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Namrata Maheshwari

Asia Pacific Policy Counsel

Namrata Maheshwari is Asia Pacific Policy Counsel at Access Now. She also works on encryption policy, privacy and surveillance in a global context. Previously, she was Encryption Policy Fellow at Access Now. Prior to joining Access Now, she worked with the Center for Democracy & Technology as a Consultant, primarily on the Freedom, Security and Technology Project. Namrata completed her LL.M. from Columbia Law School and received her law degree from Jindal Global Law School prior to that. In the past, she has worked at a premiere corporate law firm in India, and then as a litigator before Indian courts

#KeepItOn 2022 Report: Weapons of control, shields of impunity - internet shutdowns in 2022

Five years in a row: India is 2022’s biggest internet shutdowns offender

28 Feb 2023

In 2022, India shut down the internet at least 84 times — more than any country, for the fifth consecutive year. Read “Weapons of control, shields of impunity: Internet shutdowns in 2022.”

Press Release
Five years in a row: India is 2022’s biggest internet shutdowns offender
28 Feb 2023
Five years in a row: India is 2022’s biggest internet shutdowns offender
India fake news law

Wikipedia blocked in Pakistan: government must end censorship expansion

8 Feb 2023

Pakistan blocked Wikipedia for not removing “sacrilegious” content. The government must cease its systematic expansion of control over online spaces.

Press Release
Wikipedia blocked in Pakistan: government must end censorship expansion
8 Feb 2023
Wikipedia blocked in Pakistan: government must end censorship expansion
India fake news law

IT Rules amendments: Indian government bids to tighten control over online content

27 Jan 2023

Access Now is alarmed by the Indian authorities’ new draft amendment to the IT Rules.

Press Release
IT Rules amendments: Indian government bids to tighten control over online content
27 Jan 2023
IT Rules amendments: Indian government bids to tighten control over online content
Image: Taxonomy of internet shutdowns

Internet throttling in Bangladesh: government, telcos must #KeepItOn

12 Dec 2022

Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition are demanding unfettered access to all people across Bangladesh at all times.

Press Release
Internet throttling in Bangladesh: government, telcos must #KeepItOn
12 Dec 2022
Internet throttling in Bangladesh: government, telcos must #KeepItOn
Image: Taxonomy of internet shutdowns

Open letter: authorities and telecom providers in Bangladesh must maintain unhindered internet access for all

9 Dec 2022

The #KeepItOn coalition calls on public authorities and internet service providers in Bangladesh to not interfere with internet access.

Press Release
Open letter: authorities and telecom providers in Bangladesh must maintain unhindered internet access for all
9 Dec 2022
Open letter: authorities and telecom providers in Bangladesh must maintain unhindered internet access for all
Telegram vs Russia

Apple doesn’t poison privacy, takes action to embolden security

8 Dec 2022

Access Now supports Apple’s commitment to strengthening safety features and urges it to continue engaging with stakeholders to build further mechanisms. 

Press Release
Apple doesn’t poison privacy, takes action to embolden security
8 Dec 2022
Apple doesn’t poison privacy, takes action to embolden security
India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Bill passed: “it’s a bad law”

Access Now’s submission on Bangladesh’s Draft Data Protection Act

21 Sep 2022
Publication
Access Now’s submission on Bangladesh’s Draft Data Protection Act
21 Sep 2022
Access Now’s submission on Bangladesh’s Draft Data Protection Act
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No place for privacy in India as government withdraws Personal Data Protection Bill

3 Aug 2022

The government has withdrawn the Personal Data Protection Bill, which had been in the works for three years, slamming the brakes indefinitely on privacy safeguards in India.

Press Release
No place for privacy in India as government withdraws Personal Data Protection Bill
3 Aug 2022
No place for privacy in India as government withdraws Personal Data Protection Bill
Meta Human Rights

Meta must disclose India’s Human Rights Impact Assessment

29 Jul 2022

Access Now calls on Meta to follow up its Human Rights Impact Assessment with full disclosure on India and concrete action to address its impacts. 

Press Release
Meta must disclose India’s Human Rights Impact Assessment
29 Jul 2022
Meta must disclose India’s Human Rights Impact Assessment
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Free expression is not safe in India: government must not slash social media safe harbour protection

21 Jul 2022

The Indian government must commit to protecting free expression and maintaining safe harbour protection for social media platforms.

Press Release
Free expression is not safe in India: government must not slash social media safe harbour protection
21 Jul 2022
Free expression is not safe in India: government must not slash social media safe harbour protection