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Brett Solomon (Archived Bio)

Ex-Executive Director

Brett Solomon was the Executive Director and co-founder of Access Now, where he led the organization’s fight to defend and extend the digital rights of users at risk around the world. He oversaw the high-level strategy for Access Now’s programmatic portfolio, was responsible for the organization’s growth and operations, and headed up the global team numbering over a hundred staff. Brett has represented Access Now at numerous national and international fora, including at the United Nations and at Davos, and is often quoted in the media including in the New York Times and on the BBC. As a skilled and experienced advocate, he has been an important leader in several campaigns and coalitions at the intersection of human rights and new technology. He has given two TED Talks, on digital democracy and on the right to peaceful protest. He was a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Data Policy and Global Agenda Council on the Future of the Internet. Brett is also the founder of RightsCon, the world’s leading summit on human rights in the digital age, which every year convenes thousands of experts, activists, technologists, and leaders from government, the private sector, and civil society. Before Access Now, Brett honed his skills at a range of human rights and civil society organizations including Avaaz, GetUp, Oxfam Australia, and Amnesty International Australia. Brett has a Bachelors in Arts and Law from the University of Sydney and a Masters in International Law at the University of New South Wales.

A pathway forward for digital rights by Brett Solomon

A pathway forward for digital rights

18 Jul 2024

Brett Solomon shares insights from 15 years as Access Now Co-founder and Executive Director.

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A pathway forward for digital rights
18 Jul 2024
A pathway forward for digital rights
digital ceasefire gaza

We need digital ceasefires to tackle warfare in the digital age

18 Jul 2024
News
We need digital ceasefires to tackle warfare in the digital age
Context News ↗
18 Jul 2024
We need digital ceasefires to tackle warfare in the digital age
Access Now theme

Access Now welcomes Alejandro Mayoral Baños, new Executive Director

18 Jul 2024

Access Now is excited to announce the appointment of Alejandro Mayoral Baños as the organization’s new Executive Director.

Press Release
Access Now welcomes Alejandro Mayoral Baños, new Executive Director
18 Jul 2024
Access Now welcomes Alejandro Mayoral Baños, new Executive Director
Computer wires and connections

Cyber accountability in East Asia: human rights are key for cybersecurity

11 Jul 2024

China’s digital and cyber policies hurt human rights and undermine cybersecurity globally. Access Now’s Brett Solomon explores how the international community can respond.

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Cyber accountability in East Asia: human rights are key for cybersecurity
11 Jul 2024
Cyber accountability in East Asia: human rights are key for cybersecurity

Stepping down so others can step up

29 Feb 2024

After almost 15 years at the helm, Access Now’s co-founder and Executive Director Brett Solomon is stepping down from the role, making way for a new leader.

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Stepping down so others can step up
29 Feb 2024
Stepping down so others can step up

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.

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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
#KeepItOn in Sudan

To defend democracy, stand up for civil society 

30 Mar 2023

As governments, businesses, and civil society organizations gather for the 2nd U.S. Summit for Democracy, our message is clear: to defend democracy in the digital age, states must stand up for civil society, online and off.

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To defend democracy, stand up for civil society 
30 Mar 2023
To defend democracy, stand up for civil society 
surveillance

Human rights leaders at Davos 2022: spyware is a weapon — PRESS CONFERENCE

23 May 2022

Date and time: Wednesday 25 May, 2022, 10:15 – 10:45 CET

Press Release
Human rights leaders at Davos 2022: spyware is a weapon — PRESS CONFERENCE
23 May 2022
Human rights leaders at Davos 2022: spyware is a weapon — PRESS CONFERENCE
WEF spyware

As the WEF meets, pressure is on the world’s powerbrokers to shut down the spyware industry

23 May 2022

As the industry’s big players meet at the WEF in Davos this week, they must seize this opportunity to shut down the spyware industry.

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As the WEF meets, pressure is on the world’s powerbrokers to shut down the spyware industry
23 May 2022
As the WEF meets, pressure is on the world’s powerbrokers to shut down the spyware industry
U.N. Joint Statement RightsCon

Access Now addresses the U.N. Security Council on countering hate speech online

28 Oct 2021

Before the United Nations Security Council, Access Now explained proactive ways to address and counter hate speech online.

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Access Now addresses the U.N. Security Council on countering hate speech online
28 Oct 2021
Access Now addresses the U.N. Security Council on countering hate speech online