Net Discrimination

Fighting for Net Neutrality

Paid “fast lanes” for the internet undermine free expression and innovation. Internet access should be offered to everyone on a nondiscriminatory basis, without favoring certain websites, applications, services, or business models.  We advocate for net neutrality to ensure access to a free and open internet around the world.

Civil society won’t back down: the fight for net neutrality continues in California

Internet service providers (ISPs) oppose SB 822, which grants California residents the best net neutrality protections in the United States.

Resources

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Connectivity

Zero rating: a global threat to the open internet

We discuss two primary models for “zero rating” — both of which are a form of network discrimination and harm human rights.

EU Ukraine

Connectivity

Open letter to the EU: protect people affected by Russia’s attack on Ukraine

In a letter to the EU, Access Now provides recommendations related to tech platforms and telecoms operators in the context of the war in Ukraine.

internet gateway

Data Protection

Cambodia should scrap rights-abusing National Internet Gateway

Access Now and a coalition of rights organizations call on Cambodia to revoke plans to establish an internet gateway.

Latest Updates

UN Global Digital Compact
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity

UN Global Digital Compact: FAQ

19 Sep 2024

What is the UN Global Digital Compact, why does it matter for the future of digital rights, and what are its human rights implications? Read our FAQ to know.

Guide
UN Global Digital Compact: FAQ
19 Sep 2024
UN Global Digital Compact: FAQ
Border Surveillance Greece Header
Surveillance
Surveillance

Surveilling Europe’s edges: when digitalisation means dehumanisation

18 Sep 2024

In the first of a three-part blog series, Caterina Rodelli explains how digital surveillance is dehumanising people at Europe’s borders.

Post
Surveilling Europe’s edges: when digitalisation means dehumanisation
18 Sep 2024
Surveilling Europe’s edges: when digitalisation means dehumanisation
Bigger, bolder: U.S. slaps sanctions on spyware company and executives
Surveillance
Surveillance

Actions speak louder than words: U.S. slaps strong new sanctions on spyware company and executives

18 Sep 2024

The U.S. government sanctioned individuals associated with the Intellexa consortium. Access Now urges additional action to further rein in the unchecked surveillance tech industry.

Press Release
Actions speak louder than words: U.S. slaps strong new sanctions on spyware company and executives
18 Sep 2024
Actions speak louder than words: U.S. slaps strong new sanctions on spyware company and executives
Restore Telecoms and Internet Connectivity in Gaza Now!
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence

L’Intelligenza artificiale e l’occupazione digitale della Palestina

17 Sep 2024
News
L’Intelligenza artificiale e l’occupazione digitale della Palestina
Il Mitte ↗
17 Sep 2024
L’Intelligenza artificiale e l’occupazione digitale della Palestina
Bodily harms: how AI and biometrics curtail human rights PR header
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence

Access Now’s submission on Taiwan AI Basic Law

16 Sep 2024

Access Now welcomes the progressive approach taken in this current preview draft text of Taiwan’s AI Basic Law, including the importance laid on protecting human rights and the concerns of individuals and vulnerable communities.

Publication
Access Now’s submission on Taiwan AI Basic Law
16 Sep 2024
Access Now’s submission on Taiwan AI Basic Law
KeepItOn 2024 Elections and Internet Shutdowns Watch
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

2024 elections and internet shutdowns watch

16 Sep 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
16 Sep 2024
2024 elections and internet shutdowns watch
UN Security Council on Digital Rights
Digital Identity Systems
Digital Identity Systems

Open letter to European Commission: the dangers of age verification proposals to fundamental rights online

16 Sep 2024
Press Release
Open letter to European Commission: the dangers of age verification proposals to fundamental rights online
16 Sep 2024
Open letter to European Commission: the dangers of age verification proposals to fundamental rights online
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Privacy
Privacy

Access Now welcomes first set of amendments to Australia’s Privacy Act, but more needs to be done

