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.

FIVE YEARS UNDER THE EU GDPR: BECOMING AN ENFORCEMENT SUCCESS
Data Protection
Data ProtectionPublication

Five years under the GDPR: An implementation progress report

2 Jun 2023
Publication
Five years under the GDPR: An implementation progress report
2 Jun 2023
Five years under the GDPR: An implementation progress report
#KeepItOn in Senegal
Internet Shutdowns
Internet ShutdownsPress ReleaseAfricaEnglish

Keep people connected in Senegal

2 Jun 2023

Access Now calls on the government of Senegal to immediately restore access to WhatsApp and Twitter, and keep people connected.

Press Release
Keep people connected in Senegal
2 Jun 2023
Keep people connected in Senegal
Access Now and partners call on the Indian government to review the current legal and regulatory framework governing internet shutdowns.
Internet Shutdowns
Internet ShutdownsPress ReleaseAfricaEnglish

Internet shutdown in Mauritania: stop the abuse, turn it on

31 May 2023

Following reports of a nationwide block on mobile internet access in Mauritania, Access Now urges authorities to immediately reconnect the country. 

Press Release
Internet shutdown in Mauritania: stop the abuse, turn it on
31 May 2023
Internet shutdown in Mauritania: stop the abuse, turn it on
Digital Security
Digital SecurityPostEuropeEnglish

From crisis to conflict, we must defend digital rights when people need them most

29 May 2023

People feel restrictions on digital rights most intensely in situations of crisis, conflict, or disaster. Here’s how we are safeguarding people’s digital rights in times of both war and peace.

Post
From crisis to conflict, we must defend digital rights when people need them most
29 May 2023
From crisis to conflict, we must defend digital rights when people need them most
||
Transparency
TransparencyPostAsia PacificEnglish

Alphabet shareholders want more transparency, less complacency

25 May 2023
Post
Alphabet shareholders want more transparency, less complacency
25 May 2023
Alphabet shareholders want more transparency, less complacency
Spyware Armenia
Surveillance
SurveillancePress ReleaseEastern Europe & Central Asia

Spyware in warfare: Access Now documents first-time use of Pegasus tech in Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict

25 May 2023

Breaking: NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware is being used as a weapon in the Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict.

Press Release
Spyware in warfare: Access Now documents first-time use of Pegasus tech in Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict
25 May 2023
Spyware in warfare: Access Now documents first-time use of Pegasus tech in Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict
Armenia spyware victims: Pegasus hacking in war
Surveillance
SurveillancePublicationArmeniaEnglish

Hacking in a war zone: Pegasus spyware in the Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict

25 May 2023

A joint investigation by civil society and independent researchers has uncovered hacking of Armenia spyware victims with NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware.

Publication
Hacking in a war zone: Pegasus spyware in the Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict
25 May 2023
Hacking in a war zone: Pegasus spyware in the Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict
Algorithmic accountability
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial IntelligencePostGlobalEnglish

What you need to know about generative AI and human rights

24 May 2023

Generative AI has been all over the headlines. But what are the human rights implications? Get the facts in our generative AI FAQ.

Post
What you need to know about generative AI and human rights
24 May 2023
What you need to know about generative AI and human rights
Ethiopian government internet
Internet Shutdowns
Internet ShutdownsPress ReleaseAfricaFrench

Arrêtez de couper l’internet en Guinée : les autorités doivent garder internet accessible pendant les manifestations

24 May 2023

Access Now et la coalition #KeepItOn condamnent fermement les coupures d’internet et la censure des médias dans le pays.

