Press Releases

Press releases

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Cameroon
Press Release

#KeepItOn coalition raise the alarm on potential shutdown during upcoming elections in Uganda

12 Jan 2026

As millions of people prepare to head to the polls in Uganda on January, 15 2026, Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition — a global network of over 345 organizations from 106 countries working to end internet shutdowns, has urged President Yoweri Museveni to ensure unfettered access to the internet, digital platforms, and all other communication channels on the run-up-to, during and post-elections.

Press Release
#KeepItOn coalition raise the alarm on potential shutdown during upcoming elections in Uganda
12 Jan 2026
#KeepItOn coalition raise the alarm on potential shutdown during upcoming elections in Uganda
CBE Ethiopia
Data Protection
Data ProtectionPress ReleaseAfricaEnglish

MTN Group must answer for dangerous bounty SMS campaign in the Republic of Congo

15 Dec 2025

Access Now,together with several human rights organizations, are calling on MTN Group to protect mobile service subscribers and ensure transparency and accountability for data breaches perpetuated by their subsidiaries in the Republic of Congo.

Press Release
MTN Group must answer for dangerous bounty SMS campaign in the Republic of Congo
15 Dec 2025
MTN Group must answer for dangerous bounty SMS campaign in the Republic of Congo
Internet shutdowns typology of harm header
Internet Shutdowns
Internet ShutdownsPress ReleaseMiddle East & North AfricaEnglish

Connectivity as a weapon of war: how internet shutdowns harm civilians in armed conflict

11 Dec 2025

Access Now’s latest report, Internet shutdowns in armed conflict: a typology of harms, unpacks the serious harms that internet shutdowns inflict on civilian populations during armed conflict.

Press Release
Connectivity as a weapon of war: how internet shutdowns harm civilians in armed conflict
11 Dec 2025
Connectivity as a weapon of war: how internet shutdowns harm civilians in armed conflict
Online ads and the machinery of propaganda for war
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of ExpressionPress ReleaseMiddle East & North AfricaEnglish

War profiteers: online ads, propaganda for war, and a call to reprioritize human rights

3 Dec 2025

Access Now’s latest report examines how propaganda for war and online ads intersect with the international human rights law.

Press Release
War profiteers: online ads, propaganda for war, and a call to reprioritize human rights
3 Dec 2025
War profiteers: online ads, propaganda for war, and a call to reprioritize human rights
Cameroon
Internet Shutdowns
Internet ShutdownsPress ReleaseAfricaEnglish

#KeepItOn: Authorities in Tanzania must commit to unrestricted access to the internet during elections

28 Oct 2025

In an open letter to President Samia Suluhu, Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition are urging authorities in Tanzania to uphold human rights and ensure open and secure access to the internet and digital communications before, during, and after the upcoming elections on October 29, 2025, to guarantee a participatory and transparent electoral process.

Press Release
#KeepItOn: Authorities in Tanzania must commit to unrestricted access to the internet during elections
28 Oct 2025
#KeepItOn: Authorities in Tanzania must commit to unrestricted access to the internet during elections
Microsoft Gaza
Transparency
TransparencyPress ReleaseMiddle East & North AfricaEnglish

Human rights groups demand answers from Microsoft on its role in Israel’s war on Gaza

10 Oct 2025

Access Now and partners urged Microsoft to immediately end any involvement with Israeli authorities’ systemic repression of Palestinians.

Press Release
Human rights groups demand answers from Microsoft on its role in Israel’s war on Gaza
10 Oct 2025
Human rights groups demand answers from Microsoft on its role in Israel’s war on Gaza
Cameroon
Internet Shutdowns
Internet ShutdownsPress ReleaseAfricaEnglish

All eyes on Cameroon: #KeepItOn during upcoming elections

8 Oct 2025

We urge authorities in Cameroon to ensure reliable, continuous, open, and secure internet access before, during, and after the upcoming elections.

Press Release
All eyes on Cameroon: #KeepItOn during upcoming elections
8 Oct 2025
All eyes on Cameroon: #KeepItOn during upcoming elections
Cameroon
Press ReleaseAsia PacificEnglish

#KeepItOn: Nepal’s Telegram ban is a dangerous escalation of digital censorship

29 Jul 2025

Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition are alarmed by the Government of Nepal’s decision to ban the popular messaging application Telegram.

