Cybersecurity

CYBERSECURITY

Cybersecurity attacks are redefining geopolitics and the nature of contemporary warfare. Human rights defenders, journalists, and humanitarian actors are facing unprecedented digital threats, with deep impacts on democratic processes and the safety of marginalized communities. We challenge governments and businesses engaging in global cybersecurity activities to shift their focus from state control and securitization of the internet toward protection of individual rights and the safety of people and communities at risk.

Four strategies to defend encryption and our human rights

When we fight for encryption, we fight for human rights. It enables us to stay safe online, and communicate privately and freely. Yet governments keep pushing to undermine it, and Apple’s plan to bypass encryption is an alarming sign of private sector capitulation to this pressure.

Resources

UNHRC_Eric Bridiers|

Cybersecurity

To keep us safe, global cybersecurity norms must be human-centered and protect rights

At the United Nations OEWG meetings, we highlighted the increase in cyber attacks for surveillance and the global epidemic of internet shutdowns, both of which threaten the ability to use the internet securely.

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Cybersecurity

Why Latin America should protect, not persecute, information security researchers

Information security researchers help keep people safe online, yet they are being persecuted in Latin America when they should be protected.

Digital Security

Who we hurt when we attack encryption

Encryption is a vital tool for keeping human rights defenders safe from powerful adversaries. Case studies from Access Now’s Digital Security Helpline show how strong encryption makes the world safer for everyone.

EU Ukraine

Cybersecurity

Cyberattacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure and civil society violate human rights

Following cyberattacks on Ukraine and its human rights defenders, we call on the international community to help protect people.

Private tech, humanitarian problems: how to ensure digital transformation does no harm

Connectivity

Private tech, humanitarian problems: how to ensure digital transformation does no harm

Our new report, Mapping Humanitarian Tech: exposing protection gaps in digital transformation programmes, examines how humanitarian-tech partnerships impact people and communities at risk.

Cybersecurity

Analysis: the Myanmar junta’s Cybersecurity Law would be a disaster for human rights

The Myanmar junta’s efforts to achieve ultimate control over civic space is continuing — through a devastating draft Cybersecurity Law.

Telegram vs Russia

Digital Security

Encrypt all the messages — across all the platforms

Elon Musk’s planned Twitter buyout is spurring new calls for end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for messaging. Here’s why it’s both desirable and feasible to make E2EE messaging interoperable across major communications platforms, as the E.U. Digital Markets Act envisions.

Latest Updates

ヨルダン国王への公開書簡
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity

Civil society warns of ‘critical gaps’ in UN’s draft cybercrime treaty

13 Feb 2024
News
Civil society warns of ‘critical gaps’ in UN’s draft cybercrime treaty
Voice of America ↗
13 Feb 2024
Civil society warns of ‘critical gaps’ in UN’s draft cybercrime treaty
Private tech, humanitarian problems: how to ensure digital transformation does no harm
Data Protection
Data Protection

Private tech, humanitarian problems: how to ensure digital transformation does no harm

13 Feb 2024

Our new report, Mapping Humanitarian Tech: exposing protection gaps in digital transformation programmes, examines how humanitarian-tech partnerships impact people and communities at risk.

Post
Private tech, humanitarian problems: how to ensure digital transformation does no harm
13 Feb 2024
Private tech, humanitarian problems: how to ensure digital transformation does no harm
UN Cybercrime Treaty: FAQ on necessary reforms
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity

Governments must withhold support for the current draft of cybercrime treaty

8 Feb 2024

Given fundamental concerns from stakeholders, we urge governments to consider withholding support for the current draft of cybercrime treaty.

Press Release
Governments must withhold support for the current draft of cybercrime treaty
8 Feb 2024
Governments must withhold support for the current draft of cybercrime treaty
UN Cybercrime Treaty: FAQ on necessary reforms
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity

Protect Good Faith Security Research Globally in Proposed UN Cybercrime Treaty

7 Feb 2024

The UN cybercrime treaty draft poses substantial risks to global cybersecurity and good faith cybersecurity researchers.

Press Release
Protect Good Faith Security Research Globally in Proposed UN Cybercrime Treaty
7 Feb 2024
Protect Good Faith Security Research Globally in Proposed UN Cybercrime Treaty
Image of the Investigation report: how Pegasus spyware crushes civic space in Jordan
Surveillance
Surveillance

Between a hack and a hard place: how Pegasus spyware crushes civic space in Jordan

1 Feb 2024

Access Now launched the new investigation report on how Pegasus spyware crushes civic space in Jordan.

Publication
Between a hack and a hard place: how Pegasus spyware crushes civic space in Jordan
1 Feb 2024
Between a hack and a hard place: how Pegasus spyware crushes civic space in Jordan
UN Cybercrime Treaty: FAQ on necessary reforms
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity

UN Cybercrime Convention: FAQ on necessary reforms

25 Jan 2024

What is the UN cybercrime convention, what’s wrong with its current draft, and how can you engage with it? Read our FAQ to know.

Guide
UN Cybercrime Convention: FAQ on necessary reforms
25 Jan 2024
UN Cybercrime Convention: FAQ on necessary reforms
ヨルダン国王への公開書簡
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity

Amend or reject: Joint statement on the UN Cybercrime Treaty

23 Jan 2024

Access Now and more than 100 NGOs demand state delegates to amend the draft cybercrime treaty in the upcoming concluding session of UN AHC.

