Surveillance

STANDING UP TO SURVEILLANCE

We fight surveillance laws, policies, and practices that undermine human rights. From investigating spyware attacks that target human rights defenders to fighting biometric surveillance systems that put entire communities at risk, we work to hold manufacturers and investors accountable for the impact of dangerous surveillance tech and push for strict regulations to prevent widespread abuse.

Ban Biometric Surveillance

Some surveillance technologies are so dangerous that they inevitably cause far more problems than they solve. The use of facial recognition and remote biometric technologies in publicly accessible spaces enables mass surveillance and discriminatory targeted surveillance.

Resources

Spyware: a threat to human rights and democracy

Data Protection

Geneva Declaration: international community unites to end spyware abuse

Access Now and the Government of Catalonia are calling for an end to the proliferation of surveillance tech through the Geneva Declaration.

Musk

Digital Security

New guide: surveillance technology investors face significant risks if human rights are ignored

A new guide on effective due diligence will help shareholders with investments in surveillance technology prevent and mitigate human rights risks.

Voice recognition tech header image|voice recognition technology social card image

Data Protection

Sonic surveillance: why you don’t want AI snooping on you

The threat voice recognition technology poses to our rights needs to be addressed now — before our voices become yet another piece of biometric data to be used against us.

Más allá de Pegasus: políticas públicas contra periodistas y sociedad civil en El Salvador

Digital Security

Unsafe anywhere: attacked by Pegasus, women activists speak out

Front Line Defenders and Access Now’s new report, “Unsafe anywhere: women human rights defenders speak out about Pegasus attacks,” unpacks the first-hand experiences of women navigating an increasingly hostile and dangerous environment.

U.S. blocklists Sandvine for enabling digital repression in Egypt

Digital Security

MENA Surveillance Coalition: stop all surveillance tech sales to the region’s autocratic governments

The MENA Surveillance Coalition is demanding the immediate end to the sale of surveillance technology to Middle East and North Africa’s (MENA) autocratic governments.

Latest Updates

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 
Armenia spyware victims: Pegasus hacking in war
Surveillance
Surveillance

Thai court dismisses activist’s closely watched lawsuit against spyware maker

25 Nov 2024
News
Thai court dismisses activist’s closely watched lawsuit against spyware maker
The Record ↗
25 Nov 2024
Thai court dismisses activist’s closely watched lawsuit against spyware maker
UN Cybercrime Treaty: FAQ on necessary reforms
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity

Report cybersecurity cases within 6 hrs: DoT India notifies rules

25 Nov 2024
News
Report cybersecurity cases within 6 hrs: DoT India notifies rules
Hindustan Times ↗
25 Nov 2024
Report cybersecurity cases within 6 hrs: DoT India notifies rules
ICC arrest warrants for Israeli leaders put Big Tech on notice
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence

Access Now: İsrail’in Filistin’e yönelik dijital işgaline karşı mücadele

21 Nov 2024
News
Access Now: İsrail’in Filistin’e yönelik dijital işgaline karşı mücadele
Bianet ↗
21 Nov 2024
Access Now: İsrail’in Filistin’e yönelik dijital işgaline karşı mücadele
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
Hacking Meduza: Pegasus spyware used to target Putin’s critic
Surveillance
Surveillance

Testimony from NSO Group raises questions about its culpability for spyware abuses

20 Nov 2024
News
Testimony from NSO Group raises questions about its culpability for spyware abuses
The Record ↗
20 Nov 2024
Testimony from NSO Group raises questions about its culpability for spyware abuses
Hacking Meduza: Pegasus spyware used to target Putin’s critic
Surveillance
Surveillance

NSO Group admits cutting off 10 customers because they abused its Pegasus spyware, say unsealed court documents

18 Nov 2024
News
NSO Group admits cutting off 10 customers because they abused its Pegasus spyware, say unsealed court documents
TechCrunch ↗
18 Nov 2024
NSO Group admits cutting off 10 customers because they abused its Pegasus spyware, say unsealed court documents
Surveillance
Surveillance

DHS must come clean on contract with spyware purveyor paragon solutions

4 Nov 2024

Access Now and partner civil society organizations calls on the Department of Homeland Security to release details about its $2 million contract with Paragon Solutions (US) Inc.

Press Release
DHS must come clean on contract with spyware purveyor paragon solutions
4 Nov 2024
DHS must come clean on contract with spyware purveyor paragon solutions
U.S. blocklists Sandvine for enabling digital repression in Egypt
Surveillance
Surveillance

Human rights groups question Sandvine’s commitment to change

4 Nov 2024
News
Human rights groups question Sandvine’s commitment to change
The Record ↗
4 Nov 2024
Human rights groups question Sandvine’s commitment to change
Manual Del Pequeñx Vigilado Header
Data Protection
Data Protection

Manual da Pessoa Vigiada

31 Oct 2024

O Manual da Pessoa Vigiada é um guia para ajudá-lo a navegar no sistema judiciário caso você seja detido injustamente por sistemas biométricos.

Guide
Manual da Pessoa Vigiada
31 Oct 2024
Manual da Pessoa Vigiada
U.S. blocklists Sandvine for enabling digital repression in Egypt
Surveillance
Surveillance

Sandvine must make good on its commitments and stop harming human rights

31 Oct 2024

Access Now, along with partner civil society organizations and experts, demand evidence of the adequacy and effectiveness of Sandvine’s announced reforms.

Press Release
Sandvine must make good on its commitments and stop harming human rights
31 Oct 2024
Sandvine must make good on its commitments and stop harming human rights
Armenia spyware victims: Pegasus hacking in war
Surveillance
Surveillance

Sandvine now removed from U.S. entity list

30 Oct 2024
News
Sandvine now removed from U.S. entity list
The Record ↗
30 Oct 2024
Sandvine now removed from U.S. entity list
Proceed with caution: Sandvine removed from U.S. Entity List
Surveillance
Surveillance

Proceed with caution: Sandvine removed from U.S. Entity List despite poor human rights track record, Access Now urges continued scrutiny

23 Oct 2024
Press Release
Proceed with caution: Sandvine removed from U.S. Entity List despite poor human rights track record, Access Now urges continued scrutiny
23 Oct 2024
Proceed with caution: Sandvine removed from U.S. Entity List despite poor human rights track record, Access Now urges continued scrutiny
U.S. blocklists Sandvine for enabling digital repression in Egypt
Surveillance
Surveillance

ICE’s $2 million contract with a spyware vendor is under White House review

22 Oct 2024
News
ICE’s $2 million contract with a spyware vendor is under White House review
WIRED ↗
22 Oct 2024
ICE’s $2 million contract with a spyware vendor is under White House review
Big Tech and the risk of Genocide in Gaza
Surveillance
Surveillance

Big Tech and the risk of genocide in Gaza: what are companies doing?

10 Oct 2024

Big Tech is playing a central role in enabling the relentless mass slaughter and destruction unleashed in the war in Gaza.

Post
Big Tech and the risk of genocide in Gaza: what are companies doing?
10 Oct 2024
Big Tech and the risk of genocide in Gaza: what are companies doing?
EU Human Rights Agenda
Surveillance
Surveillance

Five years for fundamental rights: Access Now’s vision for an EU digital rights agenda

3 Oct 2024

As the EU’s new 2024-2029 mandate begins, we invite EU policymakers to join us on our mission of defending and extending digital rights of people and communities at risk around the world.

Publication
Five years for fundamental rights: Access Now’s vision for an EU digital rights agenda
3 Oct 2024
Five years for fundamental rights: Access Now’s vision for an EU digital rights agenda