Protest and Online Organizing

Tunisia protest

Protests and Online Organizing

The right to protest is essential for the future of human rights, justice, and democracy. Protests and online organizing are evolving in digital spaces, and autocratic governments are responding with attempts to undermine privacy, quell dissent, and punish those who speak out. We demand governments and companies respect and protect our freedom to assemble, associate, and speak freely, online and off. We also offer activists and human rights defenders digital safety tools and resources.

Tunisia protest

Will the Right to Protest survive its migration online?

The human right to protest is crucial because it is a gateway right —  it onboards us to other rights. Even for those who have never participated in a protest, or ever plan to, many of the rights we enjoy today are the result of others in the past exercising their right to protest for those rights.

Resources

Content Governance

New world disorder: digital attacks on freedom of assembly

Access Now’s latest report examines the power — and fragility — of our rights to peaceful assembly and association in the digital era.

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Freedom of Expression

Iran: alarm over mass arrests of human rights defenders amidst protests

Civil society call for an end to the deliberate violence and arrests against human rights defenders, journalists, and activists during the Iran protests

Digital rights

Freedom of Expression

At the U.N., a new push to end surveillance of protesters — and protect their lawyers

Digital surveillance is threatening the right to protest worldwide. U.N. human rights expert Clément Voule is fighting for strong encryption and tight restrictions on the use of spyware. Here’s why that push is important for human rights lawyers and the activists they represent.

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Freedom of Expression

Arab Spring: ten years in, how can we reclaim the internet as an open space?

The internet played a pivotal role during the Arab Spring protests. But a decade on, the state of internet freedom in many Arab countries has deteriorated. Join us for a virtual conversation to explore the evolution of the digital space from a tool of mobilization to one of repression.

|Image: surveillance cameras on the street.

Covid-19

RightsCon spotlight: “The Privatised Panopticon: Workers’ Surveillance in the Digital Age”

In a session with European Digital Rights at RightsCon, we will explore how surveillance technology can make your workplace function like a prison: a privatised panopticon that threatens labour movements and undermines human rights.

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Digital Security

Human rights groups ask U.N. to intervene in U.S. crackdown on racial justice protesters

Access Now and partners ask the United Nations to take a stand against the U.S. government’s violent response to peaceful protests.

Digital Security

To #SaveDotOrg, we still need safeguards

Today, NTEN, EFF, and Access Now delivered the following letter to the leaders of ISOC and PIR calling on them to reflect and to take immediate action to adopt the safeguards put forward by the #SaveDotOrg campaign.

Latest Updates

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
#KeepItOn during elections
Connectivity
Connectivity

#KeepItOn: Bangladeshi authorities must protect open and secure internet throughout the 2024 elections 

4 Jan 2024

Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition are calling on Bangladeshi authorities in Banglades to ensure people across the country have full access to the internet, social media platforms, and communication channels before, during, and after upcoming parliamentary elections.

Press Release
#KeepItOn: Bangladeshi authorities must protect open and secure internet throughout the 2024 elections 
4 Jan 2024
#KeepItOn: Bangladeshi authorities must protect open and secure internet throughout the 2024 elections 
Bangladesh flag
Digital Security
Digital Security

How to stay safe online during the 2024 Bangladesh election

2 Jan 2024

The 2024 Bangladesh election takes place on 7 January. Against a backdrop of myriad threats to digital freedoms and human rights online, we’re created a guide to help journalists, activists, and voters stay safe during the election period.

Guide
How to stay safe online during the 2024 Bangladesh election
2 Jan 2024
How to stay safe online during the 2024 Bangladesh election
Protest and human rights
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of Expression

Urgent appeal for justice: condemning the unjust prosecution of dozens of Emiratis in the UAE

27 Dec 2023

Access Now joins 40+ organizations in condemning new prosecutions by UAE authorities against over 80 Emiratis, including human rights defenders, accused of supporting a “terrorist organization.”

Press Release
Urgent appeal for justice: condemning the unjust prosecution of dozens of Emiratis in the UAE
27 Dec 2023
Urgent appeal for justice: condemning the unjust prosecution of dozens of Emiratis in the UAE
How to stay safe online in the context of conflict in Gaza
Digital Security
Digital Security

Cómo protegerse en línea en el contexto del conflicto en Gaza  

26 Oct 2023

La presente guía de consejos sobre resiliencia digital elaborada por Access Now y SMEX fue diseñada para brindarles apoyo contra las amenazas denunciadas.

Guide
Cómo protegerse en línea en el contexto del conflicto en Gaza  
26 Oct 2023
Cómo protegerse en línea en el contexto del conflicto en Gaza  
Restore Telecoms and Internet Connectivity in Gaza Now!
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of Expression

DSA: the war on Gaza is not an excuse to silence people online

26 Oct 2023

The EU’s fast-tracked “solution” to the spread of illegal content online could result in long-term consequences to freedom of speech.

Press Release
DSA: the war on Gaza is not an excuse to silence people online
26 Oct 2023
DSA: the war on Gaza is not an excuse to silence people online
How to stay safe online in the context of conflict in Gaza
Digital Security
Digital Security

Staying safe online in the context of conflict in Gaza  

24 Oct 2023

This digital resilience tipsheet compiled by Access Now and SMEX is designed to support you in defending against reported threats.

Guide
Staying safe online in the context of conflict in Gaza  
24 Oct 2023
Staying safe online in the context of conflict in Gaza  
Azerbaijan elections internet elections
Protest and Online Organizing
Protest and Online Organizing

Adiós a la opacidad: la Corte Constitucional de Colombia resolvió la sentencia sobre interrupciones a los servicios de internet

24 Oct 2023
Post
Adiós a la opacidad: la Corte Constitucional de Colombia resolvió la sentencia sobre interrupciones a los servicios de internet
24 Oct 2023
Adiós a la opacidad: la Corte Constitucional de Colombia resolvió la sentencia sobre interrupciones a los servicios de internet
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
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
Chain link fence
Protest and Online Organizing
Protest and Online Organizing

Joint Statement: Internet Governance Forum must reverse decision to make Saudi Arabia its next host

12 Oct 2023

An IGF 2024 hosted by Saudi Arabia is incompatible with the event’s multistakeholder model, as human rights risks make robust civil society engagement impossible.

Campaign
Joint Statement: Internet Governance Forum must reverse decision to make Saudi Arabia its next host
12 Oct 2023
Joint Statement: Internet Governance Forum must reverse decision to make Saudi Arabia its next host
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
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of Expression

Where to find Access Now at FIFAfrica 2023

20 Sep 2023
Post
Where to find Access Now at FIFAfrica 2023
20 Sep 2023
Where to find Access Now at FIFAfrica 2023
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of Expression

COP28: UAE authorities must stop greenwashing human rights abuses

14 Sep 2023
Press Release
COP28: UAE authorities must stop greenwashing human rights abuses
14 Sep 2023
COP28: UAE authorities must stop greenwashing human rights abuses