Bridging Digital Divides
Technology’s benefits often go most directly to those with the greatest access to privilege and wealth, while its harms are largely inflicted on those already facing discrimination, marginalization, and injustice. Bridging digital divides and achieving racial, social, gender, and environmental justice is fundamental for defending human rights in the digital age.
Why internet shutdowns are even worse for women
We all know internet shutdowns violate human rights and destroy people’s lives and livelihoods. For women around the world, they also take away crucial opportunities and exacerbate the inequality and injustice they already suffer.
Related Issues
Latest Updates
Joint Statement: Passport and visa systems must not exclude members of the human rights community from cross-border convenings
These discriminatory systems prevent human rights defenders from coming together to advance their work, bring severe hardship and harm to those impacted, and unjustly place the heaviest burden on people from the Global Majority. Join us in taking a stand.
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.
Resurging internet shutdowns in 2022: weapons of control, shields of impunity
U.S. President Biden signs into law $65 billion for more accessible and affordable internet
Today, President Biden signed the bipartisan infrastructure bill into law, which includes $65 billion to close the digital divide.
Civil society defends affordable broadband in New York
Access Now and a coalition of civil society organizations filed an amicus brief in support of New York’s Affordable Broadband Act (ABA).
How to apply for the Emergency Broadband Benefit in the U.S.
Internet for all? Biden has a $100B vision
Access Now applauds President Biden’s plan to allocate $100 billion to improve internet access in the United States.
Internet for all? A cure for the digital divide in the U.S.
Access Now endorses the “Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act,” an important step towards ensuring everyone in the United States can get online.
U.S. FCC should quickly deliver Emergency Broadband Benefit to people in need
Access Now and Free Press urge the U.S. Federal Communications Commission to immediately implement the Emergency Broadband Benefit program that Congress established in the pandemic-relief package.
Civil society to FCC: make emergency broadband benefit easily accessible
Access Now and Free Press filed comments with the Federal Communications Commission urging strong and rapid implementation of the Emergency Broadband Benefit program.
Holding Biden to account: Access Now’s new tool tracks digital rights, tech policy
On the day of Joe Biden’s inauguration, Access Now launches a new online tool to track how well the incoming administration addresses key digital rights issues, including data protection, net neutrality, disinformation, and facial recognition.
No longer turning blind eye, U.S. Congress finally moves to get people online amid pandemic
Access Now applauds the U.S. Congress for coming to an agreement on a COVID-19 stimulus package that includes critical funding for broadband connectivity.
U.S. Senate Democrats and civil society denounce Simington nomination to FCC
Members of the U.S. Congress and civil society representatives voice strong opposition to President Trump’s FCC nominee, Nathan Simington, whose appointment would threaten net neutrality protections, freedom of expression, and broadband access.
More than 3.5 billion left in the dark: why we’re still fighting to reach U.N. targets for internet access
If we don’t reach U.N. targets for internet access — providing everyone, everywhere with affordable, open, secure, and high-quality connectivity — we won’t meet the sustainable development goals by 2030.
Closing the digital divide: new bill can get Indigenous populations online
Access Now endorses the Extending Tribal Broadband Priority Act of 2020, legislation that would require the Federal Communications Commission to create additional time for Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations to apply for spectrum licenses.
Access Now publishes U.S. digital rights agenda
Access Now releases its digital rights policy recommendations for the incoming U.S. president.