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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.

Update: Major regulator in Kenya pledges not to shut down internet

3 Aug 2017

The Communications Authority and an opposition candidate condemned internet shutdowns, but wavered on hate speech. It’s time for the president to speak out.

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Update: Major regulator in Kenya pledges not to shut down internet
3 Aug 2017
Update: Major regulator in Kenya pledges not to shut down internet
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Scandinavia and Africa innovate while U.S. firms lose ground on transparency

3 Aug 2017

We’re seeing innovation in transparency reporting, and not always from the usual suspects. Here’s how Telia and Liquid Telecom are charging ahead.

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Scandinavia and Africa innovate while U.S. firms lose ground on transparency
3 Aug 2017
Scandinavia and Africa innovate while U.S. firms lose ground on transparency

Election watch: If Kenya orders an internet shutdown, will telcos help #KeepItOn?

26 Jul 2017

Kenya’s telcos have both the duty and capacity to push back against any government orders for a network disruption. Here’s how they can do it.

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Election watch: If Kenya orders an internet shutdown, will telcos help #KeepItOn?
26 Jul 2017
Election watch: If Kenya orders an internet shutdown, will telcos help #KeepItOn?

Access Now and EU orgs tell FCC: strengthen, don’t kill, Net Neutrality regs

18 Jul 2017

Here’s why we need to keep Title II protections for Net Neutrality in the U.S. — and build on them.

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Access Now and EU orgs tell FCC: strengthen, don’t kill, Net Neutrality regs
18 Jul 2017
Access Now and EU orgs tell FCC: strengthen, don’t kill, Net Neutrality regs
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Access Now at the United Nations: spyware in UAE, surveillance in France, and shutdowns in Africa

14 Jul 2017

Read our submissions to the United Nations on digital rights in Israel, the UAE, France, Burundi, and Mali.

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Access Now at the United Nations: spyware in UAE, surveillance in France, and shutdowns in Africa
14 Jul 2017
Access Now at the United Nations: spyware in UAE, surveillance in France, and shutdowns in Africa

U.S. court must let Facebook protect the anonymity of Trump protesters

3 Jul 2017

Access Now filed a joint “friend of the court” brief supporting Facebook in its effort to defend the anonymity of its users.

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U.S. court must let Facebook protect the anonymity of Trump protesters
3 Jul 2017
U.S. court must let Facebook protect the anonymity of Trump protesters
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We can’t reach the U.N. goals for sustainable development without the internet

22 Jun 2017

Only a stable, secure, and open internet will ensure success for the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

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We can’t reach the U.N. goals for sustainable development without the internet
22 Jun 2017
We can’t reach the U.N. goals for sustainable development without the internet
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Access Now helps to ensure LinkedIn privacy settlement benefits users at risk

20 Jun 2017

We will use the new cy press award to support programs furthering our mission, which includes ensuring that online service providers uphold strict standards respecting personal privacy online.

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Access Now helps to ensure LinkedIn privacy settlement benefits users at risk
20 Jun 2017
Access Now helps to ensure LinkedIn privacy settlement benefits users at risk
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United Nations event to explore ways to stop internet shutdowns

8 Jun 2017

The side-event at the 35th session of the Human Rights Council will feature David Kaye, U.N. Special Rapporteur on the Freedom of Expression and Opinion.

Press Release
United Nations event to explore ways to stop internet shutdowns
8 Jun 2017
United Nations event to explore ways to stop internet shutdowns

Internet shutdowns, gender, Net Neutrality, and more at the United Nations

6 Jun 2017

Your guide to the digital rights issues under discussion at the 35th session of the U.N. Human Rights Council.

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Internet shutdowns, gender, Net Neutrality, and more at the United Nations
6 Jun 2017
Internet shutdowns, gender, Net Neutrality, and more at the United Nations