Digital Divide

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.

internet gateway

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

Bangladesh flag
Digital Security
Digital Security

How to stay safe online during the 2024 Bangladesh election

2 Jan 2024

The 2024 Bangladesh election takes place on 7 January. Against a backdrop of myriad threats to digital freedoms and human rights online, we’re created a guide to help journalists, activists, and voters stay safe during the election period.

Guide
How to stay safe online during the 2024 Bangladesh election
2 Jan 2024
How to stay safe online during the 2024 Bangladesh election
digital ceasefire gaza
Digital Divide
Digital Divide

Palestinians are locked out of Google’s online economy

28 Nov 2023
News
Palestinians are locked out of Google’s online economy
WIRED ↗
28 Nov 2023
Palestinians are locked out of Google’s online economy
digital ceasefire gaza
Digital Divide
Digital Divide

الفصل العنصري الرقمي واستخدام خوارزميات التواصل الاجتماعي في الأزمات الإنسانية

23 Nov 2023
News
الفصل العنصري الرقمي واستخدام خوارزميات التواصل الاجتماعي في الأزمات الإنسانية
Global Voices ↗
23 Nov 2023
الفصل العنصري الرقمي واستخدام خوارزميات التواصل الاجتماعي في الأزمات الإنسانية
How to stay safe online in the context of conflict in Gaza
Digital Security
Digital Security

Cómo protegerse en línea en el contexto del conflicto en Gaza  

26 Oct 2023

La presente guía de consejos sobre resiliencia digital elaborada por Access Now y SMEX fue diseñada para brindarles apoyo contra las amenazas denunciadas.

Guide
Cómo protegerse en línea en el contexto del conflicto en Gaza  
26 Oct 2023
Cómo protegerse en línea en el contexto del conflicto en Gaza  
How to stay safe online in the context of conflict in Gaza
Digital Security
Digital Security

Staying safe online in the context of conflict in Gaza  

24 Oct 2023

This digital resilience tipsheet compiled by Access Now and SMEX is designed to support you in defending against reported threats.

Guide
Staying safe online in the context of conflict in Gaza  
24 Oct 2023
Staying safe online in the context of conflict in Gaza  
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
Chain link fence
Protest and Online Organizing
Protest and Online Organizing

Joint Statement: Internet Governance Forum must reverse decision to make Saudi Arabia its next host

12 Oct 2023

An IGF 2024 hosted by Saudi Arabia is incompatible with the event’s multistakeholder model, as human rights risks make robust civil society engagement impossible.

Campaign
Joint Statement: Internet Governance Forum must reverse decision to make Saudi Arabia its next host
12 Oct 2023
Joint Statement: Internet Governance Forum must reverse decision to make Saudi Arabia its next host
Digital Identity Toolkit
Digital Identity Systems
Digital Identity Systems

The digital identity toolkit

8 Oct 2023

Developed by Access Now, this toolkit helps build the lexicon and framework around digital ID issues to facilitate a human rights approach.

Guide
The digital identity toolkit
8 Oct 2023
The digital identity toolkit
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
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
Passport and Visa Systems must not exclude members of human rights community around the world
Protest and Online Organizing
Protest and Online Organizing

Joint Statement: Passport and visa systems must not exclude members of the human rights community from cross-border convenings

7 Jun 2023

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.

Campaign
Joint Statement: Passport and visa systems must not exclude members of the human rights community from cross-border convenings
7 Jun 2023
Joint Statement: Passport and visa systems must not exclude members of the human rights community from cross-border convenings
Tech and conflict
Transparency
Transparency

Tech and conflict: a guide for responsible business conduct

18 May 2023

This guide is meant to help tech companies think through the impacts of their decisions in the context of conflict.

Guide
Tech and conflict: a guide for responsible business conduct
18 May 2023
Tech and conflict: a guide for responsible business conduct
Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition's report unpacks internet shutdowns in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and globally.
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Resurging internet shutdowns in 2022: weapons of control, shields of impunity

28 Feb 2023
Press Release
Resurging internet shutdowns in 2022: weapons of control, shields of impunity
28 Feb 2023
Resurging internet shutdowns in 2022: weapons of control, shields of impunity
internet gateway
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of Expression

U.S. President Biden signs into law $65 billion for more accessible and affordable internet

1 Mar 2022

Today, President Biden signed the bipartisan infrastructure bill into law, which includes $65 billion to close the digital divide.

Press Release
U.S. President Biden signs into law $65 billion for more accessible and affordable internet
1 Mar 2022
U.S. President Biden signs into law $65 billion for more accessible and affordable internet
internet gateway
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of Expression

Civil society defends affordable broadband in New York

2 Dec 2021

Access Now and a coalition of civil society organizations filed an amicus brief in support of New York’s Affordable Broadband Act (ABA).

Press Release
Civil society defends affordable broadband in New York
2 Dec 2021
Civil society defends affordable broadband in New York
internet gateway
Covid-19
Covid-19

How to apply for the Emergency Broadband Benefit in the U.S.

13 Aug 2021
Post
How to apply for the Emergency Broadband Benefit in the U.S.
13 Aug 2021
How to apply for the Emergency Broadband Benefit in the U.S.