Protests and Online Organizing
The right to protest is essential for the future of human rights, justice, and democracy. Protests and online organizing are evolving in digital spaces, and autocratic governments are responding with attempts to undermine privacy, quell dissent, and punish those who speak out. We demand governments and companies respect and protect our freedom to assemble, associate, and speak freely, online and off. We also offer activists and human rights defenders digital safety tools and resources.
Tackling the “black snakes” undermining digital rights worldwide
The “digital black snakes” — external variables that threaten our mission of safeguarding human rights — in our way are significant, but so too is our collective power to fend them off.
Resources
Digital Security
Why we won’t stop defending LGBTQ+ digital rights
The world recently marked Transgender Day of Remembrance 2024; an annual moment to honor transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming people who have been killed, attacked, discriminated against, or abused simply
Artificial Intelligence
A pathway forward for digital rights
Brett Solomon shares insights from 15 years as Access Now Co-founder and Executive Director.
Freedom of Expression
First-time culprit: France blocks TikTok in New Caledonia
In New Caledonia, French authorities blocked TikTok. This measure is disproportionate, unnecessary, and another bad omen for democracy.
Freedom of Expression
#FreeAlaa: You have not yet been defeated
Alaa Abd El Fattah, Egyptian-British activist, blogger, and software developer, and a central figure in Egypt’s technology and political activism, should have been released from prison on September 29, 2024.
Connectivity
#KeepItOn in Annobón: Authorities in Equatorial Guinea must end internet shutdown and other human rights abuses
Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition are calling on authorities in Equatorial Guinea to immediately restore internet and telecom services in Annobón.
Connectivity
Will the Right to Protest survive its migration online?
State-sanctioned internet shutdowns, increased surveillance, and unequal access to the internet are impacting communities globally. Will the Right to Protest survive its migration online?
Latest Updates
Emboldened offenders, endangered communities: internet shutdowns in 2024
Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition documented 296 internet shutdowns in 2024 — the highest number since 2016.
RightsCon comes to Taiwan: human rights battle in the digital age
Ceasefire in Gaza: it’s time to end digital harms and deliver justice
As physical violence appears to be coming to a halt after 15 months in Gaza, Access Now further calls for a digital ceasefire.
Tackling the “black snakes” undermining digital rights worldwide
As 2025 gets underway, Access Now’s new Executive Director, Alejandro Mayoral Baños, PhD, shares his reflections on the “black snakes” threatening the digital rights movement.
Georgia protests: digital safety tips for peaceful gatherings
Amid an ongoing crackdown on dissent and peaceful protests in many EECA countries, most recently Georgia, CyberHUB-AM and Access Now’s Digital Security Helpline have prepared a guide to support protestors to stay safer online.
بيان مُشترك: المجتمع المدني يُطالب باتخاذ الإجراءات اللازمة قبيل انعقاد منتدى حوكمة الإنترنت
منظمات حقوق الإنسان المُوقّعة أدناه، نحثّ حكومة السعودية على إطلاق سراح جميع المعتقلين الذين اعتقلتهم السلطات السعودية بسبب تعبيرهم عن آرائهم على الإنترنت
Joint statement: civil society demands action ahead of Internet Governance Forum
Civil society urges the government of Saudi Arabia to release people imprisoned for their online expression and foster transparency and accountability ahead of IGF 2024.
Who wins from the IGF? Not those locked up for speaking out
Why we won’t stop defending LGBTQ+ digital rights
Saudi authorities must end misuse of administrative and judicial measures against released human rights defenders including Loujain al-Hathloul
We call on the Saudi authorities to immediately cease misusing administrative and judicial measures against human rights defenders released from prison.
Experts: Apple’s removal of news apps in Russia sets ‘dangerous precedent’
ينبغي إطلاق سراح علاء عبد الفتاح هذا الشهر بعد انتهاء مدة سجنه
Alaa Abd el-Fattah must be released on Sunday, 29 September at the end of his five year prison sentence.
Alaa Abd el-Fattah must be released this month at the end of his prison sentence
Alaa Abd el-Fattah must be released on Sunday, 29 September at the end of his five year prison sentence.
Access Now and KICTANet’s joint memorandum on Kenya’s Assembly and Demonstrations Bill, 2024
Venezuela: digital id as a tool of oppression
Egypt authorities must release activist Mohamed Adel
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.