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: You Have Not Yet Been Defeated

On April 2, 2022, and after years of unlawful imprisonment, mistreatment, and torture, Egyptian activist, blogger, and software developer Alaa Abd El-Fattah shaved his head and started a hunger strike on the first day of Ramadan.

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

Rainbow-burning: how social media companies increase risks for LGBTQ+ people in Africa

4 Dec 2024

Colonial-era laws and a global anti-rights movement are fueling LGBTQ+ repression across Africa. Access Now documented 214 threats on platforms like TikTok, X, Facebook, YouTube, and WhatsApp, underscoring widespread risks.

Publication
Rainbow-burning: how social media companies increase risks for LGBTQ+ people in Africa
4 Dec 2024
Rainbow-burning: how social media companies increase risks for LGBTQ+ people in Africa
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Digital Security
Digital Security

Why we won’t stop defending LGBTQ+ digital rights

3 Dec 2024
Post
Why we won’t stop defending LGBTQ+ digital rights
3 Dec 2024
Why we won’t stop defending LGBTQ+ digital rights
MENA Cybercrime Laws
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of Expression

When “cybercrime” laws infringe human rights: lessons from the Arab region 

27 Nov 2024

Governments across the Arab region already use cybercrime laws to violate human rights, and the UN cybercrime convention risks making this even easier.

Post
When “cybercrime” laws infringe human rights: lessons from the Arab region 
27 Nov 2024
When “cybercrime” laws infringe human rights: lessons from the Arab region 
Palestine Israel Digital Ceasefire; Gaza’s internet
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of Expression

Toward a digital ceasefire

20 Nov 2024

The ascent of cyber warfare is weaponizing our digital world; it’s time to embrace the concept of “digital ceasefire.”

Post
Toward a digital ceasefire
20 Nov 2024
Toward a digital ceasefire
MENA Cybercrime Laws
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of Expression

Apple still blocking access to news apps and podcasts at Moscow’s request

20 Nov 2024
News
Apple still blocking access to news apps and podcasts at Moscow’s request
The Record ↗
20 Nov 2024
Apple still blocking access to news apps and podcasts at Moscow’s request
ICC arrest warrants for Israeli leaders put Big Tech on notice
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of Expression

Global coalition of NGOs call for immediate ceasefire in Lebanon

14 Nov 2024
Press Release
Global coalition of NGOs call for immediate ceasefire in Lebanon
14 Nov 2024
Global coalition of NGOs call for immediate ceasefire in Lebanon
MENA Cybercrime Laws
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of Expression

قوانين الجرائم السيبرانية في المنطقة العربية: حماية للفضاء الرقمي أم قمع للحريات؟

14 Nov 2024

ورقة السياسات هذه تبسط أكساس ناو موقفها إزاء قوانين الجرائم السيبرانية في المنطقة العربية بهدف مواءمتها مع المعايير الدولية المتعلقة بالحقوق الرقمية.

Publication
قوانين الجرائم السيبرانية في المنطقة العربية: حماية للفضاء الرقمي أم قمع للحريات؟
14 Nov 2024
قوانين الجرائم السيبرانية في المنطقة العربية: حماية للفضاء الرقمي أم قمع للحريات؟
MENA Cybercrime Laws
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of Expression

حرية التعبير والخصوصية: حقوق محاصرة بالقوانين السيبرانية في المنطقة العربية

14 Nov 2024

في ظل الارتفاع الملحوظ في استخدام القوانين السيبرانية لاستهداف المدافعين عن حقوق الإنسان والأصوات المعارضة في المنطقة العربية، تطلق أكساس ناو ورقة سياسات جديدة.

Press Release
حرية التعبير والخصوصية: حقوق محاصرة بالقوانين السيبرانية في المنطقة العربية
14 Nov 2024
حرية التعبير والخصوصية: حقوق محاصرة بالقوانين السيبرانية في المنطقة العربية
Journalists Palestine Lebanon
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of Expression

Statement on the targeting and killing of journalists in Palestine and Lebanon

11 Nov 2024

We stand in solidarity with the Palestinian and Lebanese journalists bravely reporting amid life-threatening risks.

Press Release
Statement on the targeting and killing of journalists in Palestine and Lebanon
11 Nov 2024
Statement on the targeting and killing of journalists in Palestine and Lebanon
Derecho al olvido Right to be forgotten
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of Expression

Access Now publica alternativas al “derecho al olvido” en América Latina

5 Nov 2024
Press Release
Access Now publica alternativas al “derecho al olvido” en América Latina
5 Nov 2024
Access Now publica alternativas al “derecho al olvido” en América Latina
TikTok ban Kenya
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of Expression

Joint statement: refusal to license Fakartany’s website is an attack on independent journalism in Egypt 

5 Nov 2024

We condemn the decision issued by the Supreme Council for Media Regulation (SCMR) on 8 September refusing to grant a license to the Fakartany website.

Press Release
Joint statement: refusal to license Fakartany’s website is an attack on independent journalism in Egypt 
5 Nov 2024
Joint statement: refusal to license Fakartany’s website is an attack on independent journalism in Egypt 
Regulating digital platforms
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of Expression

Experts: Apple’s removal of news apps in Russia sets ‘dangerous precedent’

29 Oct 2024
News
Experts: Apple’s removal of news apps in Russia sets ‘dangerous precedent’
Voice of America ↗
29 Oct 2024
Experts: Apple’s removal of news apps in Russia sets ‘dangerous precedent’
ICC arrest warrants for Israeli leaders put Big Tech on notice
Content Governance
Content Governance

Meta’s Israel Policy Chief tried to suppress pro-Palestinian Instagram posts

22 Oct 2024
News
Meta’s Israel Policy Chief tried to suppress pro-Palestinian Instagram posts
The Intercept ↗
22 Oct 2024
Meta’s Israel Policy Chief tried to suppress pro-Palestinian Instagram posts
KeepItOn 2024 Elections and Internet Shutdowns Watch
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

2024 elections and internet shutdowns watch

21 Oct 2024

Governments around the world continue to shut down the internet during elections. Join our 2024 elections watch to #KeepItOn.

Campaign
2024 elections and internet shutdowns watch
21 Oct 2024
2024 elections and internet shutdowns watch
UN Global Digital Compact
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of Expression

Submission to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of freedom of opinion and expression’s report on “Freedom of expression in challenging times”

3 Oct 2024
Publication
Submission to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of freedom of opinion and expression’s report on “Freedom of expression in challenging times”
3 Oct 2024
Submission to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of freedom of opinion and expression’s report on “Freedom of expression in challenging times”
UN Global Digital Compact
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of Expression

Submission to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on climate change for UN General Assembly 79th session report on “Access to information on climate change and human rights” 

3 Oct 2024
Publication
Submission to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on climate change for UN General Assembly 79th session report on “Access to information on climate change and human rights” 
3 Oct 2024
Submission to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on climate change for UN General Assembly 79th session report on “Access to information on climate change and human rights”