Publications

Publications

Freedom of Expression
Freedom of ExpressionPublication

Access Now’s Submission to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of freedom of opinion and expression on Freedom of Expression in Challenging Times 

3 Oct 2024
Publication
Access Now’s Submission to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of freedom of opinion and expression on Freedom of Expression in Challenging Times 
3 Oct 2024
Access Now’s Submission to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of freedom of opinion and expression on Freedom of Expression in Challenging Times 
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial IntelligencePublication

Access Now Submission to the United Nations Independent Expert on human rights and international solidarity for the United Nations General Assembly 79th Session Report on “Artificial Intelligence and International Solidarity” 

3 Oct 2024
Publication
Access Now Submission to the United Nations Independent Expert on human rights and international solidarity for the United Nations General Assembly 79th Session Report on “Artificial Intelligence and International Solidarity” 
3 Oct 2024
Access Now Submission to the United Nations Independent Expert on human rights and international solidarity for the United Nations General Assembly 79th Session Report on “Artificial Intelligence and International Solidarity” 
Publication

Access Now 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
Access Now 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
Access Now 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” 
EU Human Rights Agenda
Surveillance
SurveillancePublicationEuropeEnglish

Five years for fundamental rights: Access Now’s vision for an EU digital rights agenda

3 Oct 2024

As the EU’s new 2024-2029 mandate begins, we invite EU policymakers to join us on our mission of defending and extending digital rights of people and communities at risk around the world.

Publication
Five years for fundamental rights: Access Now’s vision for an EU digital rights agenda
3 Oct 2024
Five years for fundamental rights: Access Now’s vision for an EU digital rights agenda
Bodily harms: how AI and biometrics curtail human rights PR header
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial IntelligencePublicationAsia PacificEnglish

Access Now’s submission on Taiwan AI Basic Law

16 Sep 2024

Access Now welcomes the progressive approach taken in this current preview draft text of Taiwan’s AI Basic Law, including the importance laid on protecting human rights and the concerns of individuals and vulnerable communities.

Publication
Access Now’s submission on Taiwan AI Basic Law
16 Sep 2024
Access Now’s submission on Taiwan AI Basic Law
Kenyan government violations of rights
Protest and Online Organizing
Protest and Online OrganizingPublicationAfrica

Access Now and KICTANet’s joint memorandum on Kenya’s Assembly and Demonstrations Bill, 2024

13 Sep 2024
Publication
Access Now and KICTANet’s joint memorandum on Kenya’s Assembly and Demonstrations Bill, 2024
13 Sep 2024
Access Now and KICTANet’s joint memorandum on Kenya’s Assembly and Demonstrations Bill, 2024
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial IntelligencePublicationLatin AmericaSpanish

Guía esencial para una ley de inteligencia artificial

21 Aug 2024
Publication
Guía esencial para una ley de inteligencia artificial
21 Aug 2024
Guía esencial para una ley de inteligencia artificial
Phishing infrastructure
Surveillance
SurveillancePublicationEastern Europe & Central AsiaEnglish

Spear phishing cases from Eastern Europe in 2022-2024: a technical brief

14 Aug 2024

Russia-linked phishing campaigns are targeting civil society and NGOs operating in the region and abroad, according to a new investigation by Access Now and the Citizen Lab.

Publication
Spear phishing cases from Eastern Europe in 2022-2024: a technical brief
14 Aug 2024
Spear phishing cases from Eastern Europe in 2022-2024: a technical brief
UN Cybercrime Treaty: FAQ on necessary reforms
Cybersecurity
CybersecurityPublicationGlobal

Access Now’s oral statement at 18th meeting of reconvened concluding session of UN AHC to elaborate a comprehensive international convention on countering the use of ICTs for criminal purposes

12 Aug 2024
Publication
Access Now’s oral statement at 18th meeting of reconvened concluding session of UN AHC to elaborate a comprehensive international convention on countering the use of ICTs for criminal purposes
12 Aug 2024
Access Now’s oral statement at 18th meeting of reconvened concluding session of UN AHC to elaborate a comprehensive international convention on countering the use of ICTs for criminal purposes
UN Cybercrime Treaty: FAQ on necessary reforms
Cybersecurity
CybersecurityPublicationGlobal

