unique and diversified blend of the cultural heritage sites such as, the pyramids, the temples in Luxor and Aswan, the mosques and churches in Cairo and many other treasures. Although Egypt is considered as an ideal case of a tourism destination which depends mainly on unique historical attractions, these attractions are facing many threats due to the urban development and tourism activities. Unfortunately, Egypt has difficulties in preserving its heritage (Hang & Kong, 2008; Cooper & Helmy, 2010). Cultural management practices of Egypt date back to the mid-19th century when the traditional approach was executed with little indication of a proper system. Egypt has started to improve the application of CHM system in their heritage sites relying on sustainability principles for a few decades. Egypt has faced severe social and political conditions since 2011 and many heritage sites were looted and destroyed due to the absence of a system for management and insufficient restoration and maintenance of cultural heritage sites. It is obvious that Egypt has serious problems at the cultural heritage landscape sites caused by the lack of comprehensive vision for management and conservation. The Supreme Council of Antiquities became the first responsible authority in Egypt – under the supervision of the Ministry of Culture – for the management and conservation of archeological sites. This Council has various responsibilities such as conservation and renewal work, research and scientific studies, the management and monitoring all the cultural heritage sites (Cooper & Helmy, 2010). However, there are other administrative organs and bodies concerned with cultural heritage and cultural landscapes in Egypt and they are working to assist the Supreme Council of Antiquities, each one in its fields. Many of the archaeological sites, including the WHS like Giza pyramids and Saqqarah, are suffering from the lack of an integrated program of site management. This inadequacy can cause negative impacts for the conservation of the monuments as well as the tourist experience. Besides, Egypt confronts difficulties to preserve these sites because of its unhealthy financial situation. The government can hardly allocate sufficient budget for these treasures’ upkeep (Hang & Kong, 2008). Therefore, many international associations are supporting numerous of heritage sites in Egypt financially, for restoration, conservation, and technical support. In the last five decades, a lot of attempts have been made to ameliorate the cultural heritage sites and their facilities. Accordingly, many changes have been undertaken in legislation framework and in the planning process. Despite all the efforts of authorities, many obstacles – such as economic, social, technical, and political problems- still stand which make the implementation a hard work (Abada, 2008). Generally, the governmental bodies in Egypt give more attention to the world cultural heritage sites in UNESCO list and they disregard other cultural heritage sites which are not registered in the list.

Rahma Qader,

• Password: This is a password manager application that helps in creating and storing strong, unique passwords for various online accounts. It helps prevent the use of easily hackable passwords or using the same password across multiple platforms.

• Signal: This is an encrypted messaging application that provides end-to-end encryption for chats and calls. This means that communication can only be read by the intended users, and no one else can access it.

• ProtonMail: This is an end-to-end encrypted email service that allows users to securely send and receive emails. The service essentially provides protection for data privacy and confidentiality.

• Tor Browser: The Tor browser helps in anonymous browsing on the internet, hiding your IP address and online activity traces. This allows you to be less traceable based on your browsing habits.

• DuckDuckGo: This is a privacy-focused search engine that does not track users’ search activities or store their data. It helps minimize your online profile and search history.

• ExpressVPN: This is a reliable Virtual Private Network (VPN) service that encrypts your internet connection and allows you to prevent your ISP or other third parties from tracking your online activities. It helps protect your internet traffic.

• LastPass: This is another popular password manager application that helps in generating and storing strong passwords. It supports multi-factor authentication and securely synchronizes data across different devices.

In addition to using these applications, it is important to follow general security practices, such as

1- Regularly update software and applications: The latest versions often include fixes and security updates that protect against vulnerabilities and attacks

2- Use strong and unique passwords: Use strong passwords for every online account, including lowercase and uppercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid using the same password across multiple platforms, and it’s important to use a different password for each account.

3- Enable multi-factor authentication: Multi-factor authentication (MFA) provides an extra layer of protection for your accounts. It usually requires an additional authentication method, such as a one-time code generated by your mobile app, in addition to the password.

4- Be cautious with online data sharing: Think carefully about the personal information you share online. Be cautious about the information you share on social media platforms, and be vigilant with links and files from unknown sources.

5- Check app permissions: When downloading an app, read the permissions it requests. If an app asks for excessive personal data access that is not necessary for its functionality, it may be suspicious.

6- Use ad blockers and browser extensions: AdBlocker applications help block ads and potentially malicious content. Additionally, browser extensions can provide additional privacy features and block online tracking.

7- These measures and applications can help protect people’s personal data in the online space. However, it’s important to stay informed about the latest data privacy trends and developments to ensure the best protection for yourself.


Charlie,