Digital Security

STAYING SAFE AND SECURE ONLINE

We work to ensure human right defenders and others facing digital security threats have the resources they need to protect themselves and their communities.

Digital Security Helpline

The Digital Security Helpline is a free of charge resource for civil society around the world. We offer real-time, direct technical assistance and advice to activists, independent media, and civil society organizations.…

Resources

International Women's Day

Content Governance

What is doxxing, and how does it endanger women?

This International Women’s Day, we’re telling platforms like Telegram, Twitch, and Meta to take women’s safety seriously.

000 cases|Social thumbnail: Helpline hits 10

Digital Security

Strengthening civil society’s defenses: what Access Now’s Digital Security Helpline has learned from its first 10,000 cases

Online civic space is under attack, and Access Now’s Digital Security Helpline is a lifeline that crosses time zones and languages to support at-risk groups and individuals from civil society. The 24/7 computer security incident response team has now assisted on more than 10,000 cases affecting activists, journalists, and non-profit organizations. “Strengthening civil society’s defenses: what Access Now’s Digital Security Helpline” shares what we have learned from the first 10,000 cases, identifying key trends, exploring case studies, and offering insight from data on requests for assistance from across the globe.

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Digital Security

Don’t panic! Download “A First Look at Digital Security”

It’s a time of transition. Our user-friendly booklet can help you stay calm and focused.

Latest Updates

spyware
Surveillance
Surveillance

Spyware in Serbia: civil society under attack

28 Nov 2023

Access Now and our partners have discovered that civil society in Serbia have been targeted with invasive spyware technology. Here’s what we know.

Post
Spyware in Serbia: civil society under attack
28 Nov 2023
Spyware in Serbia: civil society under attack
Palestine Israel Digital Ceasefire; Gaza’s internet
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

فلسطين خارج التغطية: كيف تقطع إسرائيل الإنترنت عن غزة

24 Nov 2023

يقدّم هذا التقرير دراسة لحالة الإنترنت في قطاع غزة طوال شهر أكتوبر 2023 من خلال تحليلٍ حركة الإنترنت حسب مزوّدي خدمات الإنترنت في مختلف مواقع القطاع.

Publication
فلسطين خارج التغطية: كيف تقطع إسرائيل الإنترنت عن غزة
24 Nov 2023
فلسطين خارج التغطية: كيف تقطع إسرائيل الإنترنت عن غزة
Press under Attack – Digital Strategies to Intimidate Journalists in Latin America
Digital Security
Digital Security

Claims that NSO’s Pegasus spyware helps Israel find hostages are ‘nonsense,’ experts say

22 Nov 2023
News
Claims that NSO’s Pegasus spyware helps Israel find hostages are ‘nonsense,’ experts say
Fast Company ↗
22 Nov 2023
Claims that NSO’s Pegasus spyware helps Israel find hostages are ‘nonsense,’ experts say
human impact of internet shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

#KeepItOn in conflict: the human impact of internet shutdowns in Amhara region, Ethiopia

22 Nov 2023

This 11 stories from Ethiopian people tells the human impact of internet shutdowns in the Amhara region of Ethiopia in the past 100+ days.

Post
#KeepItOn in conflict: the human impact of internet shutdowns in Amhara region, Ethiopia
22 Nov 2023
#KeepItOn in conflict: the human impact of internet shutdowns in Amhara region, Ethiopia
Palestine Israel Digital Ceasefire; Gaza’s internet
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Palestine unplugged: how Israel disrupts Gaza’s internet

10 Nov 2023

This report illustrates the state of Gaza’s internet throughout October 2023 by looking at internet traffic by ISPs and locations.

Publication
Palestine unplugged: how Israel disrupts Gaza’s internet
10 Nov 2023
Palestine unplugged: how Israel disrupts Gaza’s internet
Apple threat notifications
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity

FAQ: Access Now’s Digital Security Helpline and Apple threat notifications

3 Nov 2023

Access Now’s knowledge about ongoing Apple threat notifications sent to people who may have been targeted by state-sponsored spyware attacks

Post
FAQ: Access Now’s Digital Security Helpline and Apple threat notifications
3 Nov 2023
FAQ: Access Now’s Digital Security Helpline and Apple threat notifications
How to stay safe online in the context of conflict in Gaza
Digital Security
Digital Security

Cómo protegerse en línea en el contexto del conflicto en Gaza  

26 Oct 2023

La presente guía de consejos sobre resiliencia digital elaborada por Access Now y SMEX fue diseñada para brindarles apoyo contra las amenazas denunciadas.

Guide
Cómo protegerse en línea en el contexto del conflicto en Gaza  
26 Oct 2023
Cómo protegerse en línea en el contexto del conflicto en Gaza  
How to stay safe online in the context of conflict in Gaza
Digital Security
Digital Security

Staying safe online in the context of conflict in Gaza  

24 Oct 2023

This digital resilience tipsheet compiled by Access Now and SMEX is designed to support you in defending against reported threats.

