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.
Encryption FAQ: encrypted messaging, AI, content moderation, and more
What is encryption and how does it work? Why is strong, end-to-end encryption (E2EE) vital for safeguarding people’s privacy and other human rights? And how are real people hurt when governments or companies undermine encryption? Read more in our FAQ.
Resources
Cybersecurity
How U.S. funding cuts expose civil society to digital attacks
Amid a global decline in democracy and congruent rise in autocratic regimes, activists, journalists, and human rights defenders are facing mounting threats to their work defending human rights and freedoms.
Cybersecurity
When “cybercrime” laws infringe human rights: lessons from the Arab region
Governments across the Arab region already use cybercrime laws to violate human rights, and the UN cybercrime convention risks making this even easier.
Artificial Intelligence
Cyber accountability in East Asia: human rights are key for cybersecurity
China’s digital and cyber policies hurt human rights and undermine cybersecurity globally. Access Now’s Brett Solomon explores how the international community can respond.
Cybersecurity
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 companies are caving in. Here are four ways encryption advocates can push back.
Cybersecurity
UN Cybercrime Convention: FAQ on necessary reforms
What is the UN cybercrime convention, what’s wrong with its current draft, and how can you engage with it? Read our FAQ to know.
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.
Cybersecurity
UN Global Digital Compact: FAQ
What is the UN Global Digital Compact, why does it matter for the future of digital rights, and what are its human rights implications? Read our FAQ to know.
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.
Latest Updates
Rights group calls on Thai government to end alleged cyberattacks against civil society
How U.S. funding cuts expose civil society to digital attacks
Oral statement at 10th Session of the UN Open Ended Working Group on ICTs
Access Now’s oral statement at the 10th Session of the UN Open Ended Working Group on information and communication technology.
Oral statement at the Informal Meeting of the UNGA Third Committee
Access Now’s oral statement at the Informal Meeting of the UN General Assembly Third Committee on February 6, 2025.
Privacy under attack: Egypt must reform its draft Criminal Procedure Code
Authorities in Egypt must reject the proposed draft Criminal Procedure Code and develop a new code that aligns with international human rights standards.
انتهاك الخصوصية.. على مصر تعديل مشروع قانون الإجراءات الجنائية
تحث المنظمات الموقعة الحكومة المصرية على ضمان امتثال مشروع قانون الإجراءات الجنائية المقترح مؤخرا لالتزاماتها الدولية في مجال حقوق الإنسان.
Ceasefire in Gaza: it’s time to end digital harms and deliver justice
As physical violence appears to be coming to a halt after 15 months in Gaza, Access Now further calls for a digital ceasefire.
Telecom rules and metadata: how much data do telecom companies collect about users based on internet activity?
Junta’s draconian cybersecurity law targets online critics
Judge grants ruling in favor of WhatsApp against spyware firm NSO Group
အင်တာနက်လွတ်လပ်ခွင့်ကို ပိုခြိမ်းခြောက်လာတဲ့ ဆိုက်ဘာလုံခြုံရေးဥပဒေ
Myanmar military junta enacts repressive new Cybersecurity Bill
UN General Assembly approves cybercrime treaty despite industry backlash
Joint statement: civil society concerns and priorities for Global Digital Compact implementation
India’s new cyber rules for telecoms come with big privacy risks, experts say
When “cybercrime” laws infringe human rights: lessons from the Arab region
Governments across the Arab region already use cybercrime laws to violate human rights, and the UN cybercrime convention risks making this even easier.