Letter to negotiating states regarding the UN AHC Chair’s proposal on main pending provisions of proposed cybercrime convention

7 Aug 2024
Publication
Letter to negotiating states regarding the UN AHC Chair’s proposal on main pending provisions of proposed cybercrime convention
7 Aug 2024
Letter to negotiating states regarding the UN AHC Chair’s proposal on main pending provisions of proposed cybercrime convention
UN Cybercrime Treaty: FAQ on necessary reforms
Cybersecurity
CybersecurityPublicationGlobal

Access Now’s oral statement at 14th meeting of reconvened concluding session of UN AHC to elaborate a comprehensive international convention on countering the use of ICTs for criminal purposes

7 Aug 2024
Publication
Access Now’s oral statement at 14th meeting of reconvened concluding session of UN AHC to elaborate a comprehensive international convention on countering the use of ICTs for criminal purposes
7 Aug 2024
Access Now’s oral statement at 14th meeting of reconvened concluding session of UN AHC to elaborate a comprehensive international convention on countering the use of ICTs for criminal purposes
Reporte regional de politicas de regulacion a la IA
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial IntelligencePublicationLatin AmericaEnglish

Regulatory Mapping on Artificial Intelligence in Latin America

17 Jul 2024
Publication
Regulatory Mapping on Artificial Intelligence in Latin America
17 Jul 2024
Regulatory Mapping on Artificial Intelligence in Latin America
UN Global Digital Compact
Cybersecurity
CybersecurityPublicationEnglish

Wavering resolutions: The UN Security Council on digital rights

13 Jun 2024

Even as states increasingly weaponize communication networks, the UN Security Council has remained largely silent on digital rights issues. This puts everyone at risk.

Publication
Wavering resolutions: The UN Security Council on digital rights
13 Jun 2024
Wavering resolutions: The UN Security Council on digital rights
Civil Society Pegasus Spyware
Surveillance
SurveillancePublicationEastern Europe & Central AsiaEnglish

Exiled, then spied on: Civil society in Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland targeted with Pegasus spyware

30 May 2024

At least seven more Russian, Belarusian, Latvian, and Israeli journalists and activists have been targeted with Pegasus within the EU.

Publication
Exiled, then spied on: Civil society in Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland targeted with Pegasus spyware
30 May 2024
Exiled, then spied on: Civil society in Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland targeted with Pegasus spyware
Digital Competition Bill 2024
Data Protection
Data ProtectionPublicationAsia Pacific

Submission of comments on the Draft Digital Competition Bill, 2024

16 May 2024
Publication
Submission of comments on the Draft Digital Competition Bill, 2024
16 May 2024
Submission of comments on the Draft Digital Competition Bill, 2024
KeepItOn 2023 Report Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns
Internet ShutdownsPublicationAfrica

Shrinking democracy, growing violence: internet shutdowns in 2023

15 May 2024

Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition documented 283 internet shutdowns in 2023 — the highest number since 2016.

Publication
Shrinking democracy, growing violence: internet shutdowns in 2023
15 May 2024
Shrinking democracy, growing violence: internet shutdowns in 2023

Policy brief

Header image: data protection in Africa
Data Protection

Strengthening data protection in Africa: key issues for implementation

25 Jan 2024

Access Now’s new publication on understanding the data protection framework in Africa

Publication
Strengthening data protection in Africa: key issues for implementation
25 Jan 2024
Strengthening data protection in Africa: key issues for implementation
Content Governance

Towards meaningful fundamental rights impact assessments under the DSA

18 Sep 2023
Publication
Towards meaningful fundamental rights impact assessments under the DSA
18 Sep 2023
Towards meaningful fundamental rights impact assessments under the DSA
U.N. Joint Statement RightsCon
Content Governance

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
Australia’s Privacy Act
Data Protection

Policy Brief: Nine steps to protect our data and privacy in Sri Lanka

18 Feb 2022

This brief breaks down the steps necessary to ensure Sri Lanka’s Personal Data Protection Bill is a rights-respecting data protection legislation.