Guide
Staying safe online in the context of conflict in Gaza  
24 Oct 2023
Staying safe online in the context of conflict in Gaza  
Palestine Israel Digital Ceasefire; Gaza’s internet
Protest and Online Organizing
Protest and Online Organizing

دعوة مفتوحة من منظمات حقوق الإنسان لوقف فوري لإطلاق النار على الأرض ورقمياً في غزة، وبحق  الفلسطينيين/ات حول العالم

23 Oct 2023

نحن، مجموعة من مؤسسات المجتمع المدني ومنظمات حقوق الإنسان الرقمية، ننضم إلى الدعوة المفتوحة للوقف الفوري لإطلاق النار في غزة.

Press Release
دعوة مفتوحة من منظمات حقوق الإنسان لوقف فوري لإطلاق النار على الأرض ورقمياً في غزة، وبحق  الفلسطينيين/ات حول العالم
23 Oct 2023
دعوة مفتوحة من منظمات حقوق الإنسان لوقف فوري لإطلاق النار على الأرض ورقمياً في غزة، وبحق  الفلسطينيين/ات حول العالم
Palestine Israel Digital Ceasefire; Gaza’s internet
Protest and Online Organizing
Protest and Online Organizing

Organizaciones de derechos humanos se unen al llamado abierto al cese al fuego en Gaza y el respeto por los derechos digitales del pueblo palestino en todo el mundo

20 Oct 2023

We call on international actors to support an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, along with a “digital ceasefire” to protect Palestinians in online spaces globally.

Press Release
Organizaciones de derechos humanos se unen al llamado abierto al cese al fuego en Gaza y el respeto por los derechos digitales del pueblo palestino en todo el mundo
20 Oct 2023
Organizaciones de derechos humanos se unen al llamado abierto al cese al fuego en Gaza y el respeto por los derechos digitales del pueblo palestino en todo el mundo
Palestine Israel Digital Ceasefire; Gaza’s internet
Protest and Online Organizing
Protest and Online Organizing

Human rights organizations join the open call for an immediate physical and digital ceasefire in Gaza, and for Palestinians globally

20 Oct 2023

We call on international actors to support an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, along with a “digital ceasefire” to protect Palestinians in online spaces globally.

Press Release
Human rights organizations join the open call for an immediate physical and digital ceasefire in Gaza, and for Palestinians globally
20 Oct 2023
Human rights organizations join the open call for an immediate physical and digital ceasefire in Gaza, and for Palestinians globally
Bodily harms: how AI and biometrics curtail human rights
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence

Bodily harms: how AI and biometrics curtail human rights

16 Oct 2023

Biometric technologies are becoming increasingly interwoven into our everyday lives. A new Access Now report explores how AI is driving the adoption of ableist technologies that marginalize anyone who doesn’t fit into their definition of a “normal” body.

Post
Bodily harms: how AI and biometrics curtail human rights
16 Oct 2023
Bodily harms: how AI and biometrics curtail human rights
Bodily harms: how AI and biometrics curtail human rights
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence

Bodily harms: mapping the risks of emerging biometric tech

16 Oct 2023

Access Now’s paper on how biometric technologies are becoming increasingly interwoven into our everyday lives, and how AI is driving the adoption of ableist technologies that marginalize anyone who doesn’t fit into their definition of a “normal” body.

Publication
Bodily harms: mapping the risks of emerging biometric tech
16 Oct 2023
Bodily harms: mapping the risks of emerging biometric tech
Digital Identity Toolkit
Digital Identity Systems
Digital Identity Systems

The digital identity toolkit

8 Oct 2023

Developed by Access Now, this toolkit helps build the lexicon and framework around digital ID issues to facilitate a human rights approach.

Guide
The digital identity toolkit
8 Oct 2023
The digital identity toolkit
Rightscon Korea
Transparency
Transparency

We’re headed to South Korea: the when, where, and why of our next convening

6 Oct 2023

We’re excited to announce that the 13th edition of the RightsCon Summit Series will be held in South Korea and online in February 2025!

Post
We’re headed to South Korea: the when, where, and why of our next convening
6 Oct 2023
We’re headed to South Korea: the when, where, and why of our next convening
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity

Cambodia: Ministries should withdraw draft cybersecurity law which would threaten human rights and expose people to increased cyber threats

2 Oct 2023

The draft Cybersecurity Law of Cambodia must be withdrawn because vague provisions undermine human rights and exposes people to increased cyber threats.

Press Release
Cambodia: Ministries should withdraw draft cybersecurity law which would threaten human rights and expose people to increased cyber threats
2 Oct 2023
Cambodia: Ministries should withdraw draft cybersecurity law which would threaten human rights and expose people to increased cyber threats