Press Releases

Press releases

Data Protection
Data ProtectionPress ReleaseJordanEnglish

Jordan passes flawed data protection law

20 Sep 2023

Jordan has finally passed a data protection law. However, the text still ignores major shortcomings.

Press Release
Jordan passes flawed data protection law
20 Sep 2023
Jordan passes flawed data protection law
AI Act
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial IntelligencePress ReleaseEuropeEnglish

EU policymakers: regulate police technology!

20 Sep 2023

Civil society calls on EU policymakers to regulate policy technology.

Press Release
EU policymakers: regulate police technology!
20 Sep 2023
EU policymakers: regulate police technology!
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of ExpressionPress ReleaseMiddle East & North AfricaArabic

شركة إكس لإيلون ماسك يجب أن تضمن السلامة لمستخدميها، مع إصدار السلطات السعودية أول عقوبة إعدام لمجرد النشاط على وسائل التواصل الاجتماعي

15 Sep 2023

أكساس ناو تنضم إلى الشركاء في دعوة شركة إكس لإيلون ماسك للأولوية في حماية مستخدميها، عقب إدانة فرد بالإعدام من قبل السلطات السعودية استنادًا فقط إلى نشاطهم على وسائل التواصل الاجتماعي.

Press Release
شركة إكس لإيلون ماسك يجب أن تضمن السلامة لمستخدميها، مع إصدار السلطات السعودية أول عقوبة إعدام لمجرد النشاط على وسائل التواصل الاجتماعي
15 Sep 2023
شركة إكس لإيلون ماسك يجب أن تضمن السلامة لمستخدميها، مع إصدار السلطات السعودية أول عقوبة إعدام لمجرد النشاط على وسائل التواصل الاجتماعي
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of ExpressionPress ReleaseMiddle East & North AfricaEnglish

Elon Musk’s X must ensure safety of users, as Saudi authorities issue first death sentence solely for social media activity

15 Sep 2023

Access Now joins partners in urging Elon Musk’s X to prioritize the protection of its users, following the sentencing of an individual to death by Saudi Arabian authorities solely based on their social media activity.

Press Release
Elon Musk’s X must ensure safety of users, as Saudi authorities issue first death sentence solely for social media activity
15 Sep 2023
Elon Musk’s X must ensure safety of users, as Saudi authorities issue first death sentence solely for social media activity
مؤتمر المناخ كوب 28
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of ExpressionPress ReleaseMiddle East & North AfricaEnglish

COP28: UAE authorities must stop greenwashing human rights abuses

14 Sep 2023
Press Release
COP28: UAE authorities must stop greenwashing human rights abuses
14 Sep 2023
COP28: UAE authorities must stop greenwashing human rights abuses
مؤتمر المناخ كوب 28
Surveillance
SurveillancePress ReleaseMiddle East & North AfricaEnglish

Open letter: Governments must address UAE human rights abuses ahead of COP28

14 Sep 2023

Access Now and over 200 organizations call on governments to address the UAE’s human rights abuses ahead of COP28.

Press Release
Open letter: Governments must address UAE human rights abuses ahead of COP28
14 Sep 2023
Open letter: Governments must address UAE human rights abuses ahead of COP28
A new investigation by Access Now and Citizen Lab reveals first-time use of Pegasus spyware against a Russian journalist.
Surveillance
SurveillancePress ReleaseEastern Europe & Central AsiaEnglish

Exiled media under attack: Access Now documents first-time use of Pegasus against Russian journalist

13 Sep 2023

A new investigation by Access Now and Citizen Lab reveals first-time use of Pegasus spyware against exiled Russian media.

Press Release
Exiled media under attack: Access Now documents first-time use of Pegasus against Russian journalist
13 Sep 2023
Exiled media under attack: Access Now documents first-time use of Pegasus against Russian journalist
Ethiopian government internet
Internet Shutdowns
Internet ShutdownsPress ReleaseAfricaEnglish

Authorities in Ethiopia must restore internet access in Amhara

12 Sep 2023
Press Release
Authorities in Ethiopia must restore internet access in Amhara
12 Sep 2023
Authorities in Ethiopia must restore internet access in Amhara
Ethiopian government internet
Internet Shutdowns
Internet ShutdownsPress ReleaseAfricaEnglish

Preserving freedom in crisis: Ethiopia’s internet shutdowns must not become the norm

12 Sep 2023

Authorities in Ethiopia must stop the trend of internet shutdowns and restore access to the internet in Amhara.