Press Release
Arrêtez de couper l’internet en Guinée : les autorités doivent garder internet accessible pendant les manifestations
24 May 2023
Arrêtez de couper l’internet en Guinée : les autorités doivent garder internet accessible pendant les manifestations
Tunisia digitization programs
Digital Identity Systems
Digital Identity SystemsPress ReleaseAfrica

Past learnings must be ‘at the heart of implementing’ a digital identity system in Kenya

24 May 2023
Press Release
Past learnings must be ‘at the heart of implementing’ a digital identity system in Kenya
24 May 2023
Past learnings must be ‘at the heart of implementing’ a digital identity system in Kenya
Corporate transparency Social card
Privacy
PrivacyPost

Meta shareholders to company leaders: your business model hurts human rights

23 May 2023

As the annual shareholder meeting approaches, Meta shareholders ask leadership to review the company’s targeted advertising business model and protect human rights.

Post
Meta shareholders to company leaders: your business model hurts human rights
23 May 2023
Meta shareholders to company leaders: your business model hurts human rights
|Human rights problem with Google Cloud Platform in Saudi Arabia - Twitter thumbnail
Surveillance
SurveillancePress ReleaseMiddle East & North AfricaArabic

السعودية: على “مايكروسوفت” تعليق خطط مركز البيانات

23 May 2023

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.

Press Release
السعودية: على “مايكروسوفت” تعليق خطط مركز البيانات
23 May 2023
السعودية: على “مايكروسوفت” تعليق خطط مركز البيانات
|Human rights problem with Google Cloud Platform in Saudi Arabia - Twitter thumbnail
Surveillance
SurveillancePress ReleaseMiddle East & North AfricaEnglish

Saudi Arabia: Microsoft should suspend data center plans

23 May 2023

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.

Press Release
Saudi Arabia: Microsoft should suspend data center plans
23 May 2023
Saudi Arabia: Microsoft should suspend data center plans
NoExamShutdown-Campaign-Header-Arabic
Internet Shutdowns
Internet ShutdownsPress ReleaseIraqEnglish

رسالة مفتوحة: على رئيس الوزراء العراقي أن يلتزم في جلسة مجلس الوزراء المقبلة بوعده بعدم #قطع_الإنترنت، ووضع حدّ لعمليات حجب الإنترنت أثناء الامتحانات

23 May 2023

رسالة إلى رئيس الوزراء العراقي للمطالبة بعدم حجب الانترنت خلال امتحانات الشهر المقبل.

Press Release
رسالة مفتوحة: على رئيس الوزراء العراقي أن يلتزم في جلسة مجلس الوزراء المقبلة بوعده بعدم #قطع_الإنترنت، ووضع حدّ لعمليات حجب الإنترنت أثناء الامتحانات
23 May 2023
رسالة مفتوحة: على رئيس الوزراء العراقي أن يلتزم في جلسة مجلس الوزراء المقبلة بوعده بعدم #قطع_الإنترنت، ووضع حدّ لعمليات حجب الإنترنت أثناء الامتحانات
surveillance tech at the EU borders
Privacy
PrivacyPublicationEuropeEnglish

Nowhere to turn: How surveillance tech at the EU borders is endangering lives

23 May 2023

Surveillance tech at the EU borders is endangering lives. Authorities must #ProtectNotSurveil people on the move.

Publication
Nowhere to turn: How surveillance tech at the EU borders is endangering lives
23 May 2023
Nowhere to turn: How surveillance tech at the EU borders is endangering lives
#NoExamShutdown
Internet Shutdowns
Internet ShutdownsPress ReleaseIraqEnglish

Open Letter: The Prime Minister of Iraq must commit to #KeepItOn at the upcoming cabinet meeting, and put an end to internet shutdowns during exams

22 May 2023

Access Now and partners send a letter to the Iraqi Prime Minister to #KeepItOn during next month’s exams.

