Connectivity

Equitable Internet Access For All

Today, affordable and meaningful access to the internet is an essential enabler of human rights. We advocate for policies and technologies to support equitable access to a free, open, and secure internet, and capacity-building to enable marginalized people and communities to make the most of it.

More than 3.5 billion left in the dark: why we’re still fighting to reach U.N. targets for internet access

Imagine the world coming together to envision, plan, and commit to creating a better future — for everyone, everywhere.

Resources

internet shutdown #KeepItOn

Freedom of Expression

Tunisia: Access to online conferencing platforms and networks is a constitutional right

Access Now joins civil society organizations in calling for safe and open access to online conferencing platforms in Tunisia.

Freedom of Expression

Victory! U.S. Senate passes infrastructure bill, critical to get people online

Access Now applauds the U.S. Senate for passing an infrastructure bill that would help get people online.

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Freedom of Expression

What the tech sector can do to respect human rights in Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, and beyond

As the Russia-Ukraine crisis escalates to war, the tech sector must do more than merely comply with sanctions. Here are our recommendations for mitigating human rights harms. 

Latest Updates

Tech and conflict
Transparency
Transparency

Tech and conflict: a guide for responsible business conduct

18 May 2023

This guide is meant to help tech companies think through the impacts of their decisions in the context of conflict.

Guide
Tech and conflict: a guide for responsible business conduct
18 May 2023
Tech and conflict: a guide for responsible business conduct
internet gateway
Connectivity
Connectivity

Digital rights win: U.S. to amend internet exemptions for sanctions programs

5 Apr 2023

The U.S. is amending internet communications general licenses to ensure sanctions regimes do not negatively impact people’s ability to access the internet in targeted countries.

Press Release
Digital rights win: U.S. to amend internet exemptions for sanctions programs
5 Apr 2023
Digital rights win: U.S. to amend internet exemptions for sanctions programs
Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition's report unpacks internet shutdowns in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and globally.
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Resurging internet shutdowns in 2022: weapons of control, shields of impunity

28 Feb 2023
Press Release
Resurging internet shutdowns in 2022: weapons of control, shields of impunity
28 Feb 2023
Resurging internet shutdowns in 2022: weapons of control, shields of impunity
Connectivity
Connectivity

Empty promises? Declaration for Future of the Internet is nice on paper

28 Apr 2022

The Declaration for the Future of the Internet makes a lot of big promises — Will States follow through on their commitments?

Press Release
Empty promises? Declaration for Future of the Internet is nice on paper
28 Apr 2022
Empty promises? Declaration for Future of the Internet is nice on paper
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Why internet shutdowns are even worse for women

8 Mar 2022

As we mark International Women’s Day, we share what women around the world say about their experiences with internet shutdowns.

Post
Why internet shutdowns are even worse for women
8 Mar 2022
Why internet shutdowns are even worse for women
EU Ukraine
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of Expression

Open letter to the EU: protect people affected by Russia’s attack on Ukraine

2 Mar 2022

In a letter to the EU, Access Now provides recommendations related to tech platforms and telecoms operators in the context of the war in Ukraine.

Press Release
Open letter to the EU: protect people affected by Russia’s attack on Ukraine
2 Mar 2022
Open letter to the EU: protect people affected by Russia’s attack on Ukraine
internet gateway
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of Expression

U.S. President Biden signs into law $65 billion for more accessible and affordable internet

1 Mar 2022

Today, President Biden signed the bipartisan infrastructure bill into law, which includes $65 billion to close the digital divide.

Press Release
U.S. President Biden signs into law $65 billion for more accessible and affordable internet
1 Mar 2022
U.S. President Biden signs into law $65 billion for more accessible and affordable internet
Tunisia protest
Content Governance
Content Governance

Will the Right to Protest survive its migration online?

20 Oct 2021

State-sanctioned internet shutdowns, increased surveillance, and unequal access to the internet are impacting communities globally. Will the Right to Protest survive its migration online?

Post
Will the Right to Protest survive its migration online?
20 Oct 2021
Will the Right to Protest survive its migration online?
Net Neutrality
Net Neutrality

Mexican Federal Institute of Communications approves guidelines jeopardizing net neutrality

12 Jul 2021

Ignoring the warnings of civil society, the Mexican Federal Institute of Communications (IFT) has approved an internet traffic management regulation that threatens net neutrality for millions.

Press Release
Mexican Federal Institute of Communications approves guidelines jeopardizing net neutrality
12 Jul 2021
Mexican Federal Institute of Communications approves guidelines jeopardizing net neutrality
Digital Security
Digital Security

Phone contracts should not bind survivors to abusers — SAFE Connections Act needed now

28 Apr 2021

Access Now strongly endorses the SAFE Connections Act, to be considered in the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee today. The legislation would make it easier for survivors of domestic violence to separate from shared phone plans that include their abuser.

Press Release
Phone contracts should not bind survivors to abusers — SAFE Connections Act needed now
28 Apr 2021
Phone contracts should not bind survivors to abusers — SAFE Connections Act needed now
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of Expression

Civil society to FCC: make emergency broadband benefit easily accessible

25 Jan 2021

Access Now and Free Press filed comments with the Federal Communications Commission urging strong and rapid implementation of the Emergency Broadband Benefit program.

Press Release
Civil society to FCC: make emergency broadband benefit easily accessible
25 Jan 2021
Civil society to FCC: make emergency broadband benefit easily accessible
India fake news
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of Expression

Can human rights survive the digital age? Only if we do these things

10 Dec 2020

“We’re at a human rights tipping point.” On Human Rights Day of 2020, Access Now’s Brett Solomon maps out a pathway to take us to a full implementation and vindication of these rights, not just in principle, but in policy and practice.

Post
Can human rights survive the digital age? Only if we do these things
10 Dec 2020
Can human rights survive the digital age? Only if we do these things
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Freedom of Expression
Freedom of Expression

#KeepItOn: Joint letter to ETECSA calling on the telecom service provider in Cuba to be transparent about Telegram

5 Nov 2020

There have been numerous reports that Telegram is not working in Cuba. Many users have pointed out that they have not been able to access the application since October 14, 2020.

Press Release
#KeepItOn: Joint letter to ETECSA calling on the telecom service provider in Cuba to be transparent about Telegram
5 Nov 2020
#KeepItOn: Joint letter to ETECSA calling on the telecom service provider in Cuba to be transparent about Telegram
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Freedom of Expression
Freedom of Expression

More than 3.5 billion left in the dark: why we’re still fighting to reach U.N. targets for internet access

5 Nov 2020

If we don’t reach U.N. targets for internet access — providing everyone, everywhere with affordable, open, secure, and high-quality connectivity — we won’t meet the sustainable development goals by 2030.  

Post
More than 3.5 billion left in the dark: why we’re still fighting to reach U.N. targets for internet access
5 Nov 2020
More than 3.5 billion left in the dark: why we’re still fighting to reach U.N. targets for internet access
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of Expression

Où et comment les gouvernements bloquent-ils internet?

4 Nov 2020
News
Où et comment les gouvernements bloquent-ils internet?
4 Nov 2020
Où et comment les gouvernements bloquent-ils internet?
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Freedom of Expression
Freedom of Expression

Civil society calls on telcos to keep demonstrators connected during U.S. election

21 Oct 2020

Access Now and public interest partners urge wireless providers to ensure adequate wireless capacity during the November U.S. election.

Press Release
Civil society calls on telcos to keep demonstrators connected during U.S. election
21 Oct 2020
Civil society calls on telcos to keep demonstrators connected during U.S. election