STANDING UP TO SURVEILLANCE
We fight surveillance laws, policies, and practices that undermine human rights. From investigating spyware attacks that target human rights defenders to fighting biometric surveillance systems that put entire communities at risk, we work to hold manufacturers and investors accountable for the impact of dangerous surveillance tech and push for strict regulations to prevent widespread abuse.
Ban Biometric Surveillance
Some surveillance technologies are so dangerous that they inevitably cause far more problems than they solve. The use of facial recognition and remote biometric technologies in publicly accessible spaces enables mass surveillance and discriminatory targeted surveillance.
Resources
Data Protection
Geneva Declaration: international community unites to end spyware abuse
Access Now and the Government of Catalonia are calling for an end to the proliferation of surveillance tech through the Geneva Declaration.
Digital Security
New guide: surveillance technology investors face significant risks if human rights are ignored
A new guide on effective due diligence will help shareholders with investments in surveillance technology prevent and mitigate human rights risks.
As the WEF meets, pressure is on world’s powerbrokers to shut down spyware industry
Brett Solomon, Daily Maverick
Data Protection
Sonic surveillance: why you don’t want AI snooping on you
The threat voice recognition technology poses to our rights needs to be addressed now — before our voices become yet another piece of biometric data to be used against us.
Digital Security
Unsafe anywhere: attacked by Pegasus, women activists speak out
Front Line Defenders and Access Now’s new report, “Unsafe anywhere: women human rights defenders speak out about Pegasus attacks,” unpacks the first-hand experiences of women navigating an increasingly hostile and dangerous environment.
Digital Security
MENA Surveillance Coalition: stop all surveillance tech sales to the region’s autocratic governments
The MENA Surveillance Coalition is demanding the immediate end to the sale of surveillance technology to Middle East and North Africa’s (MENA) autocratic governments.
Latest Updates
Spyware on trial: Justice for Saudi Activist Loujain AlHathloul
Access Now and the Gulf Centre for Human Rights have filed an amicus brief urging the Oregon U.S. District Court to hold DarkMatter, an Emirati spyware firm, accountable for illegaly hacking Saudi women’s rights activist Loujain AlHathloul.
Spyware in Europe: EU urged to protect journalists from intrusive surveillance
Meta’s decision on Hun Sen skewered as ‘failure’ to deter violence
Russian news outlet in Latvia believes European state behind phone hack
Meta releases second human rights report, activists say no concrete plan to tackle issues in India
The ramifications of spyware targeting a Russian journalist
More Russian journalists investigating possible spyware infections
Exiled Russian media co-founder targeted by Pegasus spyware
Census or spy op? Upcoming population count raises alarm
COP28: UAE authorities must stop greenwashing human rights abuses
The world must not forget Mahsa Amini
It has been a year since Mahsa Amini died while in the custody of Iran’s “morality police,” leading to waves of protests across the country – and a subsequent crackdown by the country’s rulers against dissent, both offline and online. We’ve mapped some of the troubling trends in Iran’s digital authoritarian playbook.
Open letter: Governments must address UAE human rights abuses ahead of COP28
Access Now and over 200 organizations call on governments to address the UAE’s human rights abuses ahead of COP28.
Spyware critics sound off in wake of hack of Russian journalist
The million-dollar reporter
In first, Russian journalist hacked with Pegasus
Hacking Meduza: Pegasus spyware used to target Putin’s critic
The publisher of Russian independent media org Meduza was hacked with NSO’s Pegasus spyware. As both Russia and Latvia are potential culprits, Access Now demands accountability and sanctions.