Surveillance

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

Spyware: a threat to human rights and democracy

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.

Musk

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.

Voice recognition tech header image|voice recognition technology social card image

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.

Más allá de Pegasus: políticas públicas contra periodistas y sociedad civil en El Salvador

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

Hacking Meduza: Pegasus spyware used to target Putin’s critic
Surveillance
Surveillance

US rolls out visa restriction policy on people who abuse spyware to target journalists, activists

7 Feb 2024
News
US rolls out visa restriction policy on people who abuse spyware to target journalists, activists
ABC News ↗
7 Feb 2024
US rolls out visa restriction policy on people who abuse spyware to target journalists, activists
Hacking Meduza: Pegasus spyware used to target Putin’s critic
Surveillance
Surveillance

Visa restrictions on the way for commercial spyware vendors

6 Feb 2024
News
Visa restrictions on the way for commercial spyware vendors
Forbes ↗
6 Feb 2024
Visa restrictions on the way for commercial spyware vendors
Armenia spyware victims: Pegasus hacking in war
Surveillance
Surveillance

One small step for accountability: U.S. announces anonymous visa sanctions program for spyware violations

6 Feb 2024

In a positive but limited step, the U.S.’s new sanctions policy will deny visas to individuals who are involved in, facilitate, or financially benefit from the misuse of commercial spyware.

Press Release
One small step for accountability: U.S. announces anonymous visa sanctions program for spyware violations
6 Feb 2024
One small step for accountability: U.S. announces anonymous visa sanctions program for spyware violations
Image of the Investigation report: how Pegasus spyware crushes civic space in Jordan
Surveillance
Surveillance

35 Jordanian lawyers, journalists, and activists infected by Pegasus spyware

2 Feb 2024
News
35 Jordanian lawyers, journalists, and activists infected by Pegasus spyware
OCCRP ↗
2 Feb 2024
35 Jordanian lawyers, journalists, and activists infected by Pegasus spyware
Image of the Investigation report: how Pegasus spyware crushes civic space in Jordan
Surveillance
Surveillance

“أكسس ناو”: التجسس على 30 صحافياً ومحامياً وناشطاً في الأردن ببرمجية بيغاسوس الإسرائيلية

1 Feb 2024
News
“أكسس ناو”: التجسس على 30 صحافياً ومحامياً وناشطاً في الأردن ببرمجية بيغاسوس الإسرائيلية
Al Araby ↗
1 Feb 2024
“أكسس ناو”: التجسس على 30 صحافياً ومحامياً وناشطاً في الأردن ببرمجية بيغاسوس الإسرائيلية
Image of the Investigation report: how Pegasus spyware crushes civic space in Jordan
Surveillance
Surveillance

Dozens in Jordan targeted by authorities using NSO spyware, report finds

1 Feb 2024
News
Dozens in Jordan targeted by authorities using NSO spyware, report finds
The Guardian ↗
1 Feb 2024
Dozens in Jordan targeted by authorities using NSO spyware, report finds
Digital Security Helpline and Apple threat notifications
Surveillance
Surveillance

NSO’s Spyware Used to Hack Phones of Jordan Critics, Report Says

1 Feb 2024
News
NSO’s Spyware Used to Hack Phones of Jordan Critics, Report Says
Bloomberg ↗
1 Feb 2024
NSO’s Spyware Used to Hack Phones of Jordan Critics, Report Says
Hacking Meduza: Pegasus spyware used to target Putin’s critic
Surveillance
Surveillance

Digital rights groups identity 35 Pegasus hacking victims in Jordan

1 Feb 2024
News
Digital rights groups identity 35 Pegasus hacking victims in Jordan
Washington Post ↗
1 Feb 2024
Digital rights groups identity 35 Pegasus hacking victims in Jordan
Image of the Investigation report: how Pegasus spyware crushes civic space in Jordan
Surveillance
Surveillance

تقرير: هكذا اُستخدم برنامج “بيغاسوس” للتجسس على أكثر من 30 صحفياً وناشطاً وسياسياً في الأردن

1 Feb 2024
News
تقرير: هكذا اُستخدم برنامج “بيغاسوس” للتجسس على أكثر من 30 صحفياً وناشطاً وسياسياً في الأردن
Arabic EuroNews ↗
1 Feb 2024
تقرير: هكذا اُستخدم برنامج “بيغاسوس” للتجسس على أكثر من 30 صحفياً وناشطاً وسياسياً في الأردن
Image of the investigation report on how Pegasus crushes civic space in Jordan
Surveillance
Surveillance

New spyware attacks exposed: civil society targeted in Jordan

1 Feb 2024

A new joint investigation reveals the widespread use of Israeli-owned NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware in Jordan.

Press Release
New spyware attacks exposed: civil society targeted in Jordan
1 Feb 2024
New spyware attacks exposed: civil society targeted in Jordan
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
Image of the Investigation report: how Pegasus spyware crushes civic space in Jordan
Surveillance
Surveillance

CPJ calls for an investigation into the targeting of journalists with Pegasus spyware in Jordan

1 Feb 2024
News
CPJ calls for an investigation into the targeting of journalists with Pegasus spyware in Jordan
Committee to Protect Journalists ↗
1 Feb 2024
CPJ calls for an investigation into the targeting of journalists with Pegasus spyware in Jordan
header image: pushing back against IMEI registration in Myanmar
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

The world must bring down Myanmar’s digital iron curtain

31 Jan 2024

Today marks three years since Myanmar’s junta seized power in a violent coup. Access Now is calling on the international community to offer resources to resist digital oppression.

Press Release
The world must bring down Myanmar’s digital iron curtain
31 Jan 2024
The world must bring down Myanmar’s digital iron curtain
Myanmar's digital dictatorship
Connectivity
Connectivity

A call for global solidarity and decisive action to end Myanmar’s military rule and ensure victory for the people resisting dictatorship

31 Jan 2024

Access Now and a coalition of human rights organizations call on the international and business community to resist the digital coup in Myanmar.

Press Release
A call for global solidarity and decisive action to end Myanmar’s military rule and ensure victory for the people resisting dictatorship
31 Jan 2024
A call for global solidarity and decisive action to end Myanmar’s military rule and ensure victory for the people resisting dictatorship
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
Azerbaijan elections internet elections
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

What the U.S. can and must do to reconnect Gaza

18 Jan 2024

Gaza is suffering under its ninth recent telecommunications and internet shutdown. We outline how the U.S. can help reconnect Gaza.

Post
What the U.S. can and must do to reconnect Gaza
18 Jan 2024
What the U.S. can and must do to reconnect Gaza