Publication
Policy Brief: Nine steps to protect our data and privacy in Sri Lanka
18 Feb 2022
Policy Brief: Nine steps to protect our data and privacy in Sri Lanka

Reports

EU Human Rights Agenda
Surveillance

Five years for fundamental rights: Access Now’s vision for an EU digital rights agenda

3 Oct 2024

As the EU’s new 2024-2029 mandate begins, we invite EU policymakers to join us on our mission of defending and extending digital rights of people and communities at risk around the world.

Publication
Five years for fundamental rights: Access Now’s vision for an EU digital rights agenda
3 Oct 2024
Five years for fundamental rights: Access Now’s vision for an EU digital rights agenda
KeepItOn 2023 Report Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Shrinking democracy, growing violence: internet shutdowns in 2023

15 May 2024

Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition documented 283 internet shutdowns in 2023 — the highest number since 2016.

Publication
Shrinking democracy, growing violence: internet shutdowns in 2023
15 May 2024
Shrinking democracy, growing violence: internet shutdowns in 2023
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
Cover Image: It's not a glitch: how Meta systematically censors Palestinian voices
Content Governance

It’s not a glitch: how Meta systematically censors Palestinian voices

19 Feb 2024

This Access Now report documented cases of how Meta censors Palestinian voices on Facebook and Instagram.

Publication
It’s not a glitch: how Meta systematically censors Palestinian voices
19 Feb 2024
It’s not a glitch: how Meta systematically censors Palestinian voices

Comments and filings

Bodily harms: how AI and biometrics curtail human rights PR header
Artificial Intelligence

Access Now’s submission on Taiwan AI Basic Law

16 Sep 2024

Access Now welcomes the progressive approach taken in this current preview draft text of Taiwan’s AI Basic Law, including the importance laid on protecting human rights and the concerns of individuals and vulnerable communities.

Publication
Access Now’s submission on Taiwan AI Basic Law
16 Sep 2024
Access Now’s submission on Taiwan AI Basic Law
Kenyan government violations of rights
Protest and Online Organizing

Access Now and KICTANet’s joint memorandum on Kenya’s Assembly and Demonstrations Bill, 2024

13 Sep 2024
Publication
Access Now and KICTANet’s joint memorandum on Kenya’s Assembly and Demonstrations Bill, 2024
13 Sep 2024
Access Now and KICTANet’s joint memorandum on Kenya’s Assembly and Demonstrations Bill, 2024
UN Cybercrime Treaty: FAQ on necessary reforms
Cybersecurity

Access Now’s oral statement at 18th meeting of reconvened concluding session of UN AHC to elaborate a comprehensive international convention on countering the use of ICTs for criminal purposes

12 Aug 2024
Publication
Access Now’s oral statement at 18th meeting of reconvened concluding session of UN AHC to elaborate a comprehensive international convention on countering the use of ICTs for criminal purposes
12 Aug 2024
Access Now’s oral statement at 18th meeting of reconvened concluding session of UN AHC to elaborate a comprehensive international convention on countering the use of ICTs for criminal purposes
UN Cybercrime Treaty: FAQ on necessary reforms
Cybersecurity

Letter to negotiating states regarding the UN AHC Chair’s proposal on main pending provisions of proposed cybercrime convention

7 Aug 2024
Publication
Letter to negotiating states regarding the UN AHC Chair’s proposal on main pending provisions of proposed cybercrime convention
7 Aug 2024
Letter to negotiating states regarding the UN AHC Chair’s proposal on main pending provisions of proposed cybercrime convention
UN Cybercrime Treaty: FAQ on necessary reforms
Cybersecurity

Access Now’s oral statement at 14th meeting of reconvened concluding session of UN AHC to elaborate a comprehensive international convention on countering the use of ICTs for criminal purposes

7 Aug 2024
Publication
Access Now’s oral statement at 14th meeting of reconvened concluding session of UN AHC to elaborate a comprehensive international convention on countering the use of ICTs for criminal purposes
7 Aug 2024
Access Now’s oral statement at 14th meeting of reconvened concluding session of UN AHC to elaborate a comprehensive international convention on countering the use of ICTs for criminal purposes
Digital Competition Bill 2024
Data Protection

Submission of comments on the Draft Digital Competition Bill, 2024

16 May 2024
Publication
Submission of comments on the Draft Digital Competition Bill, 2024
16 May 2024
Submission of comments on the Draft Digital Competition Bill, 2024
European Media Freedom Act
Content Governance

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
Global encryption day 2023
Privacy

Submission to eSafety Commissioner, Australia on the draft Online Safety Industry Standards

22 Dec 2023

Access Now recommends eSafety Office against mandating online communication services, as well as file storage and cloud services, to proactively detect content on their platforms.

