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In many places, marginalized communities do not have recourses in Internet communication technology, and it is difficult for human rights activists to get necessary information to people in need. However, the use of mobile phones in marginalized communities is high. Freedom Fone (sic) offers interactive audio software for cell phones, landlines, and Skype. The features include a poll service, a leave-a-message service, voice menus, and callback (available in version 1.0, and will be reintroduced in version 2.0)

 The poll service allows the users to participate in a poll by sending SMSs. The poll consists of the question, the SMS code to send with one of the possible answers listed, a start time, and an end time. The SMS code is not case sensitive.

 The leave-a-message service allows users to call in and leave a message that will become available to the public. This message could be a tip-off, or a report about something that urgently needs to be widespread. The administrator will listen to the message, edit it, rate it, and categorize it.

 Voice menus are customized by the administrator. There can be as many voice menus as the administrator wants, but only one can be active at a time. There is the option of having up to eight menu options for each voice menu.

 The call back function allows users to receive information audio content from Freedom Fone. To request a callback, the caller can either SMS “callback” to Freedom Fone, or select a designated number, let it ring once, then hang up.

 Freedom Fone is useful for the human rights community because it reaches an audience that may not have access to common forms of communication technology. In a PowerPoint presentation I found at www.freedomfone.org, there is a list of possible scenerios in which Freedom Fone would be particularly useful.

• Epidemics and emergency relief
• Elections
• Minority languages
• Special interest groups
• Diasporan communities
• Agricultural extension
• Community radio support