Press Release
#KeepItOn: Nepal’s Telegram ban is a dangerous escalation of digital censorship
29 Jul 2025
#KeepItOn: Nepal’s Telegram ban is a dangerous escalation of digital censorship
Kenya-Open-Letter-Socials
Data Protection
Data ProtectionPress ReleaseAfricaEnglish

Halt human rights abuses: Safaricom and its shareholders must ensure transparency and accountability in Kenya

9 Jul 2025

Access Now, alongside several human rights organisations, is calling on the Vodacom Group, as a major shareholder in Safaricom, to launch an urgent, independent, and publicly accessible assessment into the company’s role in potential human rights violations in relation to the ongoing protests in Kenya. 

Press Release
Halt human rights abuses: Safaricom and its shareholders must ensure transparency and accountability in Kenya
9 Jul 2025
Halt human rights abuses: Safaricom and its shareholders must ensure transparency and accountability in Kenya
#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
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
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
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

Open letters

South Sudan #KeepItOn
Internet Shutdowns

#KeepItOn: Government of Uganda must ensure unrestricted internet access throughout the upcoming elections

12 Jan 2026

Access Now appeals to you, President Yoweri Museveni, to ensure that people in Uganda have unfettered access to the internet, digital platforms, and all other communication channels throughout the upcoming elections on January 15, 2026

Press Release
#KeepItOn: Government of Uganda must ensure unrestricted internet access throughout the upcoming elections
12 Jan 2026
#KeepItOn: Government of Uganda must ensure unrestricted internet access throughout the upcoming elections
CBE Ethiopia
Data Protection

MTN Group must commission an independent investigation into potential human rights violations

15 Dec 2025

Access Now and several human rights groups are deeply alarmed by the allegations of MTN Congo’s enabling of human rights abuses.

Press Release
MTN Group must commission an independent investigation into potential human rights violations
15 Dec 2025
MTN Group must commission an independent investigation into potential human rights violations
Cameroon
Internet Shutdowns

#KeepItOn: Government of Tanzania must ensure unrestricted internet access throughout upcoming elections

28 Oct 2025

We, the undersigned organizations and members of the #KeepItOn coalition — a global network of over 345 organizations from 106 countries working to end internet shutdowns —  appeal to you, President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, to publicly commit to ensuring that people in the Republic of Tanzania have unfettered access to the internet, digital platforms, and all other communication channels throughout the upcoming elections on October 29, 2025. 

Press Release
#KeepItOn: Government of Tanzania must ensure unrestricted internet access throughout upcoming elections
28 Oct 2025
#KeepItOn: Government of Tanzania must ensure unrestricted internet access throughout upcoming elections
We, the undersigned human rights organizations, are writing with great concern regarding media reporting alleging that Microsoft has contributed to grave violations of international law perpetrated by the Israeli authorities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT).
Transparency

Microsoft must come clean on its role in Israel’s war on Gaza

10 Oct 2025

We, the undersigned human rights organizations, are writing with great concern regarding media reporting alleging that Microsoft has contributed to grave violations of international law perpetrated by the Israeli authorities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT).

Press Release
Microsoft must come clean on its role in Israel’s war on Gaza
10 Oct 2025
Microsoft must come clean on its role in Israel’s war on Gaza

Statements

Cameroon
Internet Shutdowns

#KeepItOn: Iran plunged into digital darkness, concealing human rights abuses

13 Jan 2026

join the international community, including the UN’s Independent International Fact-Finding Mission, in calling on Iran to immediately restore internet and mobile communications and in demanding accountability and transparency for the grave human rights violations documented in the country

Press Release
#KeepItOn: Iran plunged into digital darkness, concealing human rights abuses
13 Jan 2026
#KeepItOn: Iran plunged into digital darkness, concealing human rights abuses
Cameroon
Internet Shutdowns

#KeepItOn: Tanzanian authorities and Meta must reverse course and respect human rights

8 Dec 2025

Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition joins the international community in demanding accountability and transparency for the grave human rights violations documented in Tanzania during and after the October 29, 2025 elections, including allegations of hundreds of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and mass arbitrary detentions targeting protesters, opposition figures, and civil society.

