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Brett Solomon

Executive Director

Brett Solomon is the Executive Director and co-founder of Access Now, where he leads the organization’s fight to defend and extend the digital rights of users at risk around the world. He oversees the high-level strategy for Access Now’s programmatic portfolio, is responsible for the organization’s growth and operations, and heads up the global team numbering over a hundred staff. Brett has represented Access Now at numerous national and international fora, including at the United Nations and at Davos, and is often quoted in the media including in the New York Times and on the BBC. As a skilled and experienced advocate, he has been an important leader in several campaigns and coalitions at the intersection of human rights and new technology. He has given two TED Talks, on digital democracy and on the right to peaceful protest. He was a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Data Policy and Global Agenda Council on the Future of the Internet. Brett is also the founder of RightsCon, the world’s leading summit on human rights in the digital age, which every year convenes thousands of experts, activists, technologists, and leaders from government, the private sector, and civil society. Before Access Now, Brett honed his skills at a range of human rights and civil society organizations including Avaaz, GetUp, Oxfam Australia, and Amnesty International Australia. Brett has a Bachelors in Arts and Law from the University of Sydney and a Masters in International Law at the University of New South Wales.

Bringing community insights on human rights priorities to world leaders in Davos

17 Jan 2020

Hundreds of world leaders and CEOs, along with a small group of civil society reps, are gathering at the World Economic Forum to help shape global, regional, and industry agendas for worldwide impact. We’re bringing your message.

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Bringing community insights on human rights priorities to world leaders in Davos
17 Jan 2020
Bringing community insights on human rights priorities to world leaders in Davos

Help shape our message to world leaders on human rights in 2020 and beyond

14 Jan 2020

Take the survey today to help shape our message to world leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos, and to add your voice to the call for a future built on human rights for all.

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Help shape our message to world leaders on human rights in 2020 and beyond
14 Jan 2020
Help shape our message to world leaders on human rights in 2020 and beyond
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Civil society’s online home — .ORG — is for sale

5 Dec 2019

This dubious deal was struck without consulting civil society groups that rely on .ORG to operate, without accounting for its impact on human rights, and without proper safeguards for the long-term health of online civic space. Join more than 130 organizations and thousands of concerned individuals in signing this petition to stop the sale of .ORG.

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Civil society’s online home — .ORG — is for sale
5 Dec 2019
Civil society’s online home — .ORG — is for sale

Digital civic space under attack

29 Aug 2019

Targeted cyber attacks against civil society can lead to imprisonment, torture, and even death. Our emerging norms and policies must protect the most vulnerable among us.

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Digital civic space under attack
29 Aug 2019
Digital civic space under attack
U.S. Congressional briefing

Australia’s plans for internet regulation: aimed at terrorism, but harming human rights

27 Mar 2019

Writing sound policy to address challenges linked to online speech (even “terrorist” content) requires a carefully considered, measured, and proportionate approach.

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Australia’s plans for internet regulation: aimed at terrorism, but harming human rights
27 Mar 2019
Australia’s plans for internet regulation: aimed at terrorism, but harming human rights
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Europe poised to lead on rights-respecting artificial intelligence?

21 Feb 2019

At “Governing the Game Changer” in Helsinki, we advocate for European leadership on artificial intelligence that is centered in human rights principles.

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Europe poised to lead on rights-respecting artificial intelligence?
21 Feb 2019
Europe poised to lead on rights-respecting artificial intelligence?
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Technology disruption: rights, risks, and rules

10 Dec 2018

Executive Director Brett Solomon addresses the United Nations on the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

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Technology disruption: rights, risks, and rules
10 Dec 2018
Technology disruption: rights, risks, and rules
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How is tech disrupting our human rights framework?

5 Dec 2018

Help shape our message to the United Nations on the ways in which technology has disrupted our existing human rights framework.

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How is tech disrupting our human rights framework?
5 Dec 2018
How is tech disrupting our human rights framework?
United Nations Human Rights Concil

Open letter to Michelle Bachelet, new High Commissioner for Human Rights

23 Aug 2018

We identify six areas for digital rights in which the new U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights could have a key and definitive voice during her tenure.

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Open letter to Michelle Bachelet, new High Commissioner for Human Rights
23 Aug 2018
Open letter to Michelle Bachelet, new High Commissioner for Human Rights
Secure Australia

In Australia, an inflection point for human rights

21 Jul 2018

Experts across fields and sectors will converge in Sydney for the Human Rights and Technology conference hosted by the Australian Human Rights Commission. We’ll be there.

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In Australia, an inflection point for human rights
21 Jul 2018
In Australia, an inflection point for human rights