

Ending internet shutdowns to #KeepItOn
Internet shutdowns pose a threat to human rights around the world. They harm everyone: businesses, emergency services, journalism, human rights defenders, and demonstrators. Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition work with stakeholders across sectors to end internet shutdowns worldwide.
Community resources






Blog
Russia: Telegram block leads to widespread assault on freedom of expression online
Access Now joins a coalition of rights organizations in calling on Russia to stop blocking the encrypted messaging application Telegram, and to cease its broader attack on free expression online and the free press. …
30 April 2018











Blog
Bangladesh and the U.S.: Internet shutdowns are the wrong response to national security threats
Yesterday, authorities in Dhaka, Bangladesh shut down some internet services for several hours, including blocking access to Facebook, Whatsapp, and Viber. Service was later restored, but key services remain offline. The latest shutdown in Dhaka shows worrying backsliding to the use of internet shutdowns as a blunt instrument to deal with threats to national security. It also solidifies the South Asia region as a hub for these intentional disruptions, given that Pakistan and the Indian provinces of Gujarat and Kashmir have also chosen to disrupt networks in the past few months. Worse, it looks as though lawmakers around the world are seeing threats to national security as a justification for undermining the open internet. …
19 November 2015

Blog
Nauru in hot seat as U.N. decries internet blocking, clampdown on free expression
Today countries around the world urged the small island state of Nauru to restore access to social media and support free expression. Delivered in a session at the United Nations Human Rights Council, the recommendations — presented by official delegations from the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and Timor Leste, among others — represent a sharp rebuke after Nauru clamped down on free expression over the past year, including blocking Facebook. In a separate action, Access Now delivered a petition to the government of Nauru signed by more than 5,000 people calling on the government to restore full access to the internet.…
3 November 2015

Blog
Victory in Malaysia as High Court lifts ban on major publisher
Rights groups won a major victory for free expression in Malaysia as a High Court lifted a three-month ban on The Edge Media Group. The decision follows months of sustained pressure by local advocacy groups in Malaysia and international organizations including Access Now. Sarawak Report, another major media organization in Malaysia, remains blocked.…
22 September 2015

Blog
Rights groups to Malaysia: Stop blocking websites and allow Bersih 4.0 Rally
Today Access joined Article 19, APC, and Human Rights Watch in a letter to Prime Minister Najib denouncing the blocking of Sarawak Report and the revocation of publishing permits. The letter also warned against imposing further restrictions on mass protests planned for this weekend.…
28 August 2015

Blog
Access urges officials in Gujarat, India to rescind internet disruption
This week telecom operators complied with a request from agencies of the Gujarat state government to shut down SMS functionality and disrupt mobile internet service. Access strongly believes no authority should issue internet shutdown orders, and that authorities in the state of Gujarat should urgently rescind the current blanket measures affecting so many Indian citizens and institutions. …
27 August 2015

Blog
Malaysia blocks website after allegations of corruption
Last week, Malaysia’s Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) confirmed it had blocked access to the news website Sarawak Report for publishing “unverified content.” We condemn attempts to restrict fundamental rights in Malaysia. Attempts to censor publications by blocking website access or filing bogus copyright claims violate users’ rights to freedom of opinion and expression, and access to information.
…29 July 2015

