CYBERSECURITY
Cybersecurity attacks are redefining geopolitics and the nature of contemporary warfare. Human rights defenders, journalists, and humanitarian actors are facing unprecedented digital threats, with deep impacts on democratic processes and the safety of marginalized communities. We challenge governments and businesses engaging in global cybersecurity activities to shift their focus from state control and securitization of the internet toward protection of individual rights and the safety of people and communities at risk.
Four strategies to defend encryption and our human rights
When we fight for encryption, we fight for human rights. It enables us to stay safe online, and communicate privately and freely. Yet governments keep pushing to undermine it, and Apple’s plan to bypass encryption is an alarming sign of private sector capitulation to this pressure.
Resources
Cybersecurity
To keep us safe, global cybersecurity norms must be human-centered and protect rights
At the United Nations OEWG meetings, we highlighted the increase in cyber attacks for surveillance and the global epidemic of internet shutdowns, both of which threaten the ability to use the internet securely.
Cybersecurity
Why Latin America should protect, not persecute, information security researchers
Information security researchers help keep people safe online, yet they are being persecuted in Latin America when they should be protected.
Digital Security
Who we hurt when we attack encryption
Encryption is a vital tool for keeping human rights defenders safe from powerful adversaries. Case studies from Access Now’s Digital Security Helpline show how strong encryption makes the world safer for everyone.
Cybersecurity
Cyberattacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure and civil society violate human rights
Following cyberattacks on Ukraine and its human rights defenders, we call on the international community to help protect people.
Cybersecurity
From crisis to conflict, we must defend digital rights when people need them most
People feel restrictions on digital rights most intensely in situations of crisis, conflict, or disaster. Here’s how we are safeguarding people’s digital rights in times of both war and peace.
Cybersecurity
Analysis: the Myanmar junta’s Cybersecurity Law would be a disaster for human rights
The Myanmar junta’s efforts to achieve ultimate control over civic space is continuing — through a devastating draft Cybersecurity Law.
Digital Security
Encrypt all the messages — across all the platforms
Elon Musk’s planned Twitter buyout is spurring new calls for end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for messaging. Here’s why it’s both desirable and feasible to make E2EE messaging interoperable across major communications platforms, as the E.U. Digital Markets Act envisions.
Latest Updates
From crisis to conflict, we must defend digital rights when people need them most
People feel restrictions on digital rights most intensely in situations of crisis, conflict, or disaster. Here’s how we are safeguarding people’s digital rights in times of both war and peace.
Hacking in a war zone: Pegasus spyware in the Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict
A joint investigation by civil society and independent researchers has uncovered hacking of Armenia spyware victims with NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware.
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.
Media briefing: proposed UN cybercrime treaty negotiations sidestepping human rights protections and threatening free expression
Access Now and partners are hosting a media briefing on the grave threat to human rights posed by ongoing UN cybercrime treaty negotiations.
Submission on the Revised Draft Industry Codes, under the Online Safety Act
Access Now’s submission on the revised Draft Industry Codes under the Online Safety Act.
New U.S. Cybersecurity Strategy: a strong step forward, with room for improvement
Access Now commends the U.S.’s National Cybersecurity Strategy that centers “respect for human rights,” but it still falls short on collaboration with stakeholders abroad.
Whistleblower Leaks Documents And Software Of Israeli Surveillance Tech Company Cellebrite
Citizens do not know they are “monitored” by the Russian SORM system
Citizens do not know they are “monitored” by the Russian SORM system
European Commission Approves Telco Ad Platform Plan
What encryption is, and why Kenyans should keep using it
In this blog, we examine what end-to-end encryption is, how it works, and why Kenyans should keep using it.
UN roundup and delegate guide: digital rights at the United Nations
Our new brief tracks progress on digital rights at the UN, providing recommendations for advancing international norms and standards to safeguard human rights online.
CERT-In rules: Data privacy and security not mutually exclusive
Indian CERT’s Directions will weaken cybersecurity and privacy: experts call for deferral and public consultation
Access Now supports cybersecurity experts from around the world in calling on India’s CERT-In to defer implementation of the new April Directions.
India’s CERT-In must withdraw April Directions and strengthen privacy and cybersecurity
Access Now and a coalition of organisations and individuals are urging India’s CERT-In to withdraw the April Directions.
Meta, Alphabet, and Amazon: A shareholder’s guide to supporting human rights
We urge Meta, Alphabet, and Amazon shareholders to support greater accountability for the companies’ human rights impacts.