Publication
Submission to eSafety Commissioner, Australia on the draft Online Safety Industry Standards
22 Dec 2023
Submission to eSafety Commissioner, Australia on the draft Online Safety Industry Standards
Australia’s Privacy Act
Data Protection

Submission on Bangladesh’s draft Data Protection Act, 2023

3 Nov 2023

Access Now and Tech Global Institute’s submission on Bangladesh’s latest draft of the Data Protection Act, 2023.

Publication
Submission on Bangladesh’s draft Data Protection Act, 2023
3 Nov 2023
Submission on Bangladesh’s draft Data Protection Act, 2023
Nuevo análisis: Empresas que distribuyen tecnologías de vigilancia en LATAM no ofrecen transparencia en cuanto a su impacto en los derechos humanos
Surveillance

Remote biometric surveillance in Latin America: Are companies respecting human rights?

21 Mar 2023

Companies must address their impact on human rights and concerns raised by impacted communities or individuals.

Publication
Remote biometric surveillance in Latin America: Are companies respecting human rights?
21 Mar 2023
Remote biometric surveillance in Latin America: Are companies respecting human rights?
Access Now Oral-statement-to-UN-Global-Digital-Compact-post-header
Freedom of Expression

Access Now oral statement to the UN Global Digital Compact Informal Consultations with Member States and Stakeholders

3 Feb 2023

Access Now’s Senior UN Advocacy Officer Laura O’Brien delivered an oral statement to the UN Global Digital Compact Informal Consultations with Member States and Stakeholders on Feb 3 2023.

Publication
Access Now oral statement to the UN Global Digital Compact Informal Consultations with Member States and Stakeholders
3 Feb 2023
Access Now oral statement to the UN Global Digital Compact Informal Consultations with Member States and Stakeholders
European Media Freedom Act
Digital Security

Submission to the UNESCO Consultation on “Internet for Trust – Towards Guidelines for Regulating Digital Platforms for Information as a Public Good”

24 Jan 2023
Publication
Submission to the UNESCO Consultation on “Internet for Trust – Towards Guidelines for Regulating Digital Platforms for Information as a Public Good”
24 Jan 2023
Submission to the UNESCO Consultation on “Internet for Trust – Towards Guidelines for Regulating Digital Platforms for Information as a Public Good”
Digital Security

Access Now statement to the fourth session of the UN AHC on Cybercrime on Item 6 (Contd.)

19 Jan 2023
Publication
Access Now statement to the fourth session of the UN AHC on Cybercrime on Item 6 (Contd.)
19 Jan 2023
Access Now statement to the fourth session of the UN AHC on Cybercrime on Item 6 (Contd.)
Digital Security

Access Now statement to the fourth session of the UN AHC on Cybercrime on Item 5

19 Jan 2023
Publication
Access Now statement to the fourth session of the UN AHC on Cybercrime on Item 5
19 Jan 2023
Access Now statement to the fourth session of the UN AHC on Cybercrime on Item 5
Digital Security

Access Now statement to the fourth session of the UN AHC on Cybercrime on Item 4

16 Jan 2023
Publication
Access Now statement to the fourth session of the UN AHC on Cybercrime on Item 4
16 Jan 2023
Access Now statement to the fourth session of the UN AHC on Cybercrime on Item 4
Digital Security

Access Now statement to the fourth session of the UN AHC on Cybercrime on Item 6

12 Jan 2023
Publication
Access Now statement to the fourth session of the UN AHC on Cybercrime on Item 6
12 Jan 2023
Access Now statement to the fourth session of the UN AHC on Cybercrime on Item 6