News & Updates

News & updates

Stay up to date with Access Now’s latest news, analysis, reports, events, community resources, and more. For a weekly digest in your inbox, subscribe to the Access Now Express, or scroll down to see the latest.

Sweden
Digital Security
Digital SecurityPostGlobalEnglish

Why client-side scanning on encrypted platforms is a lose-lose proposition 

3 Jul 2025

Regulators worldwide have been pushing client-side scanning (CSS) as a way to examine encrypted communications. But this system still undermines people’s privacy and security by circumventing end-to-end encryption, as we explain.

Post
Why client-side scanning on encrypted platforms is a lose-lose proposition 
3 Jul 2025
Why client-side scanning on encrypted platforms is a lose-lose proposition 
#KeepItOn Annobón Shutdown Stories
Internet Shutdowns
Internet ShutdownsPress ReleaseAfricaSpanish

#KeepItOn pide a la Comisión Africana de Derechos Humanos y de los Pueblos que ayude a poner fin al apagón de internet en Annóbon

3 Jul 2025

Nos dirigimos a usted, Comisionada Topsy-Sonoo, a la Comisión Africana de Derechos Humanos y de los Pueblos, y a los Estados parte de la Carta Africana, para que condenen las violaciones de derechos humanos cometidas por el gobierno de Guinea Ecuatorial, denuncien el prolongado apagón, y contribuyan a restablecer el acceso al internet en Annobón.

Press Release
#KeepItOn pide a la Comisión Africana de Derechos Humanos y de los Pueblos que ayude a poner fin al apagón de internet en Annóbon
3 Jul 2025
#KeepItOn pide a la Comisión Africana de Derechos Humanos y de los Pueblos que ayude a poner fin al apagón de internet en Annóbon
#KeepItOn Annobón Shutdown Stories
Internet Shutdowns
Internet ShutdownsPress ReleaseAfricaEnglish

#KeepItOn call on the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to help end the shutdown in Annobón

3 Jul 2025

We are petitioning you, Commissioner Topsy-Sonoo, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and individual state signatories to the African Charter to condemn the Equatorial Guinea government’s human rights violations, the prolonged shutdown, and to help reestablish internet access in Annobón.  

Press Release
#KeepItOn call on the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to help end the shutdown in Annobón
3 Jul 2025
#KeepItOn call on the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to help end the shutdown in Annobón
#KeepItOn Annobón Shutdown Stories
Internet Shutdowns
Internet ShutdownsPress ReleaseAfricaSpanish

La coalición #KeepItOn intensifica su campaña para detener el apagón de internet que sufre Annobón

3 Jul 2025

Access Now y la coalición #KeepItOn han lanzado hoy una campaña para movilizar el apoyo internacional y exigir el fin del actual apagón de internet en Annobón, una provincia insular de Guinea Ecuatorial.

Press Release
La coalición #KeepItOn intensifica su campaña para detener el apagón de internet que sufre Annobón
3 Jul 2025
La coalición #KeepItOn intensifica su campaña para detener el apagón de internet que sufre Annobón
#KeepItOn Annobón Shutdown Stories
Internet Shutdowns
Internet ShutdownsPress ReleaseAfricaEnglish

#KeepItOn coalition ramps up campaign to end prolonged shutdown in Annobón

3 Jul 2025

Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition have today launched a campaign to galvanize international support in demanding an end to the ongoing internet shutdown in Annobón, an island province of Equatorial Guinea.

Press Release
#KeepItOn coalition ramps up campaign to end prolonged shutdown in Annobón
3 Jul 2025
#KeepItOn coalition ramps up campaign to end prolonged shutdown in Annobón
Images representing shutdown stories surrounding the island of Annobón
Internet Shutdowns
Internet ShutdownsPostAfricaEnglish

Why Annobón’s internet shutdown should matter to the world

3 Jul 2025

The ongoing internet shutdown in Annobón has cut off 5,300 residents from each other, from their loved ones abroad, and from the world, even as the government of Equatorial Guinea continues cracking down on dissent.

Post
Why Annobón’s internet shutdown should matter to the world
3 Jul 2025
Why Annobón’s internet shutdown should matter to the world
Images representing shutdown stories surrounding the island of Annobón
Internet Shutdowns
Internet ShutdownsPostAfricaSpanish

¿Por qué el apagón de internet en Annobón debería importarle a todo el mundo?