Press Release
Preserving freedom in crisis: Ethiopia’s internet shutdowns must not become the norm
12 Sep 2023
Preserving freedom in crisis: Ethiopia’s internet shutdowns must not become the norm
AI Act
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial IntelligencePress ReleaseEuropeEnglish

Joint statement: EU legislators must close dangerous loophole in AI Act

7 Sep 2023

Big Tech has lobbied to introduce a major loophole to the EU AI Act’s high-risk classification process. We call on EU legislators to maintain a high level of protection in the AI Act. 

Press Release
Joint statement: EU legislators must close dangerous loophole in AI Act
7 Sep 2023
Joint statement: EU legislators must close dangerous loophole in AI Act
مؤتمر المناخ كوب 28
Surveillance
SurveillancePress ReleaseAsia PacificEnglish

Stop mass surveillance in India: the government must be held accountable

31 Aug 2023

Access Now demands that the Indian government’s surveillance impunity ends now.

Press Release
Stop mass surveillance in India: the government must be held accountable
31 Aug 2023
Stop mass surveillance in India: the government must be held accountable
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of ExpressionPress ReleaseMiddle East & North AfricaEnglish

19 civil society organizations call on US administration to press the UAE to release Ahmed Mansoor ahead of COP 28

30 Aug 2023

In a joint letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, we urge him to call upon the UAE government to promptly and unconditionally release Ahmed Mansoor.

Press Release
19 civil society organizations call on US administration to press the UAE to release Ahmed Mansoor ahead of COP 28
30 Aug 2023
19 civil society organizations call on US administration to press the UAE to release Ahmed Mansoor ahead of COP 28
Indonesia MR5 Amicus Brief
Content Governance
Content GovernancePress ReleaseAsia PacificEnglish

Cambodia: Meta refuses to block Hun Sen’s accounts, implicitly encouraging incitement to violence

30 Aug 2023

By refusing to suspend Hun Sen’s Facebook and Instagram accounts, Meta has missed a crucial opportunity to oppose incitement to violence and hate speech online.

Press Release
Cambodia: Meta refuses to block Hun Sen’s accounts, implicitly encouraging incitement to violence
30 Aug 2023
Cambodia: Meta refuses to block Hun Sen’s accounts, implicitly encouraging incitement to violence
TikTok ban Kenya
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of ExpressionPress ReleaseEgyptArabic

بيان تضامني مع منصة “متصدقش” للصحافة المستقلة والمتخصصة في التحقق الإخباري

28 Aug 2023

تدين منظمات المجتمع المدني، ووسائل الإعلام والصحافة المستقلة، والأفراد الموقعين أدناه، استهداف أجهزة الأمن المصرية لمنصة “متصدقش” الصحفية المستقلة المتخصصة في التحقق الإخباري.

Press Release
بيان تضامني مع منصة “متصدقش” للصحافة المستقلة والمتخصصة في التحقق الإخباري
28 Aug 2023
بيان تضامني مع منصة “متصدقش” للصحافة المستقلة والمتخصصة في التحقق الإخباري
TikTok
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of ExpressionPress ReleaseAfricaEnglish

Joint statement on petition to ban TikTok in Kenya

24 Aug 2023

Kenya’s members of parliament must uphold freedom of expression and reject call to ban TikTok.

Press Release
Joint statement on petition to ban TikTok in Kenya
24 Aug 2023
Joint statement on petition to ban TikTok in Kenya
TikTok ban Kenya
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of ExpressionPress ReleaseAfricaEnglish

Kenyan parliament must reject petition to ban TikTok

24 Aug 2023
Press Release
Kenyan parliament must reject petition to ban TikTok
24 Aug 2023
Kenyan parliament must reject petition to ban TikTok

Open letters

Data Protection

Joint Civil Society Letter to the European Commission on the enforcement of the GDPR

22 Jun 2023
Press Release
Joint Civil Society Letter to the European Commission on the enforcement of the GDPR
22 Jun 2023
Joint Civil Society Letter to the European Commission on the enforcement of the GDPR
Zimbabwe elections 2023, internet shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

#KeepItOn: A call to the government of Sierra Leone — keep the internet and social media platforms open and secure throughout  the 2023 elections

16 Jun 2023

Sierra Leone must ensure that the internet and social media platforms remain accessible prior to, during, and after the general election scheduled for Saturday, June 24, 2023.

