Freedom of Expression

Freedom of Expression

We work for freedom of expression for all, from circumventing censorship, to promoting rights-respecting solutions to regulating online speech, to standing up for those who are silenced for speaking truth to power.

#FreeAlaa campaign

#FreeAlaa: You Have Not Yet Been Defeated

Despite serving a prejudiced and unfair five-year long prison sentence, British-Egyptian activist, blogger, and software developer Alaa Abd El-Fattah remains unlawfully imprisoned by Egyptian authorities.

Related Issues

Latest Updates

how social media companies increase risks for LGBTQ+ people in Africa
Digital Security
Digital Security

How Uganda’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws entrap people online

15 May 2025

As we mark the IDAHOBIT 2025, we highlight research on Uganda’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws and show how they can lead to digital entrapment and human rights violations.

Post
How Uganda’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws entrap people online
15 May 2025
How Uganda’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws entrap people online
elections
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

#KeepItOn: Кремль должен воздержаться от отключений во время национальных праздников и мероприятий

12 May 2025

Ниже подписавшиеся решительно осуждают отключения интернета, введённые российскими властями накануне и во время празднования 80-летия Победы во Второй мировой войне.

Press Release
#KeepItOn: Кремль должен воздержаться от отключений во время национальных праздников и мероприятий
12 May 2025
#KeepItOn: Кремль должен воздержаться от отключений во время национальных праздников и мероприятий
elections
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

#KeepItOn: The Kremlin must refrain from imposing internet shutdowns during key national events

12 May 2025

The undersigned human rights organizations call on the UK government to take immediate action to free Alaa, and save his mother’s life.

Press Release
#KeepItOn: The Kremlin must refrain from imposing internet shutdowns during key national events
12 May 2025
#KeepItOn: The Kremlin must refrain from imposing internet shutdowns during key national events
Digital censorship
Content Governance
Content Governance

Access Now statement on digital censorship amid India–Pakistan conflict

9 May 2025

We are alarmed by executive orders issued by the Indian government restricting access to an alarming spectrum of online content, including requiring social media platform X to block access to over 8,000 accounts, including those belonging to journalists, human rights organisations, and independent media outlets.

Press Release
Access Now statement on digital censorship amid India–Pakistan conflict
9 May 2025
Access Now statement on digital censorship amid India–Pakistan conflict
NSO
Surveillance
Surveillance

NSO to pay $168 million in damages to WhatsApp for Pegasus spyware hacking 

6 May 2025
Press Release
NSO to pay $168 million in damages to WhatsApp for Pegasus spyware hacking 
6 May 2025
NSO to pay $168 million in damages to WhatsApp for Pegasus spyware hacking 
Freedom of expression
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of Expression

Combating digital threats to safeguard press freedom

6 May 2025
Post
Combating digital threats to safeguard press freedom
6 May 2025
Combating digital threats to safeguard press freedom
Digital Security Helpline BG
Digital Security
Digital Security

How U.S. funding cuts expose civil society to digital attacks

9 Apr 2025
Post
How U.S. funding cuts expose civil society to digital attacks
9 Apr 2025
How U.S. funding cuts expose civil society to digital attacks
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of Expression

All democratic forces must act for a strong and independent civil society

7 Apr 2025

We call on all democratic forces to oppose disinformation around
the role of civil society organizations to protect the unique role in European
democracy.

Press Release
All democratic forces must act for a strong and independent civil society
7 Apr 2025
All democratic forces must act for a strong and independent civil society
FreeAlaa Banner
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of Expression

Joint appeal for Alaa Abd el-Fattah

14 Mar 2025
Press Release
Joint appeal for Alaa Abd el-Fattah
14 Mar 2025
Joint appeal for Alaa Abd el-Fattah
Myanmar's digital dictatorship
Digital Identity Systems
Digital Identity Systems

Fourth year under Myanmar military’s digital iron curtain

4 Mar 2025
News
Fourth year under Myanmar military’s digital iron curtain
Tech Policy Press ↗
4 Mar 2025
Fourth year under Myanmar military’s digital iron curtain
A pathway forward for digital rights by Brett Solomon
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of Expression

Joint statement on emerging digital laws in Bangladesh

25 Feb 2025

Access Now urges the Interim Government of Bangladesh to ensure its approach to digital governance reforms to ensure is rights-based.

Press Release
Joint statement on emerging digital laws in Bangladesh
25 Feb 2025
Joint statement on emerging digital laws in Bangladesh
elections
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Lives on hold: internet shutdowns in 2024

23 Feb 2025

The 2024 #KeepItOn report on internet shutdowns is out. Read on for key insights from this year’s data.

Post
Lives on hold: internet shutdowns in 2024
23 Feb 2025
Lives on hold: internet shutdowns in 2024
elections
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Emboldened offenders, endangered communities: internet shutdowns in 2024

23 Feb 2025

Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition documented 296 internet shutdowns in 2024 — the highest number since 2016.

Publication
Emboldened offenders, endangered communities: internet shutdowns in 2024
23 Feb 2025
Emboldened offenders, endangered communities: internet shutdowns in 2024
Ghana’s anti-LGBTQ+ bill
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of Expression

Our rights are at stake: it’s time to reclaim freedom of expression

21 Feb 2025

Given the escalating use of free speech claims as a shield for inciting hatred and violence, it is more urgent than ever to reaffirm what freedom of expression truly stands for.

Press Release
Our rights are at stake: it’s time to reclaim freedom of expression
21 Feb 2025
Our rights are at stake: it’s time to reclaim freedom of expression
Palestinian Authority
Content Governance
Content Governance

Poised to take over TikTok, Oracle is accused of clamping down on Pro-Palestine dissent

19 Feb 2025
News
Poised to take over TikTok, Oracle is accused of clamping down on Pro-Palestine dissent
The Intercept ↗
19 Feb 2025
Poised to take over TikTok, Oracle is accused of clamping down on Pro-Palestine dissent
TikTok
Content Governance
Content Governance

Tamil website Vikatan inaccessible after It posted cartoon of PM, no official takedown order confirmed

19 Feb 2025
News
Tamil website Vikatan inaccessible after It posted cartoon of PM, no official takedown order confirmed
Medianama ↗
19 Feb 2025
Tamil website Vikatan inaccessible after It posted cartoon of PM, no official takedown order confirmed