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Peter Micek, Esq.

General Counsel

Peter Micek is General Counsel and UN Policy Manager at Access Now, based in New York City. Peter Micek leads the Legal arm, managing risk to global programming and operations, closely with the organization's Digital Security Helpline, Grants, and RightsCon teams. The Legal arm engages in strategic litigation and bolsters legal support for civic space online and civil society actors globally. As UN Policy Manager, Peter advances international norms and law on digital rights, including on privacy and spyware, censorship and internet shutdowns, and digital identity programs. Peter is also Lecturer at the Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) on internet governance and public policy in the digital age, and sits on the Advisory Board of the Univ. of Oklahoma College of Law’s Center for International Business and Human Rights, and formerly the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on the Future of Cybersecurity. A lawyer by training, Peter completed a JD cum laude at the University of San Francisco School of Law, and in 2010 published "A Genealogy of Home Visits," critiquing surveillance of at-risk communities. As a law student, Peter defended independent journalists and engaged in Freedom of Information litigation at First Amendment Project. Peter studied political science and journalism at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. He is licensed by the state bars of California and New York, and has no cats.
internet gateway

Digital rights win: U.S. to amend internet exemptions for sanctions programs

5 Apr 2023

The U.S. is amending internet communications general licenses to ensure sanctions regimes do not negatively impact people’s ability to access the internet in targeted countries.

Press Release
Digital rights win: U.S. to amend internet exemptions for sanctions programs
5 Apr 2023
Digital rights win: U.S. to amend internet exemptions for sanctions programs
International Womens Day Header

Silenced, spied on, and stalked: why we’re taking the fight for gender equality to the UN

6 Mar 2023
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Silenced, spied on, and stalked: why we’re taking the fight for gender equality to the UN
6 Mar 2023
Silenced, spied on, and stalked: why we’re taking the fight for gender equality to the UN
Regulating digital platforms

When sanctions undermine human rights online

18 Jan 2023

Sanctions are a preferred foreign policy tool for many states. But they can also harm human rights. Governments, businesses, and civil society must align to protect human rights and democratic values through international sanctions regimes.

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When sanctions undermine human rights online
18 Jan 2023
When sanctions undermine human rights online
Burkina Faso internet

The world must support people in Iran: sanctions relief helps connect the nation

26 Sep 2022

Access Now supports sanctions relief to keep Iran country connected — to information, platforms for expression, and the outside world.

Press Release
The world must support people in Iran: sanctions relief helps connect the nation
26 Sep 2022
The world must support people in Iran: sanctions relief helps connect the nation
Digital rights

UN roundup and delegate guide: digital rights at the United Nations

14 Sep 2022

Our new brief tracks progress on digital rights at the UN, providing recommendations for advancing international norms and standards to safeguard human rights online. 

Publication
UN roundup and delegate guide: digital rights at the United Nations
14 Sep 2022
UN roundup and delegate guide: digital rights at the United Nations
Kazakhstan internet

UK protects free flow of information amidst Russia sanctions

1 Jun 2022

The UK government has listened to civil society’s assertion that blocking the flow of information in and out of Russia will strike a blow to the rights of millions.  

Press Release
UK protects free flow of information amidst Russia sanctions
1 Jun 2022
UK protects free flow of information amidst Russia sanctions
internet shutdown #KeepItOn

Letter to U.K. government: Do not disrupt internet access in Russia or Belarus

20 May 2022

Access Now and a coalition of human rights organizations are calling on the U.K. government to ensure sanctions do not disrupt internet access in Russia or Belarus.

Press Release
Letter to U.K. government: Do not disrupt internet access in Russia or Belarus
20 May 2022
Letter to U.K. government: Do not disrupt internet access in Russia or Belarus
internet shutdown #KeepItOn

Coalition to Boris Johnson: don’t boot Russians offline via sanctions

20 May 2022

Access Now and a coalition of civil society organizations urge the U.K. government to not disrupt internet access in Russia or Belarus.

Press Release
Coalition to Boris Johnson: don’t boot Russians offline via sanctions
20 May 2022
Coalition to Boris Johnson: don’t boot Russians offline via sanctions
U.N. Joint Statement RightsCon

Why the U.N. is focusing on digital rights during humanitarian crises

21 Apr 2022

Digital rights violations enable and escalate offline violence, deepening humanitarian crises. Our latest brief recaps key developments at the 49th United Nations Human Rights Council, guiding delegates in next steps for advancing global norms and standards to protect digital rights. 

Publication
Why the U.N. is focusing on digital rights during humanitarian crises
21 Apr 2022
Why the U.N. is focusing on digital rights during humanitarian crises
surveillance

Double win! Court rejects NSO’s attempts to silence victims and derail surveillance lawsuit

9 Nov 2021

On Monday, a U.S. appeals court allowed WhatsApp’s lawsuit against Israeli spyware firm NSO Group to advance.

Press Release
Double win! Court rejects NSO’s attempts to silence victims and derail surveillance lawsuit
9 Nov 2021
Double win! Court rejects NSO’s attempts to silence victims and derail surveillance lawsuit