Press Release
#KeepItOn: A call to the government of Sierra Leone — keep the internet and social media platforms open and secure throughout  the 2023 elections
16 Jun 2023
#KeepItOn: A call to the government of Sierra Leone — keep the internet and social media platforms open and secure throughout  the 2023 elections
|Human rights problem with Google Cloud Platform in Saudi Arabia - Twitter thumbnail
Surveillance

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

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

Statements

AI Act
Artificial Intelligence

EU policymakers: regulate police technology!

20 Sep 2023

Civil society calls on EU policymakers to regulate policy technology.

Press Release
EU policymakers: regulate police technology!
20 Sep 2023
EU policymakers: regulate police technology!
مؤتمر المناخ كوب 28
Surveillance

Open letter: Governments must address UAE human rights abuses ahead of COP28

14 Sep 2023

Access Now and over 200 organizations call on governments to address the UAE’s human rights abuses ahead of COP28.

Press Release
Open letter: Governments must address UAE human rights abuses ahead of COP28
14 Sep 2023
Open letter: Governments must address UAE human rights abuses ahead of COP28
Ethiopian government internet
Internet Shutdowns

Preserving freedom in crisis: Ethiopia’s internet shutdowns must not become the norm

12 Sep 2023

Authorities in Ethiopia must stop the trend of internet shutdowns and restore access to the internet in Amhara.

Press Release
Preserving freedom in crisis: Ethiopia’s internet shutdowns must not become the norm
12 Sep 2023
Preserving freedom in crisis: Ethiopia’s internet shutdowns must not become the norm
AI Act
Artificial Intelligence

Joint statement: EU legislators must close dangerous loophole in AI Act

7 Sep 2023

Big Tech has lobbied to introduce a major loophole to the EU AI Act’s high-risk classification process. We call on EU legislators to maintain a high level of protection in the AI Act. 

Press Release
Joint statement: EU legislators must close dangerous loophole in AI Act
7 Sep 2023
Joint statement: EU legislators must close dangerous loophole in AI Act
Freedom of Expression

19 civil society organizations call on US administration to press the UAE to release Ahmed Mansoor ahead of COP 28

30 Aug 2023

In a joint letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, we urge him to call upon the UAE government to promptly and unconditionally release Ahmed Mansoor.

Press Release
19 civil society organizations call on US administration to press the UAE to release Ahmed Mansoor ahead of COP 28
30 Aug 2023
19 civil society organizations call on US administration to press the UAE to release Ahmed Mansoor ahead of COP 28
TikTok ban Kenya
Freedom of Expression

بيان تضامني مع منصة “متصدقش” للصحافة المستقلة والمتخصصة في التحقق الإخباري

28 Aug 2023

تدين منظمات المجتمع المدني، ووسائل الإعلام والصحافة المستقلة، والأفراد الموقعين أدناه، استهداف أجهزة الأمن المصرية لمنصة “متصدقش” الصحفية المستقلة المتخصصة في التحقق الإخباري.

Press Release
بيان تضامني مع منصة “متصدقش” للصحافة المستقلة والمتخصصة في التحقق الإخباري
28 Aug 2023
بيان تضامني مع منصة “متصدقش” للصحافة المستقلة والمتخصصة في التحقق الإخباري
TikTok
Freedom of Expression

Joint statement on petition to ban TikTok in Kenya

24 Aug 2023

Kenya’s members of parliament must uphold freedom of expression and reject call to ban TikTok.

Press Release
Joint statement on petition to ban TikTok in Kenya
24 Aug 2023
Joint statement on petition to ban TikTok in Kenya
Keep It On Gabon
Internet Shutdowns

#KeepItOn: our call to guarantee open and secure  internet access during upcoming elections in Gabon

24 Aug 2023

Governments across Africa must ensure people can access the internet when they need it the most. This election, we urge Gabon to #KeepItOn.

Press Release
#KeepItOn: our call to guarantee open and secure  internet access during upcoming elections in Gabon
24 Aug 2023
#KeepItOn: our call to guarantee open and secure  internet access during upcoming elections in Gabon
Keep It On Gabon
Internet Shutdowns

#KeepItOn : Notre appel pour le maintien de l’Internet ouvert et sécurisé lors des prochaines élections au Gabon

24 Aug 2023

Les gouvernements d’Afrique doivent garantir que les citoyens puissent accéder à un Internet ouvert et accessible #KeepItOn.