Press Release
Open Letter: The Prime Minister of Iraq must commit to #KeepItOn at the upcoming cabinet meeting, and put an end to internet shutdowns during exams
22 May 2023
Open Letter: The Prime Minister of Iraq must commit to #KeepItOn at the upcoming cabinet meeting, and put an end to internet shutdowns during exams
Comunicado conjunto contra la persecución de Oscar Costero
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of ExpressionPress ReleaseLatin AmericaSpanish

Comunicado conjunto contra la persecución de Oscar Costero

22 May 2023
Press Release
Comunicado conjunto contra la persecución de Oscar Costero
22 May 2023
Comunicado conjunto contra la persecución de Oscar Costero
Comunicado conjunto contra la persecución de Oscar Costero
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of ExpressionPress ReleaseLatin AmericaSpanish

Organizaciones de sociedad civil denuncian la persecución del activista venezolano Oscar Costero

22 May 2023
Press Release
Organizaciones de sociedad civil denuncian la persecución del activista venezolano Oscar Costero
22 May 2023
Organizaciones de sociedad civil denuncian la persecución del activista venezolano Oscar Costero
Data Protection
Data ProtectionPostEuropeEnglish

Access Now at CPDP 2023: where to find us

22 May 2023

If you’re attending the annual Computers, Privacy & Data Protection (CPDP) conference, find out more about where to find Access Now on the ground.

Post
Access Now at CPDP 2023: where to find us
22 May 2023
Access Now at CPDP 2023: where to find us
Ethiopian government internet
Internet Shutdowns
Internet ShutdownsPress ReleaseAfrica

Stop shutting down the internet in Guinea: authorities must #KeepItOn amidst protest

22 May 2023

Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition strongly condemn the internet shutdowns and media censorship in the country.

Press Release
Stop shutting down the internet in Guinea: authorities must #KeepItOn amidst protest
22 May 2023
Stop shutting down the internet in Guinea: authorities must #KeepItOn amidst protest

Access Now in the news

Armenia spyware victims: Pegasus hacking in war

Why tech tycoons are ignoring the clear and present dangers of AI

2 Jun 2023
News
Why tech tycoons are ignoring the clear and present dangers of AI
Ellery Roberts Biddle ↗
2 Jun 2023
Why tech tycoons are ignoring the clear and present dangers of AI
I Love Digital Rights Social Card

New and emerging technologies need urgent oversight and robust transparency: UN experts

2 Jun 2023
News
New and emerging technologies need urgent oversight and robust transparency: UN experts
OHCHR ↗
2 Jun 2023
New and emerging technologies need urgent oversight and robust transparency: UN experts
Armenia spyware victims: Pegasus hacking in war
Surveillance

The Wiretap: Spyware In Warfare

30 May 2023
News
The Wiretap: Spyware In Warfare
Thomas Brewster ↗
30 May 2023
The Wiretap: Spyware In Warfare
Transparency

Shareholders seek action on Meta’s ‘political entanglement’ in India

27 May 2023
News
Shareholders seek action on Meta’s ‘political entanglement’ in India
27 May 2023
Shareholders seek action on Meta’s ‘political entanglement’ in India
Access Now theme-1340x360

RightsCon Costa Rica: conozca la convención que traerá a directivos de WhatsApp y Signal

26 May 2023
News
RightsCon Costa Rica: conozca la convención que traerá a directivos de WhatsApp y Signal
Jorge Arturo Mora ↗
26 May 2023
RightsCon Costa Rica: conozca la convención que traerá a directivos de WhatsApp y Signal
Press under Attack – Digital Strategies to Intimidate Journalists in Latin America
Surveillance

This newly-discovered malware could disrupt power generation — and do physical damage

26 May 2023
News
This newly-discovered malware could disrupt power generation — and do physical damage
Tim Starks ↗
26 May 2023
This newly-discovered malware could disrupt power generation — and do physical damage
Surveillance

Pegasus Spyware Is Detected in a War Zone for the First Time

25 May 2023
News
Pegasus Spyware Is Detected in a War Zone for the First Time
Vittoria Elliott ↗
25 May 2023
Pegasus Spyware Is Detected in a War Zone for the First Time
Armenia spyware victims: Pegasus hacking in war
Surveillance

NSO spyware used in Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, report finds