3 Jul 2025

El contínuo apagón digital en Annobón ha dejado a 5,300 residentes sin poder comunicarse entre ellos, con sus familiares afuera y con el resto del mundo, incluso mientras el gobierno de Guinea Ecuatorial continúa reprimiendo la disidencia.

Post
¿Por qué el apagón de internet en Annobón debería importarle a todo el mundo?
3 Jul 2025
¿Por qué el apagón de internet en Annobón debería importarle a todo el mundo?
Rightscon logo 2024
PostAfrica

Request for proposals: production firm for RightsCon 2026

30 Jun 2025
Post
Request for proposals: production firm for RightsCon 2026
30 Jun 2025
Request for proposals: production firm for RightsCon 2026
Togo elections internet access
Internet Shutdowns
Internet ShutdownsPress ReleaseGlobalEnglish

Joint statement on protecting human rights online and preventing internet shutdowns in times of armed conflict

27 Jun 2025
Press Release
Joint statement on protecting human rights online and preventing internet shutdowns in times of armed conflict
27 Jun 2025
Joint statement on protecting human rights online and preventing internet shutdowns in times of armed conflict
Mozambique #KeepItOn
Internet Shutdowns
Internet ShutdownsPress ReleaseAfricaEnglish

Kenya must obey court orders and #KeepItOn during protests

26 Jun 2025

We demand that Kenyan authorities uphold human rights, restore full internet access, and refrain from imposing any future shutdowns in the country.

Press Release
Kenya must obey court orders and #KeepItOn during protests
26 Jun 2025
Kenya must obey court orders and #KeepItOn during protests
Togo elections internet access
Internet Shutdowns
Internet ShutdownsPress ReleaseLatin America & the CaribbeanSpanish

Panamá debe restablecer el acceso a Internet y telefonía móvil en Bocas del Toro de forma inmediata

26 Jun 2025
Press Release
Panamá debe restablecer el acceso a Internet y telefonía móvil en Bocas del Toro de forma inmediata
26 Jun 2025
Panamá debe restablecer el acceso a Internet y telefonía móvil en Bocas del Toro de forma inmediata
Freedom of expression
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of ExpressionPress ReleaseBahrainEnglish

Bahrain: halt repressive amendments to the press law

25 Jun 2025

Access Now calls on Bahrain’s Shura Council to reject the government’s proposed amendments to the Law on Press, Printing, and Publishing.

Press Release
Bahrain: halt repressive amendments to the press law
25 Jun 2025
Bahrain: halt repressive amendments to the press law
Israel’s Adequacy
Data Protection
Data ProtectionPress ReleaseEuropeEnglish

One year later: NGOs renew pressure over EU-Israel data adequacy

24 Jun 2025

EU urged to reconsider Israel’s data adequacy due to new laws, human rights violations in Gaza, and failure to meet GDPR and CJEU standards.

Press Release
One year later: NGOs renew pressure over EU-Israel data adequacy
24 Jun 2025
One year later: NGOs renew pressure over EU-Israel data adequacy
Israel Gaza
Internet Shutdowns
Internet ShutdownsPress ReleaseMiddle East & North AfricaJapanese

#KeepItOn:イスラエルはガザの国際社会からの遮断をやめよ

22 Jun 2025

私たちは、イスラエル当局とすべての関係者に対し、ガザにおけるインターネットと通信サービスへの完全なアクセスを回復するよう求める。

Press Release
#KeepItOn:イスラエルはガザの国際社会からの遮断をやめよ
22 Jun 2025
#KeepItOn:イスラエルはガザの国際社会からの遮断をやめよ
Israel Gaza
Internet Shutdowns
Internet ShutdownsPress ReleaseMiddle East & North AfricaEnglish

#KeepItOn: Israel must stop cutting Gaza off from the world

19 Jun 2025

We call on authorities in Israel and all relevant actors to restore full access to internet and communication services in Gaza.

