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.

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
Freedom of expression
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of ExpressionPress ReleaseJordanEnglish

Authorities in Jordan must lift ban on news sites

23 May 2025

All stakeholders need to work together to find long-term solutions to complex societal issues, which are based on scientific evidence, and are respectful of rights.

Press Release
Authorities in Jordan must lift ban on news sites
23 May 2025
Authorities in Jordan must lift ban on news sites
Image shows a deteriorated electrical plug shaped like rubik cube, connecting to an elecrical port shaped like an unlocked padlock.
Connectivity
ConnectivityPostMiddle East & North AfricaArabic

نحو مستقبل رقمي آمن وحر في سوريا

22 May 2025

رفع العقوبات عن سوريا خطوة مهمة نحو التقدّم، لكن لا يزال أمام السوريين الكثير لبناء مستقبل رقمي حر وآمن ومفتوح.

Post
نحو مستقبل رقمي آمن وحر في سوريا
22 May 2025
نحو مستقبل رقمي آمن وحر في سوريا
Image shows a deteriorated electrical plug shaped like rubik cube, connecting to an elecrical port shaped like an unlocked padlock.
Connectivity
ConnectivityPostEnglish

Reclaiming Syria’s digital future

22 May 2025
Post
Reclaiming Syria’s digital future
22 May 2025
Reclaiming Syria’s digital future
Ceasefire in Gaza
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of ExpressionPress ReleaseMiddle East & North AfricaEnglish

CPDP must resist pressure to muzzle discussions on Palestine

22 May 2025

Human rights NGOs and academics condemn efforts to muzzle discussion of the genocide in Gaza at the 2025 CPDP conference in Brussels.

Press Release
CPDP must resist pressure to muzzle discussions on Palestine
22 May 2025
CPDP must resist pressure to muzzle discussions on Palestine
Regulating digital platforms
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of ExpressionPress ReleaseLatin AmericaEnglish

Civil society warns of human rights risks in Mexico’s telecom reform

21 May 2025
Press Release
Civil society warns of human rights risks in Mexico’s telecom reform
21 May 2025
Civil society warns of human rights risks in Mexico’s telecom reform
Ghana’s anti-LGBTQ+ bill
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of ExpressionPress ReleaseLatin AmericaSpanish

Organizaciones alertan por riesgos a derechos humanos en reforma de telecomunicaciones en México

21 May 2025
Press Release
Organizaciones alertan por riesgos a derechos humanos en reforma de telecomunicaciones en México
21 May 2025
Organizaciones alertan por riesgos a derechos humanos en reforma de telecomunicaciones en México
keep it on graphic
Internet Shutdowns
Internet ShutdownsPress ReleaseAfrica

#KeepItOn in Tanzania: President Suluhu’s government must restore access to X now

21 May 2025

Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition unequivocally condemn the blocking of X in Tanzania that started on May 20, 2025. Technical data recorded by the Open Observatory of Network Interference (OONI) measurement community shows that the blocking is underway, impacting several mobile networks.

Press Release
#KeepItOn in Tanzania: President Suluhu’s government must restore access to X now
21 May 2025
#KeepItOn in Tanzania: President Suluhu’s government must restore access to X now
a web of connected eyes on a purple and blue background
Surveillance
SurveillancePress ReleaseEurope

LIBE vote on Europol reform blow to the Commission, but still legitimises an expanding surveillance regime

21 May 2025
Press Release
LIBE vote on Europol reform blow to the Commission, but still legitimises an expanding surveillance regime
21 May 2025
LIBE vote on Europol reform blow to the Commission, but still legitimises an expanding surveillance regime
GDPR
Data Protection
Data ProtectionPress ReleaseEuropeEnglish

Access Now to EU: protect rights, make the GDPR enforceable

20 May 2025

Access Now demands action on the proposed General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Procedural Regulation, ahead of its final trilogue.

Press Release
Access Now to EU: protect rights, make the GDPR enforceable
20 May 2025
Access Now to EU: protect rights, make the GDPR enforceable
how social media companies increase risks for LGBTQ+ people in Africa
Digital Security
Digital SecurityPostAfricaEnglish

How Uganda’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws entrap people online

15 May 2025

As we mark the IDAHOBIT 2025, we highlight research on Uganda’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws and show how they can lead to digital entrapment and human rights violations.

Post
How Uganda’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws entrap people online
15 May 2025
How Uganda’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws entrap people online
elections
Internet Shutdowns
Internet ShutdownsPress ReleaseEastern Europe & Central AsiaEnglish

#KeepItOn: Кремль должен воздержаться от отключений во время национальных праздников и мероприятий

12 May 2025

Ниже подписавшиеся решительно осуждают отключения интернета, введённые российскими властями накануне и во время празднования 80-летия Победы во Второй мировой войне.

Press Release
#KeepItOn: Кремль должен воздержаться от отключений во время национальных праздников и мероприятий
12 May 2025
#KeepItOn: Кремль должен воздержаться от отключений во время национальных праздников и мероприятий
elections
Internet Shutdowns
Internet ShutdownsPress ReleaseEastern Europe & Central AsiaEnglish

#KeepItOn: The Kremlin must refrain from imposing internet shutdowns during key national events

12 May 2025

The undersigned human rights organizations call on the UK government to take immediate action to free Alaa, and save his mother’s life.