25 May 2023
News
NSO spyware used in Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, report finds
Kevin Collier ↗
25 May 2023
NSO spyware used in Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, report finds
TikTok
Freedom of Expression

Social Media Law in Vietnam Seen as Damaging to Online Debate

25 May 2023
News
Social Media Law in Vietnam Seen as Damaging to Online Debate
Liam Scott ↗
25 May 2023
Social Media Law in Vietnam Seen as Damaging to Online Debate
Spyware Armenia

Researchers find Israeli-made spyware deployed across Armenia

25 May 2023
News
Researchers find Israeli-made spyware deployed across Armenia
Raphael Satter & James Pearson ↗
25 May 2023
Researchers find Israeli-made spyware deployed across Armenia
Armenia spyware victims: Pegasus hacking in war

United Nations official and others in Armenia hacked by NSO Group spyware

25 May 2023
News
United Nations official and others in Armenia hacked by NSO Group spyware
Stephanie Kirchgaessner ↗
25 May 2023
United Nations official and others in Armenia hacked by NSO Group spyware
Surveillance

‘Despicable’ iPhone Hacks In Armenia Find NSO Spyware ‘In Active Warzone’

25 May 2023
News
‘Despicable’ iPhone Hacks In Armenia Find NSO Spyware ‘In Active Warzone’
Thomas Brewster ↗
25 May 2023
‘Despicable’ iPhone Hacks In Armenia Find NSO Spyware ‘In Active Warzone’
Armenia spyware victims: Pegasus hacking in war
Surveillance

Azerbaijan Suspected in Hacking of Armenian Officials With Israeli NSO Spyware

25 May 2023
News
Azerbaijan Suspected in Hacking of Armenian Officials With Israeli NSO Spyware
Oded Yaron ↗
25 May 2023
Azerbaijan Suspected in Hacking of Armenian Officials With Israeli NSO Spyware
Surveillance

Armenians hacked with Pegasus spyware during war: NGO

25 May 2023
News
Armenians hacked with Pegasus spyware during war: NGO
Joseph Boyle ↗
25 May 2023
Armenians hacked with Pegasus spyware during war: NGO
Guide: How to get rid of targeted ads on TikTok (only in the EU)
Freedom of Expression

Vietnam pressures TikTok to censor more content or face a ban

24 May 2023
News
Vietnam pressures TikTok to censor more content or face a ban
Lam Le ↗
24 May 2023
Vietnam pressures TikTok to censor more content or face a ban
Ecuador, latitud cero para el ciberpatrullaje
Surveillance

A day of bad news for spyware makers

23 May 2023
News
A day of bad news for spyware makers
Tim Starks ↗
23 May 2023
A day of bad news for spyware makers

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.

Secret surveillance: countering spyware’s threats to freedom of the press and expression
Surveillance

Secret surveillance: countering spyware’s threats to freedom of the press and expression

May 3 @ 10:00 am 12:00 pm EDT

On #WorldPressFreedomDay, 3 May 2023, join us in unpacking the much needed solutions to these attacks on human rights.

Event
Secret surveillance: countering spyware’s threats to freedom of the press and expression

May 3 @ 10:00 am 12:00 pm EDT

Secret surveillance: countering spyware’s threats to freedom of the press and expression

Protecting Defenders Online: United Nations Human Rights Council 49th Session Side Event

29 March 2022 @ 1:00 pm 2:00 pm UTC

Event
Protecting Defenders Online: United Nations Human Rights Council 49th Session Side Event

29 March 2022 @ 1:00 pm 2:00 pm UTC

Protecting Defenders Online: United Nations Human Rights Council 49th Session Side Event

Event: Digital Rights in Ethiopia

8 April 2019 @ 8:00 am 5:00 pm EDT

Event
Event: Digital Rights in Ethiopia

8 April 2019 @ 8:00 am 5:00 pm EDT

Event: Digital Rights in Ethiopia