Amnesty International`s `Twignature` spreads its roots globally

Sydney: A technology adopted by international NGO Amnesty International, which allows Twitter users to add their digital signature to online petitions simply by re-tweeting a message, has gone global.

The technology, termed as `Twignature`, may be the latest tool for ` slacktivists`-people who sign internet petitions without joining the concerned organisation or contributing to its efforts-or an evolution of advocacy for the digital age, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. According to David Klein, executive creative director of BMF Melbourne, which developed the Twignature, Amnesty can now capitalise on any topical human rights issues as soon as they arise with the help of the technology. Defending `slactivism` which has often been derided as lazy, Klein said that most people do not need to chain themselves to a tree to show their passion about a cause, adding that re-tweeting, hashtagging and YouTubing were about creating awareness and influencing opinions about an issue. Klein further said that Twignature gives a platform for those people who believe that their voice be heard and that their voice can make change. The technology is powering the Amnesty campaign that is urging US President Barack Obama to tighten restrictions on the global arms trade, the report added. ANI