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Namrata Maheshwari

Senior Policy Counsel and Encryption Policy Lead

Namrata Maheshwari serves as Senior Policy Counsel and Encryption Policy Lead at Access Now. She leads Access Now's policy and advocacy work across South Asia. She also leads the organization's work on encryption policy globally. Previously, she worked with the Center for Democracy & Technology as a Consultant, primarily on the Freedom, Security, and Technology Project. Namrata is an India-qualified lawyer, enrolled with the bar council. She completed her LL.M. from Columbia Law School as a Stone Scholar, with a focus on technology policy and digital governance. Prior to that, she received her law degree from Jindal Global Law School with a scholarship for outstanding women. In the past, she has worked at a premiere corporate law firm in India, and as a litigator before Indian courts
YouTube approves disinformation ads in India ahead of general election

YouTube approves disinformation ads in India ahead of general election

2 Apr 2024

YouTube is approving election disinformation ads in India ahead of the country’s general election, a new joint investigation by Access Now and Global Witness has found.

Press Release
YouTube approves disinformation ads in India ahead of general election
2 Apr 2024
YouTube approves disinformation ads in India ahead of general election
YouTube approves disinformation ads in India ahead of general election

“Votes will not be counted”: Indian election disinformation ads and YouTube

2 Apr 2024

A new joint investigation by Access Now and Global Witness has found that YouTube is approving election disinformation ads in India ahead of the country’s general election.

Publication
“Votes will not be counted”: Indian election disinformation ads and YouTube
2 Apr 2024
“Votes will not be counted”: Indian election disinformation ads and YouTube
Global encryption day 2023

Children are no exception: Nevada must ensure end-to-end encryption for all

13 Mar 2024

Access Now joined an amicus brief urging the U.S. District Court to reject Nevada’s request to prevent Meta from offering end-to-end encryption on Facebook Messenger for people under 18 who use the service.

Press Release
Children are no exception: Nevada must ensure end-to-end encryption for all
13 Mar 2024
Children are no exception: Nevada must ensure end-to-end encryption for all
Russia Internet access

#KeepItOn in Pakistan: ensure open and secure internet for all during the 2024 elections

6 Feb 2024

As Pakistan heads into elections on 8 February 2024, authorities must guarantee uninterrupted internet access for everyone across the country. 

Press Release
#KeepItOn in Pakistan: ensure open and secure internet for all during the 2024 elections
6 Feb 2024
#KeepItOn in Pakistan: ensure open and secure internet for all during the 2024 elections
Russia Internet access

#KeepItOn: Pakistan’s caretaker government and election commission must ensure open and secure internet access throughout the 2024 elections 

6 Feb 2024

Access Now, the #KeepItOn coalition, and organisations from across globe urge authorities to #KeepItOn during the 2024 Pakistan elections.

Press Release
#KeepItOn: Pakistan’s caretaker government and election commission must ensure open and secure internet access throughout the 2024 elections 
6 Feb 2024
#KeepItOn: Pakistan’s caretaker government and election commission must ensure open and secure internet access throughout the 2024 elections 
TikTok

Censorship at the door: India must say no to government fact-checking 

1 Feb 2024

Indian government must refrain from implementing the fact-checking amendment to the IT Rules, 2021, until the court reaches a definitive decision.

Press Release
Censorship at the door: India must say no to government fact-checking 
1 Feb 2024
Censorship at the door: India must say no to government fact-checking 
Ghana’s anti-LGBTQ+ bill

No liberty, no safety: Sri Lanka must withdraw the Online Safety Bill

19 Jan 2024

Access Now, Hashtag Generation, and more than 50 organisations, are demanding the Government of Sri Lanka to withdraw the Online Safety Bill. 

Press Release
No liberty, no safety: Sri Lanka must withdraw the Online Safety Bill
19 Jan 2024
No liberty, no safety: Sri Lanka must withdraw the Online Safety Bill
Ghana’s anti-LGBTQ+ bill

Open letter to Sri Lankan government: Withdraw Online Safety Bill to protect people’s rights and future

19 Jan 2024

More than fifty Sri Lankan and international organisations are calling on the Sri Lankan government to withdraw the Onine Safety Bill.

Press Release
Open letter to Sri Lankan government: Withdraw Online Safety Bill to protect people’s rights and future
19 Jan 2024
Open letter to Sri Lankan government: Withdraw Online Safety Bill to protect people’s rights and future
European Media Freedom Act

Submission on India’s draft Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023

15 Jan 2024

Access Now raises concerns about peopleʼs fundamental rights in its submission on India’s Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023.

Publication
Submission on India’s draft Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023
15 Jan 2024
Submission on India’s draft Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023
#KeepItOn during elections

#KeepItOn in Bangladesh: ensure open, free internet before, during, and after elections 

4 Jan 2024

Authorities in Bangladesh must guarantee unfettered access to the internet and all other digital communication channels through all phases of the election cycle. 

Press Release
#KeepItOn in Bangladesh: ensure open, free internet before, during, and after elections 
4 Jan 2024
#KeepItOn in Bangladesh: ensure open, free internet before, during, and after elections