Skip to main content
Back to content

Laura O'Brien

Senior International Counsel

Laura is Access Now’s Senior International Counsel, where she advances international law and norms on technology and cyber at international organizations, particularly the United Nations (UN). Laura represents Access Now on the Freedom Online Coalition (FOC) Advisory Network, and the previous FOC Task Force on Internet Shutdowns, which Access Now co-chaired with the Global Network Initiative, the United States (2022), and the United Kingdom (2023-2024). In 2024, Laura was appointed as an expert to the UN Universal Safeguards for Inclusive Digital Public Infrastructure where she subsequently served as a co-chair to an internal working group.

She is a licensed barrister and solicitor with the Law Society of Ontario. Laura holds an LLM from Columbia Law School, a JD from the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law, an MA from the University of Kent Brussels School of International Studies, and a BA from King’s University College at Western University.

Laura is a former ballet dancer, avid matcha drinker, and enjoys yoga, art, and photography.

UN Global Digital Compact

Joint statement: five-point plan for an inclusive WSIS+20 review

29 Mar 2025
Press Release
Joint statement: five-point plan for an inclusive WSIS+20 review
29 Mar 2025
Joint statement: five-point plan for an inclusive WSIS+20 review
مشروع قانون الإجراءات الجنائية

Oral statement at 10th Session of the UN Open Ended Working Group on ICTs

21 Feb 2025

Access Now’s oral statement at the 10th Session of the UN Open Ended Working Group on information and communication technology.

Publication
Oral statement at 10th Session of the UN Open Ended Working Group on ICTs
21 Feb 2025
Oral statement at 10th Session of the UN Open Ended Working Group on ICTs
UN Global Digital Compact

Submission to the UN on the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI and Global Dialogue on AI Governance

20 Feb 2025

Access Now’s submission on the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI and Global Dialogue on AI Governance.

Publication
Submission to the UN on the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI and Global Dialogue on AI Governance
20 Feb 2025
Submission to the UN on the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI and Global Dialogue on AI Governance
UN Global Digital Compact

Oral statement at the GDC stakeholder consultation on AI Scientific Panel and the Global Dialogue on AI Governance

19 Feb 2025

Access Now’s oral statement at the stakeholder consultation on AI Scientific Panel and the Global Dialogue on AI Governance on February 18, 2025.

Publication
Oral statement at the GDC stakeholder consultation on AI Scientific Panel and the Global Dialogue on AI Governance
19 Feb 2025
Oral statement at the GDC stakeholder consultation on AI Scientific Panel and the Global Dialogue on AI Governance
UN Global Digital Compact

Joint statement: civil society concerns and priorities for Global Digital Compact implementation

13 Dec 2024
Press Release
Joint statement: civil society concerns and priorities for Global Digital Compact implementation
13 Dec 2024
Joint statement: civil society concerns and priorities for Global Digital Compact implementation
UN Global Digital Compact

Submission to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on climate change for UN General Assembly 79th session report on “Access to information on climate change and human rights” 

3 Oct 2024
Publication
Submission to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on climate change for UN General Assembly 79th session report on “Access to information on climate change and human rights” 
3 Oct 2024
Submission to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on climate change for UN General Assembly 79th session report on “Access to information on climate change and human rights” 
UN Global Digital Compact

UN Global Digital Compact: FAQ

19 Sep 2024

What is the UN Global Digital Compact, why does it matter for the future of digital rights, and what are its human rights implications? Read our FAQ to know.

Guide
UN Global Digital Compact: FAQ
19 Sep 2024
UN Global Digital Compact: FAQ
2024 Joint civil society statement on cyber and human security

Civil society joint brief on the UN Global Digital Compact

19 Jul 2024
Press Release
Civil society joint brief on the UN Global Digital Compact
19 Jul 2024
Civil society joint brief on the UN Global Digital Compact
AI

Joint statement: Finding the good in the first UN General Assembly resolution on artificial intelligence

10 Apr 2024

We, the undersigned civil society organizations, welcome the United States-led United Nations (UN) General Assembly resolution “Seizing the opportunities of safe, secure and trustworthy artificial intelligence systems for sustainable development.”

Press Release
Joint statement: Finding the good in the first UN General Assembly resolution on artificial intelligence
10 Apr 2024
Joint statement: Finding the good in the first UN General Assembly resolution on artificial intelligence
Human Rights 75 Pledges

Internet shutdowns and the UDHR: why internet access matters for human rights in the digital age

11 Dec 2023

On the 75th anniversary of the UDHR, we explain why stopping internet shutdowns is key for upholding fundamental human rights in the digital age.

Post
Internet shutdowns and the UDHR: why internet access matters for human rights in the digital age
11 Dec 2023
Internet shutdowns and the UDHR: why internet access matters for human rights in the digital age