Protecting Our Data
Access Now fights for stronger, more effective laws and policies around the world to protect people’s personal information online. Here you will find resources to understand what data protection is, why it matters, and how to protect your information. Whether you are an internet user, lawmaker, or data protection authority, there is something for you.
REPORT
Five years and counting: the GDPR faces a make-or-break moment over enforcement
As the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) turns five, so does the Europe-wide wait for its real-life enforcement. In a new report, Five years under the GDPR: An implementation progress report, Access Now explores how the GDPR could finally become a success if its enforcement process is improved.
RESOURCES FOR INDIVIDUALS
What is data protection? Why does it matter? What can you do to protect your information?
RESOURCES FOR LAWMAKERS
Our guide will help you develop or update the data protection norms in your country.
More Resources
Data Protection
The right to lodge a data protection complaint under the GDPR: OK, but then what?
This study commissioned by Access Now from The Data Protection Law Scholars Network highlights how unequal the right to lodge a data protection complaint is across Europe.
Data Protection
Why Kenyans should say no to biometrics for SIM card registry
Your Kenya SIM card should not come with a demand for your personal biometrics.
Data Protection
Protección de datos: ¿por qué es importante y cómo debes hacerlo?
“La creación de un marco para la protección de datos: Una guía para los legisladores sobre qué hacer y qué no” comparte las lecciones obtenidas de la RGPD y destaca los problemas a tener en cuenta para la implementación de una norma de protección de datos.
Data Protection
Access Now’s submission on Bangladesh’s Draft Data Protection Act
Access Now’s submission to the Information and Communication Technology Division, Bangladesh, on the Draft Data Protection Act, 2022.
Data Protection
Día Internacional de la Protección de Datos Personales en LATAM: resumen del 2022 y perspectivas para el 2023
Este 28 de enero se celebra nuevamente el Día Internacional de la Protección de Datos Personales. La importancia de este día reside en la necesidad de informar y concientizar a
Data Protection
Answer to the European Commission consultation on the enforcement of the GDPR
Access Now’s feedback to the European Commission consultation on “Further specifying procedural rules relating to the enforcement of the General Data Protection Regulation.”
Data Protection
How to get rid of targeted ads on TikTok (only in the EU)
If you are in the EU, here are the simple three steps to opt out from TikTok’s targeted ads.
FAQ
Why does data protection matter?
Protecting personal data means securing your information online and preventing any unauthorized access. It also means limiting data collection and tracking, which helps protect your identity online and reduce risks of discrimination, online manupilation, and online fraud.
Abuse of data in digital spaces can have very real consequences in our daily lives. Read more here.
What is data protection?
Governments all around the world are creating rules on how our personal data is collected, stored, analyzed and otherwise used by companies or government bodies. These rules uphold data protection rights, which empower individuals to make informed choices about what happens to their information, both before and after they share it, and require data collectors to treat people’s personal information with great care.
What is access now’s work on data protection?
We advocate for the passage of comprehensive data protection measures all around the world. We raise awareness about the importance of this right and how people can exercise it,provide expert comments and opinions to lawmakers, and support the work of data protection authorities in enforcing this right.
What is the EU general data protection regulation, or gdpr?
The GDPR — or General Data Protection Regulation — is the European Union data protection law in place since May 2018. The GDPR is considered to be one of the strongest frameworks currently in place to protect personal data and serves as a model for regulation around the world.
Learn more about the GDPR here and how to exercise your rights here.
Jordan passes flawed data protection law
Jordan has finally passed a data protection law. However, the text still ignores major shortcomings.
Open letter: Governments must address UAE human rights abuses ahead of COP28
Access Now and over 200 organizations call on governments to address the UAE’s human rights abuses ahead of COP28.
An open letter to the RightsCon community about RightsCon Costa Rica and what comes next
We explain the challenges and exclusion some participants faced, apologize and take accountability for our role, and share thoughts on the road ahead.
El Salvador: how dirty data entraps immigrants to the U.S.
The U.S. is using unreliable information from El Salvador for immigration processes, entrapping innocent immigrants. It’s time to stop dirty data-sharing agreements, reform the process, and protect people’s rights.
India’s personal data protection law welcomed but concerns raised over state surveillance
Concerns over the Data Protection Bill, moon rush, and no-confidence debate
Rights groups call for investigation: U.S. relies on unreliable information in immigration screening and adjudications
Organizaciones de derechos humanos piden investigación sobre intercambio de información entre Estados Unidos y gobiernos autoritarios para procesos migratorios
Meta, Alphabet and other tech firms face new data rules in India
India passes data protection bill amid surveillance concerns
India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Bill passed: “it’s a bad law”
Today, August 9, is a historic day for India — one that will be remembered as the day the government signed away the rights of millions
Another blow for privacy: India’s rights-threatening data protection law must be amended
In another blow for privacy in India, the notorious Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023 was passed by the Lok Sabha
Tweak or treat privacy?
Vietnam’s identity verification mandate will violate international human rights
Viet Nam’s Identity Verification Mandate will Violate International Human Rights.
Access Now Analysis: India’s Data Protection Bill
The introduction of India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023, to parliament does far more to threaten privacy than to protect it.
India’s Data Protection Bill a threat to privacy
The introduction of India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023, to parliament does far more to threaten privacy than to protect it.