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Peter Micek, Esq.

General Counsel

Peter Micek is General Counsel and UN Policy Manager at Access Now, based in New York City. Peter Micek leads the Legal arm, managing risk to global programming and operations, closely with the organization’s Digital Security Helpline, Grants, and RightsCon teams. The Legal arm engages in strategic litigation and bolsters legal support for civic space online and civil society actors globally. As UN Policy Manager, Peter advances international norms and law on digital rights, including on privacy and spyware, censorship and internet shutdowns, and digital identity programs. Peter is also Lecturer at the Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) on internet governance and public policy in the digital age, and sits on the Advisory Board of the Univ. of Oklahoma College of Law’s Center for International Business and Human Rights, and formerly the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on the Future of Cybersecurity. A lawyer by training, Peter completed a JD cum laude at the University of San Francisco School of Law, and in 2010 published “A Genealogy of Home Visits,” critiquing surveillance of at-risk communities. As a law student, Peter defended independent journalists and engaged in Freedom of Information litigation at First Amendment Project. Peter studied political science and journalism at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. He is licensed by the state bars of California and New York, and has no cats.

Uganda blocks social media (again), harms human rights

11 May 2016

For the second time this year Uganda has carried out an internet shutdown during the election period. It’s time to push back.

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Uganda blocks social media (again), harms human rights
11 May 2016
Uganda blocks social media (again), harms human rights
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Access Now sends digital rights demands to 10 tech and telco chairs

14 Apr 2016

Today we sent letters to 10 companies evaluated by Ranking Digital Rights, offering guidance for improving their practices to better respect human rights.

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Access Now sends digital rights demands to 10 tech and telco chairs
14 Apr 2016
Access Now sends digital rights demands to 10 tech and telco chairs
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No more internet shutdowns! Let’s #KeepItOn.

30 Mar 2016

Join our interactive conversation on internet shutdowns and their impact on human rights, the economy, and public services.

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No more internet shutdowns! Let’s #KeepItOn.
30 Mar 2016
No more internet shutdowns! Let’s #KeepItOn.
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Don’t take their word for it: scrutinizing government transparency reports

24 Mar 2016

Reports from civil society in East Asia show that while governments are sharing more information about their requests for access to users’ data or restriction of content, sometimes the numbers aren’t adding up.

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Don’t take their word for it: scrutinizing government transparency reports
24 Mar 2016
Don’t take their word for it: scrutinizing government transparency reports
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Access Now supports U.S. FCC on consumer privacy

10 Mar 2016

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission has proposed rules to govern how Internet Service Providers handle consumer data. We support these rules, while identifying areas for improvement.

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Access Now supports U.S. FCC on consumer privacy
10 Mar 2016
Access Now supports U.S. FCC on consumer privacy

Verizon fined $1.35 million for its use of supercookies

7 Mar 2016

The FCC is fining Verizon $1.35 million for using supercookies — also known as zombie cookies or “unique identifier headers” (UIDHs) — to track mobile users’ web browsing behavior.

Press Release
Verizon fined $1.35 million for its use of supercookies
7 Mar 2016
Verizon fined $1.35 million for its use of supercookies
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Transparency for the win: What the latest reports tell us about human rights

25 Feb 2016

We’ve updated and relaunched our Transparency Reporting Index. Here’s a look at what the latest reports show about how companies are handling government demands to access users’ data or censor content.

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Transparency for the win: What the latest reports tell us about human rights
25 Feb 2016
Transparency for the win: What the latest reports tell us about human rights
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Digital rights groups ask African Union, U.N. to take action on Uganda social media blackout

23 Feb 2016

After a government-ordered social media blackout in Uganda during the presidential elections, digital rights groups are asking the African Union and the United Nations to take action to fight internet shutdowns and protect free expression.

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Digital rights groups ask African Union, U.N. to take action on Uganda social media blackout
23 Feb 2016
Digital rights groups ask African Union, U.N. to take action on Uganda social media blackout
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Access Now welcomes human rights partnership between telcos and GNI

1 Feb 2016

The GNI is a global, collaborative initiative that works to protect and advance freedom of expression and privacy in the ICT sector. Now, seven telecommunications companies have joined the initiative as observers, a laudable step toward increased accountability for respecting human rights.

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Access Now welcomes human rights partnership between telcos and GNI
1 Feb 2016
Access Now welcomes human rights partnership between telcos and GNI
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Telcos find backbone, deny Guinea’s request for users’ data

27 Jan 2016

In the west African nation of Guinea Conakry, three telcos just said “no” to government demands that they hand over all subscriber and call data.

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Telcos find backbone, deny Guinea’s request for users’ data
27 Jan 2016
Telcos find backbone, deny Guinea’s request for users’ data