Press Release
#KeepItOn: Israel must stop cutting Gaza off from the world
19 Jun 2025
#KeepItOn: Israel must stop cutting Gaza off from the world
NSO
Surveillance
SurveillancePress ReleaseEurope

Paragon: stop spyware abuse and deliver justice to victims

19 Jun 2025
Press Release
Paragon: stop spyware abuse and deliver justice to victims
19 Jun 2025
Paragon: stop spyware abuse and deliver justice to victims
Paragon spyware
Surveillance
SurveillancePress ReleaseEuropeEnglish

Paragon must answer for spyware use against civil society and journalists

19 Jun 2025

Access Now calls on Paragon to answer for the use of its spyware in Italy against journalists, and to address oversight failures.

Press Release
Paragon must answer for spyware use against civil society and journalists
19 Jun 2025
Paragon must answer for spyware use against civil society and journalists
Palestine Israel Digital Ceasefire; Gaza’s internet
Internet Shutdowns
Internet ShutdownsPostAsia Pacific

Digital ceasefire: the path to peace goes online

19 Jun 2025

In today’s era of digital warfare, digital ceasefires are cornerstones on the pathway to peace. Access Now has been working with peace-building experts to discuss exactly what a digital ceasefire should look like.

Post
Digital ceasefire: the path to peace goes online
19 Jun 2025
Digital ceasefire: the path to peace goes online
Protect Not Surveil Socials
Surveillance
SurveillancePress ReleaseEurope

The EU must stop the digitalisation of the deportation regime and withdraw the new Return Regulation

18 Jun 2025

On March 11, 2025, the European Commission published a new legislative proposal for a ‘Return Regulation’ which is set to expand the detention and deportation of migrant people, including children, in the EU.

Press Release
The EU must stop the digitalisation of the deportation regime and withdraw the new Return Regulation
18 Jun 2025
The EU must stop the digitalisation of the deportation regime and withdraw the new Return Regulation
Armenia spyware victims: Pegasus hacking in war
Surveillance
SurveillancePress ReleaseEuropeEnglish

No normalising spyware: Italy admits use, but not the full extent

6 Jun 2025
Press Release
No normalising spyware: Italy admits use, but not the full extent
6 Jun 2025
No normalising spyware: Italy admits use, but not the full extent

Access Now in the news

DPI Digital Public Infrastructure
Digital Identity Systems

Lograr el consentimiento ciudadano y bases de datos en riesgo, retos de la CURP biométrica

6 Jul 2025
News
Lograr el consentimiento ciudadano y bases de datos en riesgo, retos de la CURP biométrica
Animal Político ↗
6 Jul 2025
Lograr el consentimiento ciudadano y bases de datos en riesgo, retos de la CURP biométrica
Kenyan government violations of rights

Kenya’s digital crackdown having ‘chilling’ effect on rights

26 Jun 2025
News
Kenya’s digital crackdown having ‘chilling’ effect on rights
Reuters ↗
26 Jun 2025
Kenya’s digital crackdown having ‘chilling’ effect on rights
AI Action Summit

Will India’s AI Action Summit redefine global AI governance?

23 Jun 2025
News
Will India’s AI Action Summit redefine global AI governance?
The Economic Times ↗
23 Jun 2025
Will India’s AI Action Summit redefine global AI governance?
elections

A woman tried to call her mom in Iran. A robotic voice answered the phone

23 Jun 2025
News
A woman tried to call her mom in Iran. A robotic voice answered the phone
Associated Press ↗
23 Jun 2025
A woman tried to call her mom in Iran. A robotic voice answered the phone
elections

Iran’s internet blackout leaves public in dark and creates an uneven picture of the war with Israel

23 Jun 2025
News
Iran’s internet blackout leaves public in dark and creates an uneven picture of the war with Israel
Associated Press ↗
23 Jun 2025
Iran’s internet blackout leaves public in dark and creates an uneven picture of the war with Israel

Your VPN could be giving your browsing data to China, watchdog says

12 Jun 2025
News
Your VPN could be giving your browsing data to China, watchdog says
NBC News ↗
12 Jun 2025
Your VPN could be giving your browsing data to China, watchdog says
TikTok

Gaza: censura digital en plataformas de Meta

10 Jun 2025
News
Gaza: censura digital en plataformas de Meta
RTVE ↗
10 Jun 2025
Gaza: censura digital en plataformas de Meta
Access Now theme-1340x360

Access Now: “Current geopolitical trends and untenable budget contractions have exacerbated threats to digital rights.”