Press Release
#KeepItOn: Tanzanian authorities and Meta must reverse course and respect human rights
8 Dec 2025
#KeepItOn: Tanzanian authorities and Meta must reverse course and respect human rights
|
Freedom of Expression

Joint civil society statement on outcomes of the UNGA 80 Third Committee

25 Nov 2025
Press Release
Joint civil society statement on outcomes of the UNGA 80 Third Committee
25 Nov 2025
Joint civil society statement on outcomes of the UNGA 80 Third Committee
Cameroon
Internet Shutdowns

#KeepItOn: Authorities in Nigeria must reconnect people in Zamfara North now

4 Nov 2025

Access Now and the global #KeepItOn coalition are dismayed by reports of ongoing internet disruptions in Nigeria’s Zamfara North and demand that authorities immediately restore access across the senatorial district. 

Press Release
#KeepItOn: Authorities in Nigeria must reconnect people in Zamfara North now
4 Nov 2025
#KeepItOn: Authorities in Nigeria must reconnect people in Zamfara North now
Internet Shutdowns

The Taliban must restore internet access across Afghanistan now

1 Oct 2025

Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition unequivocally denounce the ongoing nationwide internet blackout in Afghanistan and demand that the Taliban restore internet access immediately.

Press Release
The Taliban must restore internet access across Afghanistan now
1 Oct 2025
The Taliban must restore internet access across Afghanistan now
Syrian government
Internet Shutdowns

#KeepItOn: Time to end Sudan’s isolation; lift the WhatsApp block now

25 Sep 2025

We, the undersigned civil society organisations and humanitarian actors, call on the international community to urgently address the physical and cyber threats people are experiencing in Sudan

Press Release
#KeepItOn: Time to end Sudan’s isolation; lift the WhatsApp block now
25 Sep 2025
#KeepItOn: Time to end Sudan’s isolation; lift the WhatsApp block now
Digital censorship
Freedom of Expression

Access Now’s statement on Nepal’s escalating digital repression and deadly crackdown

9 Sep 2025

Access Now is deeply alarmed by the government of Nepal’s violent crackdown on human rights, both online and off.

Press Release
Access Now’s statement on Nepal’s escalating digital repression and deadly crackdown
9 Sep 2025
Access Now’s statement on Nepal’s escalating digital repression and deadly crackdown
Syrian government
Internet Shutdowns

#KeepItOn: Syrian government must restore internet access and respect rights in Suwayda 

1 Aug 2025

We call on the Syrian government to immediately and fully restore internet access and to ensure the protection of people’s rights in Suwayda.

Press Release
#KeepItOn: Syrian government must restore internet access and respect rights in Suwayda 
1 Aug 2025
#KeepItOn: Syrian government must restore internet access and respect rights in Suwayda 
Cameroon
Internet Shutdowns

#KeepItOn: Nepal authorities must reverse nationwide Telegram ban and uphold human rights

29 Jul 2025

Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition urgently demand that the Government of Nepal immediately reverse its decision to block messaging platform Telegram across the country.

Press Release
#KeepItOn: Nepal authorities must reverse nationwide Telegram ban and uphold human rights
29 Jul 2025
#KeepItOn: Nepal authorities must reverse nationwide Telegram ban and uphold human rights
Protect Not Surveil
Surveillance

EU: stop criminalizing migration in the Facilitator’s Package law

17 Jul 2025
Press Release
EU: stop criminalizing migration in the Facilitator’s Package law
17 Jul 2025
EU: stop criminalizing migration in the Facilitator’s Package law
Cameroon
Internet Shutdowns

#KeepItOn : Les autorités togolaises doivent garantir les droits humains, en ligne comme hors ligne, pendant les manifestations

17 Jul 2025

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

Press Release
#KeepItOn : Les autorités togolaises doivent garantir les droits humains, en ligne comme hors ligne, pendant les manifestations
17 Jul 2025
#KeepItOn : Les autorités togolaises doivent garantir les droits humains, en ligne comme hors ligne, pendant les manifestations
Cameroon
Internet Shutdowns

#KeepItOn: Togolese authorities must uphold human rights online and off during protests

17 Jul 2025

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

Press Release
#KeepItOn: Togolese authorities must uphold human rights online and off during protests
17 Jul 2025
#KeepItOn: Togolese authorities must uphold human rights online and off during protests
Syrian government
Internet Shutdowns

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

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
Syrian government
Internet Shutdowns

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

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