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
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.
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.
As the WEF meets, pressure is on world’s powerbrokers to shut down spyware industry
Brett Solomon, Daily Maverick
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.
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.
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
Joint Statement: Passport and visa systems must not exclude members of the human rights community from cross-border convenings
These discriminatory systems prevent human rights defenders from coming together to advance their work, bring severe hardship and harm to those impacted, and unjustly place the heaviest burden on people from the Global Majority. Join us in taking a stand.
Protect LGBTQ+ Digital Rights
Pegasus spyware in the Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict
Invisible, persecuted and in exile: How journalists are resisting in Central America
The Wiretap: Spyware In Warfare
This newly-discovered malware could disrupt power generation — and do physical damage
Pegasus Spyware Is Detected in a War Zone for the First Time
NSO spyware used in Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, report finds
Spyware in warfare: Access Now documents first-time use of Pegasus tech in Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict
Breaking: NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware is being used as a weapon in the Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict.
Hacking in a war zone: Pegasus spyware in the Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict
A joint investigation by civil society and independent researchers has uncovered hacking of Armenia spyware victims with NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware.
‘Despicable’ iPhone Hacks In Armenia Find NSO Spyware ‘In Active Warzone’
Azerbaijan Suspected in Hacking of Armenian Officials With Israeli NSO Spyware
Armenians hacked with Pegasus spyware during war: NGO
السعودية: على “مايكروسوفت” تعليق خطط مركز البيانات
ننضم إلى المجتمع المدني في دعوتنا لشركة مايكروسوفت بتعليق خططها لمراكز البيانات في المملكة العربية السعودية إلى أن تُبيّن الشركة كيف ستخفف الانتهاكات الحقوقية المحتملة.
Saudi Arabia: Microsoft should suspend data center plans
We join civil society in calling on Microsoft to suspend its data center plans in Saudia Arabia until it can demonstrate how it will mitigate potential rights abuses.
Nowhere to turn: How surveillance tech at the EU borders is endangering lives
Surveillance tech at the EU borders is endangering lives. Authorities must #ProtectNotSurveil people on the move.