10 Jun 2025
News
Access Now: “Current geopolitical trends and untenable budget contractions have exacerbated threats to digital rights.”
Common Good Cyber ↗
10 Jun 2025
Access Now: “Current geopolitical trends and untenable budget contractions have exacerbated threats to digital rights.”

High-tech Hajj: More safety but less privacy, spirituality?

4 Jun 2025
News
High-tech Hajj: More safety but less privacy, spirituality?
Deutsche Welle ↗
4 Jun 2025
High-tech Hajj: More safety but less privacy, spirituality?
VPN Ban

“Unnecessary and disproportionate” – Experts slam 2-month VPN ban enforced in India

30 May 2025
News
“Unnecessary and disproportionate” – Experts slam 2-month VPN ban enforced in India
Tech Radar ↗
30 May 2025
“Unnecessary and disproportionate” – Experts slam 2-month VPN ban enforced in India

A ‘Historic’ Ruling in the US: Did the West Turn Less Wild for Mercenary Spyware?

30 May 2025
News
A ‘Historic’ Ruling in the US: Did the West Turn Less Wild for Mercenary Spyware?
Turning Point ↗
30 May 2025
A ‘Historic’ Ruling in the US: Did the West Turn Less Wild for Mercenary Spyware?
Protect Not Surveil

Europol avrà sempre più potere in Europa

22 May 2025
News
Europol avrà sempre più potere in Europa
WIRED ↗
22 May 2025
Europol avrà sempre più potere in Europa

Chinese technology capable of mass surveillance ‘installed’ by Myanmar internet company funded by UK

21 May 2025
News
Chinese technology capable of mass surveillance ‘installed’ by Myanmar internet company funded by UK
Finance Uncovered ↗
21 May 2025
Chinese technology capable of mass surveillance ‘installed’ by Myanmar internet company funded by UK
a web of connected eyes on a purple and blue background
Surveillance

IOM’s digital tool aims to speed up migrant removals, but at what cost?

19 May 2025
News
IOM’s digital tool aims to speed up migrant removals, but at what cost?
The New Humanitarian ↗
19 May 2025
IOM’s digital tool aims to speed up migrant removals, but at what cost?
South Sudan #KeepItOn
Internet Shutdowns

Russian internet shutdown that disrupted essential services condemned by rights groups

14 May 2025
News
Russian internet shutdown that disrupted essential services condemned by rights groups
The Record ↗
14 May 2025
Russian internet shutdown that disrupted essential services condemned by rights groups
AI Action Summit
Artificial Intelligence

AI will help make ‘life-or-death’ calls in rammed UK asylum system

13 May 2025
News
AI will help make ‘life-or-death’ calls in rammed UK asylum system
Context ↗
13 May 2025
AI will help make ‘life-or-death’ calls in rammed UK asylum system

Events

Join us at an upcoming event hosted by Access Now or our partners, and reach out to connect with us in person or online.

Web Summit Vancouver

Access Now at Web Summit Vancouver

May 28 All day

Event
Access Now at Web Summit Vancouver

May 28 All day

Access Now at Web Summit Vancouver
Image: AI's human rights impact
Artificial Intelligence

Inter-American approach to the AI international regulatory landscape

May 6 @ 4:00 pm 6:00 pm CEST

Event
Inter-American approach to the AI international regulatory landscape

May 6 @ 4:00 pm 6:00 pm CEST

Inter-American approach to the AI international regulatory landscape
Freedom of Expression

Strategic Workshop of the DSA Human Rights Alliance

May 5 @ 4:00 pm 6:00 pm CEST

Event
Strategic Workshop of the DSA Human Rights Alliance

May 5 @ 4:00 pm 6:00 pm CEST

Strategic Workshop of the DSA Human Rights Alliance
Freedom of Expression

Situation of Press Freedom in Tunisia

May 5 @ 8:00 am 1:00 pm UTC+1

Event
Situation of Press Freedom in Tunisia

May 5 @ 8:00 am 1:00 pm UTC+1

Situation of Press Freedom in Tunisia