Press Release
#KeepItOn: The Kremlin must refrain from imposing internet shutdowns during key national events
12 May 2025
#KeepItOn: The Kremlin must refrain from imposing internet shutdowns during key national events
Digital censorship
Content Governance
Content GovernancePress ReleaseAsia Pacific

Access Now statement on digital censorship amid India–Pakistan conflict

9 May 2025

We are alarmed by executive orders issued by the Indian government restricting access to an alarming spectrum of online content, including requiring social media platform X to block access to over 8,000 accounts, including those belonging to journalists, human rights organisations, and independent media outlets.

Press Release
Access Now statement on digital censorship amid India–Pakistan conflict
9 May 2025
Access Now statement on digital censorship amid India–Pakistan conflict
NSO
Surveillance
SurveillancePress ReleaseEnglish

NSO to pay $168 million in damages to WhatsApp for Pegasus spyware hacking 

6 May 2025
Press Release
NSO to pay $168 million in damages to WhatsApp for Pegasus spyware hacking 
6 May 2025
NSO to pay $168 million in damages to WhatsApp for Pegasus spyware hacking 
Freedom of expression
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of ExpressionPost

Combating digital threats to safeguard press freedom

6 May 2025
Post
Combating digital threats to safeguard press freedom
6 May 2025
Combating digital threats to safeguard press freedom
Sweden
Data Protection
Data ProtectionPress ReleaseEuropeEnglish

Civil society must have a seat at the EU Technology Roadmap table

5 May 2025

All stakeholders need to work together to find long-term solutions to complex societal issues, which are based on scientific evidence, and are respectful of rights.

Press Release
Civil society must have a seat at the EU Technology Roadmap table
5 May 2025
Civil society must have a seat at the EU Technology Roadmap table
Digital Security Helpline BG
Digital Security
Digital SecurityPost

How U.S. funding cuts expose civil society to digital attacks

9 Apr 2025
Post
How U.S. funding cuts expose civil society to digital attacks
9 Apr 2025
How U.S. funding cuts expose civil society to digital attacks
Sweden
Privacy
PrivacyPress ReleaseEuropeEnglish

Joint letter on Swedish Data Storage and Access to Electronic Information legislation

9 Apr 2025

Swedish authorities must reject legislation that would force companies to undermine the encryption of their services.

Press Release
Joint letter on Swedish Data Storage and Access to Electronic Information legislation
9 Apr 2025
Joint letter on Swedish Data Storage and Access to Electronic Information legislation
Authorities Gabon #KeepItOn
Internet Shutdowns
Internet ShutdownsPress ReleaseAfricaEnglish

#KeepItOn: authorities in Gabon must safeguard open and secure internet access during elections

8 Apr 2025

#KeepItOn urges authorities in Gabon to keep the internet, social media, and all communication channels open and secure during the April 12 elections.

Press Release
#KeepItOn: authorities in Gabon must safeguard open and secure internet access during elections
8 Apr 2025
#KeepItOn: authorities in Gabon must safeguard open and secure internet access during elections

Access Now in the news

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
TikTok
Content Governance

Why India’s censorship of news media online without stating reasons is unlawful

13 May 2025
News
Why India’s censorship of news media online without stating reasons is unlawful
Skoll ↗
13 May 2025
Why India’s censorship of news media online without stating reasons is unlawful
Más allá de Pegasus: políticas públicas contra periodistas y sociedad civil en El Salvador
Surveillance

La empresa propietaria del software espía Pegasus, condenada a pagar 168 millones de dólares a Meta

7 May 2025
News
La empresa propietaria del software espía Pegasus, condenada a pagar 168 millones de dólares a Meta
El Pais ↗
7 May 2025
La empresa propietaria del software espía Pegasus, condenada a pagar 168 millones de dólares a Meta
Private tech, humanitarian problems: how to ensure digital transformation does no harm
Connectivity

Will India’s new satellite internet rules impact Starlink’s ambitions? We asked five experts

7 May 2025
News
Will India’s new satellite internet rules impact Starlink’s ambitions? We asked five experts
Rest of World ↗
7 May 2025
Will India’s new satellite internet rules impact Starlink’s ambitions? We asked five experts
Press under Attack – Digital Strategies to Intimidate Journalists in Latin America
Surveillance

حكم بتغريم شركة “إن إس أو” الإسرائيلية 168 مليون دولار لاختراقها “واتساب”

7 May 2025
News
حكم بتغريم شركة “إن إس أو” الإسرائيلية 168 مليون دولار لاختراقها “واتساب”
The New Arab ↗
7 May 2025
حكم بتغريم شركة “إن إس أو” الإسرائيلية 168 مليون دولار لاختراقها “واتساب”
NSO
Surveillance

Court clash between Meta and NSO ends in $168 million defeat for spyware firm

7 May 2025
News
Court clash between Meta and NSO ends in $168 million defeat for spyware firm
Reuters ↗
7 May 2025
Court clash between Meta and NSO ends in $168 million defeat for spyware firm

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