13 Sep 2024
Press Release
Access Now welcomes first set of amendments to Australia’s Privacy Act, but more needs to be done
13 Sep 2024
Access Now welcomes first set of amendments to Australia’s Privacy Act, but more needs to be done
Kenyan government violations of rights
Protest and Online Organizing
Protest and Online Organizing

Access Now and KICTANet’s joint memorandum on Kenya’s Assembly and Demonstrations Bill, 2024

13 Sep 2024
Publication
Access Now and KICTANet’s joint memorandum on Kenya’s Assembly and Demonstrations Bill, 2024
13 Sep 2024
Access Now and KICTANet’s joint memorandum on Kenya’s Assembly and Demonstrations Bill, 2024
Open letter on technology-enabled political violence in Venezuela
Digital Identity Systems
Digital Identity Systems

Venezuela: digital id as a tool of oppression

12 Sep 2024
News
Venezuela: digital id as a tool of oppression
Tech Policy Press ↗
12 Sep 2024
Venezuela: digital id as a tool of oppression
Ghana’s anti-LGBTQ+ bill
Content Governance
Content Governance

Access Now condemns the suspension of X in Brazil

12 Sep 2024

Access Now opposes the suspension of X in Brazil and is concerned by the growing trend of blocking of entire online platforms and applications as a response to systemic non-compliance.

Press Release
Access Now condemns the suspension of X in Brazil
12 Sep 2024
Access Now condemns the suspension of X in Brazil
Digital Identity
Digital Identity Systems
Digital Identity Systems

Why we need tailored identity systems for our digital world 

11 Sep 2024

Digital identity systems are no silver bullet for social challenges. Here’s why a “minimalist” approach makes sense, while protecting human rights.

Post
Why we need tailored identity systems for our digital world 
11 Sep 2024
Why we need tailored identity systems for our digital world 
Encryption and messaging services
Privacy
Privacy

Encryption FAQ: encrypted messaging, AI, content moderation, and more

11 Sep 2024
Post
Encryption FAQ: encrypted messaging, AI, content moderation, and more
11 Sep 2024
Encryption FAQ: encrypted messaging, AI, content moderation, and more
India fake news
Protest and Online Organizing
Protest and Online Organizing

Egypt authorities must release activist Mohamed Adel

10 Sep 2024

Human rights organizations urge the Egyptian authorities to immediately release political activist Mohamed Adel, and to comply with their duty to protect his life and health.

Press Release
Egypt authorities must release activist Mohamed Adel
10 Sep 2024
Egypt authorities must release activist Mohamed Adel
Saudi Arabia Internet Governance
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of Expression

Joint Statement: Saudi Arabia must free detainees jailed for their online expression ahead of Internet Governance Forum

6 Sep 2024

Access Now, Amnesty International, and civil society partners demand Saudi Arabia free individuals detained for their online expression ahead the UN Internet Governance Forum in Riyadh.

Press Release
Joint Statement: Saudi Arabia must free detainees jailed for their online expression ahead of Internet Governance Forum
6 Sep 2024
Joint Statement: Saudi Arabia must free detainees jailed for their online expression ahead of Internet Governance Forum
Saudi Arabia Internet Governance
Transparency
Transparency

بيان مشترك: على السلطات السعودية الإفراج عن المحتجزين بسبب تعبيرهم عن آرائهم على الإنترنت قبيل انعقاد منتدى حوكمة الإنترنت

6 Sep 2024

نطالب، بالتعاون مع منظمات المجتمع المدني، السعودية بالإفراج عن الأشخاص المحتجزين بسبب تعبيرهم عبر الإنترنت قبل منتدى حوكمة الإنترنت.

Press Release
بيان مشترك: على السلطات السعودية الإفراج عن المحتجزين بسبب تعبيرهم عن آرائهم على الإنترنت قبيل انعقاد منتدى حوكمة الإنترنت
6 Sep 2024
بيان مشترك: على السلطات السعودية الإفراج عن المحتجزين بسبب تعبيرهم عن آرائهم على الإنترنت قبيل انعقاد منتدى حوكمة الإنترنت