Press Release
Amend or reject: Joint statement on the UN Cybercrime Treaty
23 Jan 2024
Amend or reject: Joint statement on the UN Cybercrime Treaty
Apple threat notifications
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of Expression

On eve of final negotiations, US says consensus growing around ‘narrow’ UN cybercrime treaty

23 Jan 2024
News
On eve of final negotiations, US says consensus growing around ‘narrow’ UN cybercrime treaty
The Record ↗
23 Jan 2024
On eve of final negotiations, US says consensus growing around ‘narrow’ UN cybercrime treaty
India’s Telecommunications Bill, 2023 threatens open, secure, and unhindered internet access.
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of Expression

Indian government must withdraw the Telecommunications Bill, 2023, to protect fundamental rights

21 Dec 2023

International group of organisations and experts urge DoT, India to withdraw the Telecommunications Bill, 2023, and protect fundamental rights

Press Release
Indian government must withdraw the Telecommunications Bill, 2023, to protect fundamental rights
21 Dec 2023
Indian government must withdraw the Telecommunications Bill, 2023, to protect fundamental rights
ヨルダン国王への公開書簡
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity

Latest UN Cybercrime Treaty draft a ‘significant step in the wrong direction,’ experts warn

14 Dec 2023
News
Latest UN Cybercrime Treaty draft a ‘significant step in the wrong direction,’ experts warn
The Record ↗
14 Dec 2023
Latest UN Cybercrime Treaty draft a ‘significant step in the wrong direction,’ experts warn
Palestine Israel Digital Ceasefire; Gaza’s internet
Protest and Online Organizing
Protest and Online Organizing

دعوة مفتوحة من منظمات حقوق الإنسان لوقف فوري لإطلاق النار على الأرض ورقمياً في غزة، وبحق  الفلسطينيين/ات حول العالم

23 Oct 2023

نحن، مجموعة من مؤسسات المجتمع المدني ومنظمات حقوق الإنسان الرقمية، ننضم إلى الدعوة المفتوحة للوقف الفوري لإطلاق النار في غزة.

Press Release
دعوة مفتوحة من منظمات حقوق الإنسان لوقف فوري لإطلاق النار على الأرض ورقمياً في غزة، وبحق  الفلسطينيين/ات حول العالم
23 Oct 2023
دعوة مفتوحة من منظمات حقوق الإنسان لوقف فوري لإطلاق النار على الأرض ورقمياً في غزة، وبحق  الفلسطينيين/ات حول العالم
Global encryption day 2023
Privacy
Privacy

Joint letter: the Australian government must incorporate safeguards for encryption in the online safety codes

21 Oct 2023

The Australian government must incorporate safeguards for end-to-end encryption in the online safety codes.

Press Release
Joint letter: the Australian government must incorporate safeguards for encryption in the online safety codes
21 Oct 2023
Joint letter: the Australian government must incorporate safeguards for encryption in the online safety codes
Palestine Israel Digital Ceasefire; Gaza’s internet
Protest and Online Organizing
Protest and Online Organizing

Organizaciones de derechos humanos se unen al llamado abierto al cese al fuego en Gaza y el respeto por los derechos digitales del pueblo palestino en todo el mundo

20 Oct 2023

We call on international actors to support an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, along with a “digital ceasefire” to protect Palestinians in online spaces globally.

Press Release
Organizaciones de derechos humanos se unen al llamado abierto al cese al fuego en Gaza y el respeto por los derechos digitales del pueblo palestino en todo el mundo
20 Oct 2023
Organizaciones de derechos humanos se unen al llamado abierto al cese al fuego en Gaza y el respeto por los derechos digitales del pueblo palestino en todo el mundo
Palestine Israel Digital Ceasefire; Gaza’s internet
Protest and Online Organizing
Protest and Online Organizing

Human rights organizations join the open call for an immediate physical and digital ceasefire in Gaza, and for Palestinians globally

20 Oct 2023

We call on international actors to support an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, along with a “digital ceasefire” to protect Palestinians in online spaces globally.

Press Release
Human rights organizations join the open call for an immediate physical and digital ceasefire in Gaza, and for Palestinians globally
20 Oct 2023
Human rights organizations join the open call for an immediate physical and digital ceasefire in Gaza, and for Palestinians globally
Palestine Israel Digital Ceasefire; Gaza’s internet
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of Expression

Physical and digital ceasefire in Gaza: UN, governments, Big Tech must act

20 Oct 2023

Governments, international institutions, tech companies, and other stakeholders must ensure a physical and digital ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

Press Release
Physical and digital ceasefire in Gaza: UN, governments, Big Tech must act
20 Oct 2023
Physical and digital ceasefire in Gaza: UN, governments, Big Tech must act
Rightscon Korea
Transparency
Transparency

We’re headed to South Korea: the when, where, and why of our next convening

6 Oct 2023

We’re excited to announce that the 13th edition of the RightsCon Summit Series will be held in South Korea and online in February 2025!

Post
We’re headed to South Korea: the when, where, and why of our next convening
6 Oct 2023
We’re headed to South Korea: the when, where, and why of our next convening