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Region: South Africa

Header image: data protection in Africa

How governments can strengthen data protection in Africa

25 Jan 2024

Digitisation in Africa has led many countries to develop data protection laws. We explore ways to strengthen these frameworks.

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How governments can strengthen data protection in Africa
25 Jan 2024
How governments can strengthen data protection in Africa
Header image: data protection in Africa

Strengthening data protection in Africa: key issues for implementation

25 Jan 2024

Access Now’s new publication on understanding the data protection framework in Africa

Publication
Strengthening data protection in Africa: key issues for implementation
25 Jan 2024
Strengthening data protection in Africa: key issues for implementation
Shutdowns right to education

Courts must #KeepItOn to protect the right to education

21 Sep 2022

Governments cite administration of education as a rationale for internet shutdowns during exams. Here’s why shutdowns are never compatible with the right to education.

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Courts must #KeepItOn to protect the right to education
21 Sep 2022
Courts must #KeepItOn to protect the right to education

Open letter to MTN’s new Chief Executive Officer: open the door to civil society

29 Sep 2020

The undersigned civil society organizations, write to invite Ralph Mupita, new Chief Executive Officer at MTN, into dialogue with our community, and provide guidance on how telcos like MTN can better respect the human rights of their users. 

Press Release
Open letter to MTN’s new Chief Executive Officer: open the door to civil society
29 Sep 2020
Open letter to MTN’s new Chief Executive Officer: open the door to civil society

Op-ed: MTN’s opaque policies and role in internet shutdowns trigger alarm bells

29 Sep 2020

BusinessDay: Telcos are key actors in the fight for human rights and public welfare, and MTN is one of Africa’s most prominent telecom service providers. Yet its dealings are almost completely opaque and require drastic transformation.

News
Op-ed: MTN’s opaque policies and role in internet shutdowns trigger alarm bells
29 Sep 2020
Op-ed: MTN’s opaque policies and role in internet shutdowns trigger alarm bells

Access Now brief: how African countries can shape cybercrime laws that protect rights

21 Dec 2016

We analyze draft laws in four countries, providing guidance to help legislators protect human rights.

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Access Now brief: how African countries can shape cybercrime laws that protect rights
21 Dec 2016
Access Now brief: how African countries can shape cybercrime laws that protect rights
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South Africa draft cybersecurity and cybercrime bill misses the mark

3 Dec 2015

The South African government is considering a draft bill that, as written, undermines the rights to privacy, lacks transparency, and chills security research and online expression.

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South Africa draft cybersecurity and cybercrime bill misses the mark
3 Dec 2015
South Africa draft cybersecurity and cybercrime bill misses the mark
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In failing to honor its obligations for international legal assistance, U.S. harms all users

28 Apr 2015

Last week, Access and a number of allies sent a letter to Congressional leadership calling for improvements to the U.S. MLAT system. We point out that the current failure of the U.S. to comply quickly with requests for international legal assistance pushes governments to use other means of obtaining information, including surveillance, that infringe users’ rights and risk the integrity and interoperability of the internet.

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In failing to honor its obligations for international legal assistance, U.S. harms all users
28 Apr 2015
In failing to honor its obligations for international legal assistance, U.S. harms all users

Access welcomes MTN Human Rights Policy

20 May 2014

The South Africa-based telco MTN, which operates in 21 countries across the Middle East and Africa, recently released its first Group Human Rights Policy. MTN announced its support for user rights to privacy, security, communication and information, using the Access “Telco Action Plan” as a guiding policy document.

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Access welcomes MTN Human Rights Policy
20 May 2014
Access welcomes MTN Human Rights Policy