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.

Cybersecurity

Where to find Access Now at FIFAfrica 2023

The 2023 Forum on Internet Freedom in Africa (FIFAfrica) will be held in-person in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania from 27 to 29 September.  In previous years, Tanzania, similar to its

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

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
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
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
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity

Cybercrime law slams free speech as criminal content

25 Aug 2023
News
Cybercrime law slams free speech as criminal content
Deutsche Welle ↗
25 Aug 2023
Cybercrime law slams free speech as criminal content
Digital rights
Content Governance
Content Governance

United Nations Ad Hoc Committee to Elaborate a Comprehensive International Convention on Countering the Use of ICTs for Criminal Purposes 

24 Aug 2023
Publication
United Nations Ad Hoc Committee to Elaborate a Comprehensive International Convention on Countering the Use of ICTs for Criminal Purposes 
24 Aug 2023
United Nations Ad Hoc Committee to Elaborate a Comprehensive International Convention on Countering the Use of ICTs for Criminal Purposes 
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity

The AI-sized holes in the UN cybercrime treaty

23 Aug 2023
News
The AI-sized holes in the UN cybercrime treaty
Politico ↗
23 Aug 2023
The AI-sized holes in the UN cybercrime treaty
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity

Leaked Yandex code breaks open the creepy black box of online advertising

10 Aug 2023
News
Leaked Yandex code breaks open the creepy black box of online advertising
WIRED ↗
10 Aug 2023
Leaked Yandex code breaks open the creepy black box of online advertising
India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Bill passed: “it’s a bad law”
Data Protection
Data Protection

Another blow for privacy: India’s rights-threatening data protection law must be amended

7 Aug 2023

In another blow for privacy in India, the notorious Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023 was passed by the Lok Sabha

Press Release
Another blow for privacy: India’s rights-threatening data protection law must be amended
7 Aug 2023
Another blow for privacy: India’s rights-threatening data protection law must be amended
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity

WhatsApp made a movie about Afghan women’s soccer

2 Aug 2023
News
WhatsApp made a movie about Afghan women’s soccer
WIRED ↗
2 Aug 2023
WhatsApp made a movie about Afghan women’s soccer
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity

Access Now Submission: Philippine National Cybersecurity Plan 2023-2028

30 Jul 2023

Access Now’s comments to and recommendations for the Philippine National Cybersecurity Strategy Plan 2023-2028

Publication
Access Now Submission: Philippine National Cybersecurity Plan 2023-2028
30 Jul 2023
Access Now Submission: Philippine National Cybersecurity Plan 2023-2028
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity

India health data faces rising risk of breaches, cyberattacks

24 Jul 2023
News
India health data faces rising risk of breaches, cyberattacks
Reuters ↗
24 Jul 2023
India health data faces rising risk of breaches, cyberattacks
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity

What is end-to-end encryption and how does it work?

15 Jul 2023
News
What is end-to-end encryption and how does it work?
BBC ↗
15 Jul 2023
What is end-to-end encryption and how does it work?