Press Release
#KeepItOn : Notre appel pour le maintien de l’Internet ouvert et sécurisé lors des prochaines élections au Gabon
24 Aug 2023
#KeepItOn : Notre appel pour le maintien de l’Internet ouvert et sécurisé lors des prochaines élections au Gabon
TikTok ban Kenya
Freedom of Expression

In solidarity with Egyptian fact-checking and independent media platform Matsadaash

23 Aug 2023

We stand in solidarity with Egyptian fact-checking and independent media platform Matsadaash, following its recent targeting by Egyptian security services.

Press Release
In solidarity with Egyptian fact-checking and independent media platform Matsadaash
23 Aug 2023
In solidarity with Egyptian fact-checking and independent media platform Matsadaash
Keep It On Gabon
Internet Shutdowns

The government of Manipur must put an end to the ongoing internet shutdown impacting millions

22 Aug 2023

All internet shutdowns violate a range of human rights.The #KeepItOn coalition demands that internet access be fully restored in Manipur.

Press Release
The government of Manipur must put an end to the ongoing internet shutdown impacting millions
22 Aug 2023
The government of Manipur must put an end to the ongoing internet shutdown impacting millions
Gabon's election internet access
Internet Shutdowns

KeepItOn ジンバブエ政府への要請:2023年の選挙期間中、インターネットとソーシャルメディア・プラットフォームはオープンで安全な状態を維持せよ

17 Aug 2023

アフリカの国々は、そして世界の国々は、人々が最も必要とするとき、つまり重要な国家的イベントのときに、オープンでセキュアで無料のインターネットにアクセスできるようにしなければならない。今回の選挙で、私たちはジンバブエ政府に#KeepItOnを強く求める。

Press Release
KeepItOn ジンバブエ政府への要請:2023年の選挙期間中、インターネットとソーシャルメディア・プラットフォームはオープンで安全な状態を維持せよ
17 Aug 2023
KeepItOn ジンバブエ政府への要請:2023年の選挙期間中、インターネットとソーシャルメディア・プラットフォームはオープンで安全な状態を維持せよ
Gabon's election internet access
Internet Shutdowns

#KeepItOn: A call to the government of Zimbabwe— keep the internet and social media platforms open and secure throughout the 2023 elections

17 Aug 2023

Zimbabwe must ensure open and secure internet access when people need it the most — during the 2023 elections.

Press Release
#KeepItOn: A call to the government of Zimbabwe— keep the internet and social media platforms open and secure throughout the 2023 elections
17 Aug 2023
#KeepItOn: A call to the government of Zimbabwe— keep the internet and social media platforms open and secure throughout the 2023 elections
Keep It On Gabon
Internet Shutdowns

Civil society statement: government of Senegal must stop escalating trend of normalizing internet shutdowns

16 Aug 2023

セネガル政府が最近のセネガルの政情不安に対応してインターネット遮断を武器化したことを非難し、当局がこの危険な検閲手段をエスカレートさせていることに終止符を打つよう要求する

Press Release
Civil society statement: government of Senegal must stop escalating trend of normalizing internet shutdowns
16 Aug 2023
Civil society statement: government of Senegal must stop escalating trend of normalizing internet shutdowns
مؤتمر المناخ كوب 28
Surveillance

على السلطات الإماراتية الإفراج عن المسجونين ظلماً قبل مؤتمر المناخ “كوب 28”

15 Aug 2023

يتعين على سلطات الإمارات العربية المتحدة أن تفرج عن جميع المسجونين ظلمًا في البلاد، قبل بدء فعاليات مؤتمر المناخ كوب ٢٨

Press Release
على السلطات الإماراتية الإفراج عن المسجونين ظلماً قبل مؤتمر المناخ “كوب 28”
15 Aug 2023
على السلطات الإماراتية الإفراج عن المسجونين ظلماً قبل مؤتمر المناخ “كوب 28”
Joint Appeal COP28
Surveillance

UAE must release all those unjustly imprisoned before COP28

15 Aug 2023

Authorities in the UAE should release all those unjustly imprisoned in the country before the start of COP28.

Press Release
UAE must release all those unjustly imprisoned before COP28
15 Aug 2023
UAE must release all those unjustly imprisoned before COP28