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#KeepItOn Report - The return of digital authoritarianism: internet shutdowns in 2021

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Business and Human Rights Digital Security Freedom of Expression Internet Shutdowns

Internet shutdowns in 2021: the return of digital authoritarianism

In 2021, Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition documented 182 internet shutdowns across 34 countries. This shows a dramatic resurgence of this oppressive form of control.…

Tiles List

Blog

Data Protection

Why Kenyans should say no to biometrics for SIM card registry

Your Kenya SIM card should not come with a demand for your personal biometrics.…

30 June 2022

Press Releases

Internet Shutdowns

Eyes on Kenya: government must uphold commitment to connectivity during elections

Access Now is urging authorities in Kenya to uphold their commitment to accessible internet during the upcoming presidential election.…

21 June 2022

Mexico Cédula Única de Identidad Digital

Access Now in the News

Uganda sued over digital ID system that excludes millions

Nita Bhalla, Reuters

16 May 2022

Access Now in the News

These are the African countries that censor the internet the most

Faustine Ngila, Quartz

13 May 2022

Access Now in the News

There’s Genocide in Tigray, but Nobody’s Talking About it

The Nation

10 May 2022

Access Now in the News

Internet shutdowns and restrictions on the rise in Africa

Focus on Africa, BBC

4 May 2022

Press Releases

Internet Shutdowns

Internet shutdowns in 2021 report: resistance in the face of blackouts in Africa

Last year, 12 countries cut internet access at least 19 times in Africa. Read “The return of digital authoritarianism: internet shutdowns in 2021” …

28 April 2022

Access Now in the News

Worldcoin Promised Free Crypto If They Scanned Their Eyeballs With “The Orb.” Now They Feel Robbed.

Richard Nieva & Aman Sethi, Buzzfeed

6 April 2022

Press Releases

Digital Identity

Go back to the drawing board: Kenya must scrap unconstitutional Huduma Bill 2021

Civil society organizations are calling on the Kenyan parliament to immediately scrap the unconstitutional Huduma Bill 2021.…

23 February 2022

Press Releases

Data Protection

Public petition: withdraw the Huduma Bill 2021

Access Now joins civil society in petitioning the Kenyan parliament to scrap the Huduma Bill 2021.…

23 February 2022

Press Releases

Internet Shutdowns

Le Burkina Faso doit immédiatement mettre fin à sa coupure d’Internet, pas la prolonger

Access Now et la coalition #KeepItOn demandent au gouvernement du Burkina Faso de rétablir l’accès à Internet pour tous, et sans exception. …

25 January 2022

Press Releases

Freedom of Expression

Le Sénégal doit montrer l’exemple, garder internet accessible pendant les élections

La coalition #KeepItOn exhorte le Sénégal à maintenir la population connectée tout au long des élections locales du 23 janvier. …

20 January 2022

Press Releases

Freedom of Expression

Senegal must set an example, keep the internet accessible during elections

Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition are urging the government of Senegal to keep the internet accessible during the upcoming elections. …

20 January 2022

KeepItOn Election shutdown handbook header image

Press Releases

Freedom of Expression

Blocking access to Twitter in Nigeria is a flagrant violation of fundamental rights

The #KeepItOn coalition is again pressuring authorities in Nigeria to immediately rescind Twitter’s “indefinite” suspension.…

13 January 2022

Press Releases

Freedom of Expression

Kenya must bin its repressive Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Bill

Access Now is urging the Kenyan parliament to protect human rights and throw out the current Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Bill draft.…

16 December 2021

Press Releases

Privacy

European Ombudsman responds to NGOs’ complaint, investigates EU’s facilitation of Africa’s surveillance network

In a win for human rights, the European Ombudsman is investigating the EU’s support for African countries to develop surveillance capabilities.…

15 December 2021

Press Releases

Freedom of Expression

#KeepItOn coalition to The Gambia: uphold democracy this election, keep people connected

The #KeepItOn coalition received no reports of internet shutdowns during The Gambia’s 2021 presidential elections.…

13 December 2021

Blog

Internet Shutdowns

Cancelled event — Voices from Ethiopia: Living through internet shutdowns

Access Now has cancelled the event “Voices from Ethiopia: Living through internet shutdowns,” scheduled for November 4, 2021.…

3 November 2021

Publications

Internet Shutdowns

Joint-Submission on the Universal Periodic Review 2021 for Tanzania

Access Now and Zaina Foundation Joint Submission to the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Universal Periodic Review 39th Session Third Cycle for the United Republic of Tanzania…

2 November 2021

Publications

Internet Shutdowns

Joint-Submission on the Universal Periodic Review 2021 for Sudan

Access Now, ARTICLE 19 Eastern Africa, and Gisa Group Joint-Submission to the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Universal Periodic Review 2021, Third Cycle for Sudan…

2 November 2021

Access Now in the News

Freedom of Expression

Slowdowns and shutdowns: Africans challenge internet restrictions

Kim Harrisberg & Nita Bhalla, Thomson Reuters Foundation News

28 October 2021

Press Releases

Privacy

Kenya’s data protection is not yet the shining example it could be

“Data protection in Kenya: how is this right protected?” explores steps for Kenyan authorities to develop a more effective Data Protection Act.…

28 October 2021

Publications

Data Protection

Data Protection in Kenya: how is this right protected?

Our new paper turns to Kenya’s Data Protection Act to lay the groundwork for a truly rights-centric approach to data protection in Kenya.…

27 October 2021

Press Releases

Freedom of Expression

يجب على السلطات السودانية التوقّف عن فرض عمليات تعتيم الاتصالات بهدف السيطرة على تدفق المعلومات أثناء الانقلاب العسكري

تُندّد منظمة اكساس ناو بقيام السلطات السودانية بفرض عملية حجب للإنترنت في الوقت الذي تحرّكت فيه القوات العسكرية للاستيلاء على الحكومة.…

25 October 2021