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
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.
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: a guide for responsible business conduct
This guide is meant to help tech companies think through the impacts of their decisions in the context of conflict.
Digital rights win: U.S. to amend internet exemptions for sanctions programs
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.
Resurging internet shutdowns in 2022: weapons of control, shields of impunity
Empty promises? Declaration for Future of the Internet is nice on paper
The Declaration for the Future of the Internet makes a lot of big promises — Will States follow through on their commitments?
Why internet shutdowns are even worse for women
As we mark International Women’s Day, we share what women around the world say about their experiences with internet shutdowns.
Open letter to the EU: protect people affected by Russia’s attack on Ukraine
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.
U.S. President Biden signs into law $65 billion for more accessible and affordable internet
Today, President Biden signed the bipartisan infrastructure bill into law, which includes $65 billion to close the digital divide.
Will the Right to Protest survive its migration online?
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?
Mexican Federal Institute of Communications approves guidelines jeopardizing net neutrality
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.
Phone contracts should not bind survivors to abusers — SAFE Connections Act needed now
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.
Civil society to FCC: make emergency broadband benefit easily accessible
Access Now and Free Press filed comments with the Federal Communications Commission urging strong and rapid implementation of the Emergency Broadband Benefit program.
Can human rights survive the digital age? Only if we do these things
“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.
#KeepItOn: Joint letter to ETECSA calling on the telecom service provider in Cuba to be transparent about Telegram
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.
More than 3.5 billion left in the dark: why we’re still fighting to reach U.N. targets for internet access
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.
Où et comment les gouvernements bloquent-ils internet?
Civil society calls on telcos to keep demonstrators connected during U.S. election
Access Now and public interest partners urge wireless providers to ensure adequate wireless capacity during the November U.S. election.