Digital Security

STAYING SAFE AND SECURE ONLINE

We work to ensure human right defenders and others facing digital security threats have the resources they need to protect themselves and their communities.

Digital Security Helpline

The Digital Security Helpline is a free of charge resource for civil society around the world. We offer real-time, direct technical assistance and advice to activists, independent media, and civil society organizations.…

Resources

International Women's Day

Content Governance

What is doxxing, and how does it endanger women?

This International Women’s Day, we’re telling platforms like Telegram, Twitch, and Meta to take women’s safety seriously.

000 cases|Social thumbnail: Helpline hits 10

Digital Security

Strengthening civil society’s defenses: what Access Now’s Digital Security Helpline has learned from its first 10,000 cases

Online civic space is under attack, and Access Now’s Digital Security Helpline is a lifeline that crosses time zones and languages to support at-risk groups and individuals from civil society. The 24/7 computer security incident response team has now assisted on more than 10,000 cases affecting activists, journalists, and non-profit organizations. “Strengthening civil society’s defenses: what Access Now’s Digital Security Helpline” shares what we have learned from the first 10,000 cases, identifying key trends, exploring case studies, and offering insight from data on requests for assistance from across the globe.

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Digital Security

Don’t panic! Download “A First Look at Digital Security”

It’s a time of transition. Our user-friendly booklet can help you stay calm and focused.

Latest Updates

مؤتمر المناخ كوب 28
Surveillance
Surveillance

Open letter: Governments must address UAE human rights abuses ahead of COP28

14 Sep 2023

Access Now and over 200 organizations call on governments to address the UAE’s human rights abuses ahead of COP28.

Press Release
Open letter: Governments must address UAE human rights abuses ahead of COP28
14 Sep 2023
Open letter: Governments must address UAE human rights abuses ahead of COP28
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
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
Digital Security
Digital Security

Meta plans to roll out default end-to-end encryption for Messenger by the end of the year

23 Aug 2023
News
Meta plans to roll out default end-to-end encryption for Messenger by the end of the year
TechCrunch ↗
23 Aug 2023
Meta plans to roll out default end-to-end encryption for Messenger by the end of the year
India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Bill passed: “it’s a bad law”
Data Protection
Data Protection

India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Bill passed: “it’s a bad law”

9 Aug 2023

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

Press Release
India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Bill passed: “it’s a bad law”
9 Aug 2023
India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Bill passed: “it’s a bad law”
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
Thumbnail: social media
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of Expression

Vietnam’s identity verification mandate will violate international human rights

4 Aug 2023

Viet Nam’s Identity Verification Mandate will Violate International Human Rights.

Press Release
Vietnam’s identity verification mandate will violate international human rights
4 Aug 2023
Vietnam’s identity verification mandate will violate international human rights
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
Digital Security
Digital Security

Microsoft and Google may have to surrender people’s data to Saudi Arabia after signing huge deals there

24 Jul 2023
News
Microsoft and Google may have to surrender people’s data to Saudi Arabia after signing huge deals there
Business Insider ↗
24 Jul 2023
Microsoft and Google may have to surrender people’s data to Saudi Arabia after signing huge deals there
violence in Cambodia
Content Governance
Content Governance

Online platforms must reject Cambodia prime minister’s incitement to violence

3 Jul 2023

Access Now urges digital platforms to remain alert to incendiary behavior and take steps to prevent online violence in Cambodia.

Press Release
Online platforms must reject Cambodia prime minister’s incitement to violence
3 Jul 2023
Online platforms must reject Cambodia prime minister’s incitement to violence
Protect LGBTIQ Digital Rights
Content Governance
Content Governance

Protect LGBTQ+ Digital Rights

6 Jun 2023
Campaign
Protect LGBTQ+ Digital Rights
6 Jun 2023
Protect LGBTQ+ Digital Rights
Digital Security
Digital Security

From crisis to conflict, we must defend digital rights when people need them most

29 May 2023

People feel restrictions on digital rights most intensely in situations of crisis, conflict, or disaster. Here’s how we are safeguarding people’s digital rights in times of both war and peace.

Post
From crisis to conflict, we must defend digital rights when people need them most
29 May 2023
From crisis to conflict, we must defend digital rights when people need them most
Armenia spyware victims: Pegasus hacking in war
Surveillance
Surveillance

Hacking in a war zone: Pegasus spyware in the Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict

25 May 2023

A joint investigation by civil society and independent researchers has uncovered hacking of Armenia spyware victims with NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware.

Publication
Hacking in a war zone: Pegasus spyware in the Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict
25 May 2023
Hacking in a war zone: Pegasus spyware in the Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict
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
Guide: How to get rid of targeted ads on TikTok (only in the EU)
Privacy
Privacy

How to get rid of targeted ads on TikTok (only in the EU)

26 Apr 2023

If you are in the EU, here are the simple three steps to opt out from TikTok’s targeted ads.

Guide
How to get rid of targeted ads on TikTok (only in the EU)
26 Apr 2023
How to get rid of targeted ads on TikTok (only in the EU)
Thumbnail: cyber
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity

Submission on the Revised Draft Industry Codes, under the Online Safety Act

24 Mar 2023

Access Now’s submission on the revised Draft Industry Codes under the Online Safety Act.

Publication
Submission on the Revised Draft Industry Codes, under the Online Safety Act
24 Mar 2023
Submission on the Revised Draft Industry Codes, under the Online Safety Act