Cybersecurity

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

UNHRC_Eric Bridiers|

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.

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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.

EU Ukraine

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.

مؤتمر المناخ كوب 28

Surveillance

Las personas migrantes en Latinoamérica están siendo vigiladas por sus gobiernos

Las personas migrantes en Latinoamérica están siendo vigiladas. Sus datos personales son recolectados y procesados sin que existan las regulaciones correspondientes que garanticen un nivel de protección adecuado, sumado a

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.

Telegram vs Russia

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

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
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
Global encryption day 2023
Privacy
Privacy

Joint letter: the Australian government must incorporate safeguards for encryption in the online safety codes

21 Oct 2023

The Australian government must incorporate safeguards for end-to-end encryption in the online safety codes.

Press Release
Joint letter: the Australian government must incorporate safeguards for encryption in the online safety codes
21 Oct 2023
Joint letter: the Australian government must incorporate safeguards for encryption in the online safety codes
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
Palestine Israel Digital Ceasefire; Gaza’s internet
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of Expression

Physical and digital ceasefire in Gaza: UN, governments, Big Tech must act

20 Oct 2023

Governments, international institutions, tech companies, and other stakeholders must ensure a physical and digital ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

Press Release
Physical and digital ceasefire in Gaza: UN, governments, Big Tech must act
20 Oct 2023
Physical and digital ceasefire in Gaza: UN, governments, Big Tech must act
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
spyware
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity

Spyware in Europe: EU urged to protect journalists from intrusive surveillance

28 Sep 2023
News
Spyware in Europe: EU urged to protect journalists from intrusive surveillance
The Brussels Times ↗
28 Sep 2023
Spyware in Europe: EU urged to protect journalists from intrusive surveillance
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of Expression

Where to find Access Now at FIFAfrica 2023

20 Sep 2023
Post
Where to find Access Now at FIFAfrica 2023
20 Sep 2023
Where to find Access Now at FIFAfrica 2023
Hacking Meduza: Pegasus spyware used to target Putin’s critic
Surveillance
Surveillance

Hacking Meduza: Pegasus spyware used to target Putin’s critic

13 Sep 2023

The publisher of Russian independent media org Meduza was hacked with NSO’s Pegasus spyware. As both Russia and Latvia are potential culprits, Access Now demands accountability and sanctions.

Publication
Hacking Meduza: Pegasus spyware used to target Putin’s critic
13 Sep 2023
Hacking Meduza: Pegasus spyware used to target Putin’s critic
ヨルダン国王への公開書簡
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity

Russia is commandeering the U.N.’s cybercrime treaty

31 Aug 2023
News
Russia is commandeering the U.N.’s cybercrime treaty
Foreign Policy ↗
31 Aug 2023
Russia is commandeering the U.N.’s cybercrime treaty
Transparency
Transparency

An open letter to the RightsCon community about RightsCon Costa Rica and what comes next

31 Aug 2023

We explain the challenges and exclusion some participants faced, apologize and take accountability for our role, and share thoughts on the road ahead.

Post
An open letter to the RightsCon community about RightsCon Costa Rica and what comes next
31 Aug 2023
An open letter to the RightsCon community about RightsCon Costa Rica and what comes next
ヨルダン国王への公開書簡
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity

Microsoft joins opposition to current version of UN cybercrime treaty

30 Aug 2023
News
Microsoft joins opposition to current version of UN cybercrime treaty
The Record ↗
30 Aug 2023
Microsoft joins opposition to current version of UN cybercrime treaty
Digital rights
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity

Oral Statement – UN Ad Hoc Committee on Cybercrime 6th Session (NY) Arts 6-10, 36

29 Aug 2023
Publication
Oral Statement – UN Ad Hoc Committee on Cybercrime 6th Session (NY) Arts 6-10, 36
29 Aug 2023
Oral Statement – UN Ad Hoc Committee on Cybercrime 6th Session (NY) Arts 6-10, 36
ヨルダン国王への公開書簡
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity

Global cybercrime treaty could be ‘disastrous for human rights,’ NGOs warn

28 Aug 2023
News
Global cybercrime treaty could be ‘disastrous for human rights,’ NGOs warn
The Record ↗
28 Aug 2023
Global cybercrime treaty could be ‘disastrous for human rights,’ NGOs warn