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Deji Olukotun

Senior Global Advocacy Manager

As a member of the advocacy team, Deji Bryce Olukotun (email: [email protected]) manages Access Now's global campaigns on fighting internet shutdowns, the open internet, cybersecurity, and ensuring that our fundamental rights are respected online. He came from the literary and human rights organization PEN American Center, where he founded PEN's digital freedom program and managed its capacity-building work in Myanmar, South Africa, Haiti, and Nigeria. He holds a J.D. from Stanford Law School, a BA from Yale University, and dual masters degrees in Creative Writing and Justice & Transformation from the University of Cape Town, where he was a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar. He has also worked as corporate counsel for a small technology startup. An avid writer, Deji is the author of the novel Nigerians in Space (Unnamed Press) and After the Flare (forthcoming, 2017). His work has been featured in The Atlantic, NPR, The New York Times, and Vice.

On eve of Olympics, judge orders blocking of WhatsApp in Brazil

19 Jul 2016

The block is the third time a judge has ordered an internet shutdown in the past 7 months.

Press Release
On eve of Olympics, judge orders blocking of WhatsApp in Brazil
19 Jul 2016
On eve of Olympics, judge orders blocking of WhatsApp in Brazil

Turkey must keep on social media during unrest

15 Jul 2016

People in Turkey need access to information, and if there is violence, access to emergency services. These depend on stable communications channels.

Press Release
Turkey must keep on social media during unrest
15 Jul 2016
Turkey must keep on social media during unrest

Access Now welcomes statement on shutdowns by telecoms and internet giants

12 Jul 2016

Leading internet and telecommunications giants issued a strong rebuke of the use of internet shutdowns worldwide.

Press Release
Access Now welcomes statement on shutdowns by telecoms and internet giants
12 Jul 2016
Access Now welcomes statement on shutdowns by telecoms and internet giants
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U.N. passes landmark resolution condemning internet shutdowns

1 Jul 2016

The document condemns internet shutdowns and renews earlier resolutions that declared, unequivocally, that human rights apply online just as they do offline.

Press Release
U.N. passes landmark resolution condemning internet shutdowns
1 Jul 2016
U.N. passes landmark resolution condemning internet shutdowns

Internet disrupted in Bahrain around protests as wrestling match sparks shutdown in India

24 Jun 2016

Rights groups in Bahrain reported widespread disruptions in mobile internet service following a series of street protests.

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Internet disrupted in Bahrain around protests as wrestling match sparks shutdown in India
24 Jun 2016
Internet disrupted in Bahrain around protests as wrestling match sparks shutdown in India

U.S. military official: Internet shutdowns don’t help during conflict

22 Jun 2016

The U.S. military gave a resounding rebuke to U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump’s call to shut down the internet in the fight against ISIL.

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U.S. military official: Internet shutdowns don’t help during conflict
22 Jun 2016
U.S. military official: Internet shutdowns don’t help during conflict

Access Now launches global #KeepItOn campaign with nearly 70 organizations committing to fight internet shutdowns

9 Jun 2016

As Ghana threatens to cut off social media during elections, nearly 70 human rights organizations rally to #KeepItOn globally.

Press Release
Access Now launches global #KeepItOn campaign with nearly 70 organizations committing to fight internet shutdowns
9 Jun 2016
Access Now launches global #KeepItOn campaign with nearly 70 organizations committing to fight internet shutdowns
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Why we rallied for Khadija’s freedom

27 May 2016

We joined our friends to protest at the United Nations headquarters in New York against the jailing of journalist Khadija Ismayilova and to press for human rights.

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Why we rallied for Khadija’s freedom
27 May 2016
Why we rallied for Khadija’s freedom
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Vietnam blocks Facebook and cracks down on human rights activists during Obama visit

23 May 2016

Vietnam has blocked Facebook during U.S. President Obama’s visit to the country and cracked down on human rights activists.

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Vietnam blocks Facebook and cracks down on human rights activists during Obama visit
23 May 2016
Vietnam blocks Facebook and cracks down on human rights activists during Obama visit

Nigeria withdraws controversial social media bill in victory for free expression

17 May 2016

The Nigerian Senate withdrew a draconian bill today that would have sent people to jail for their posts on social media. Here’s our take.

Press Release
Nigeria withdraws controversial social media bill in victory for free expression
17 May 2016
Nigeria withdraws controversial social media bill in victory for free expression