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Access Now
@accessnow.org
740 followers 47 following 130 posts
We defend and extend the digital rights of people and communities at risk 🌎.
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accessnow.org
When we defend digital rights, we defend our right to exist, resist, and be heard — both online and off.

Visit our website to learn more about your digital rights and how to defend them ➡️ www.accessnow.org
Technology is not neutral — it mirrors power. Those of us who are already targeted and oppressed experience the harshest digital realities. For example: Women and LGBTQ+ people face online harassment and doxxing. Journalists and activists are targeted with spyware for doing their jobs. Marginalized people and migrants are tracked through biometric systems. It’s not only about access, but about whose rights are protected and whose are ignored. The question is no longer whether technology affects human rights — it’s how we fight back to make sure they are upheld. We need policies, platforms, and people like YOU who center human rights, not control or profit. Digital spaces are battlegrounds to advance human rights. When we defend digital rights, we defend our right to exist, resist, and be heard — both online and off. Visit our website to learn more about your digital rights and how to defend them.
November 10, 2025 at 1:31 PM
accessnow.org
Digital rights are everyone’s business — including yours.

From surveillance to shutdowns, our human rights online are under attack every day.

Learn more on our website: www.accessnow.org
Digital rights are everyone’s business — including yours! From mass surveillance that decimates our privacy to internet shutdowns that silence us, our human rights online are constantly under threat. This is why safeguarding digital rights isn’t optional — it’s essential for justice, democracy, and dignity in the digital age. First… what are digital rights? Digital rights are the same human rights we all have — in digital spaces. They protect how we can express ourselves, access information, and safeguard our privacy in the digital age. They include: Freedom of expression Privacy and data protection Protest and online organizing If you use the internet and participate in our increasingly digital world, these rights are YOUR business. Almost every aspect of our lives now depends on digital technology. Without digital rights, our basic freedoms collapse. When governments shut down the internet, communities lose their voice. When companies harvest our data, our privacy vanishes. When algorithms decide what we see, democracy is distorted. Protecting digital rights means defending our ability to speak, connect, and participate freely in our societies.
November 10, 2025 at 1:31 PM
accessnow.org
2/2 If you are in Cameroon, help us gather more evidence to verify social media restrictions:

✅ Install OONI Probe: ooni.org/install/mobile
✅ Run test: run.ooni.org/v2/10252

See further instructions on how to do this ⬇️
November 5, 2025 at 12:52 PM
accessnow.org
1/2 We are receiving reports of social media blocking in Cameroon amid post-election protests.

To help navigate the disruptions, download any of the VPNs recommended below to stay connected. #KeepItOn
November 5, 2025 at 12:52 PM
accessnow.org
The EU’s proposed Europol Reform hands sweeping new powers to a police agency already criticised for rights violations.

Mass data collection.Biometric tracking. Racialised surveillance.

MEPs must #VoteNo on 5 Nov.

@europarl.europa.eu @ec.europa.eu @eu2025dk.bsky.social
LAST CALL STOP THE EUROPOL REGULATION A threat to rights, privacy and democracy, disguised as "fighting smuggling".
October 30, 2025 at 11:01 AM
accessnow.org
While some progress has been made, transparency and accountability continue to lag far behind what global users deserve.

We reached out to these companies, shared recommendations, and urged them to act on areas needing improvement. ⬇️ 🧵
What we heard back: -Meta: Explained existing remedies and noted challenges with encrypted services. -Microsoft: Shared detailed overview of its human rights impact assessments and next steps for the Gaza assessments. Without transparency and accountability, our rights are at risk. We wish to underscore the urgent need for transparent reporting, impact assessments, and engagement with local as well as global human rights experts. As companies and technologies grow more complex, these collaborations are essential to protect people’s human rights and safety. Read more in our bio.
October 29, 2025 at 7:30 AM
accessnow.org
It’s been more than a decade since @rankingrights began assessing how tech giants respect human rights. The latest results are disappointing.

The 2025 RDR Index reveals that none of the 14 companies evaluated achieved a score above 50% in their human rights performance. 🧵 ⬇️
How much can you really trust Big Tech? The 2025 RDR Index reveals that the world’s biggest tech companies are falling behind on transparency for their users. Why does this matter? What’s the RDR Index? The RDR Index evaluates the policies and practices of the world’s most powerful tech and telecom companies — and examines how they affect people’s fundamental human rights. The 2025 Big Tech Edition measured: Governance Freedom of expression Privacy This year, they looked at 14 major companies. None of them scored above 50%. The Index looked at: Alibaba, Alphabet (Google), Amazon, Apple, Baidu, ByteDance (TikTok), Kakao, Meta, Microsoft, Samsung, Tencent, VK, X, Yandex. Some showed improvements, but none scored high enough to show they are protecting users’ rights. In other words, no company is doing enough. We reached out to all 14 companies with the RDR Index recommendations, asking how they will improve. So far, responses have only come from Meta and Microsoft. The other companies — like Google, Amazon, and Apple — have remained silent.
October 29, 2025 at 7:30 AM
accessnow.org
منذ عامين وأكثر، لم تعتمد السلطات الإسرائيلية على القوة العسكرية فقط، بل استعانت أيضاً بشركات التكنولوجيا في حربها على غزة. فالاستهداف القائم على الذكاء الاصطناعي والهجمات على البنية التحتية وحجب الإنترنت عمق معاناة الفلسطينيين وسط الإبادة الجماعية.🧵

www.amnesty.org/en/latest/ne...
شركات التكنولوجيا الكبرى تجني الأرباح من الإبادة الجماعية في غزة
October 9, 2025 at 4:55 PM
accessnow.org
As a new school year begins in the MENA region, not every student gets a fair shot at education.

Governments keep turning to internet blackouts as a “solution” to exam cheating. #NoExamShutdown 🔽 🧵
White background with black and red student illustration. Schools are back in the Middle East and North Africa, but will exam shutdowns return as well during this new academic year? #NoExamShutdown #KeepItOn
September 25, 2025 at 3:15 PM
accessnow.org
Alaa Abd el-Fattah is finally FREE!

After years of unjust imprisonment, hunger strikes, and tireless campaigning by his family and friends, we’re welcoming the news that Egyptian President Sisi has granted him a pardon.

Welcome back, Alaa. Your freedom is long overdue.
#FreeAlaa with drawing of Alaa Abd El-Fattah. Alaa Abd el-Fattah is finally FREE! Access Now logo
September 23, 2025 at 4:39 PM
accessnow.org
The book Internet Shutdowns in Africa: Technology, Rights and Power is here!

Proud that our #KeepItOn Global Campaign Manager, Felicia Anthonio, and MENA Campaigner, @kassemmnejja.bsky.social, contributed.

Dive in ▶️ www.bloomsburycollections.com/monograph?do...
Book cover: Digtal Africa. Edited by Felicia Anthonio & Tony Roberts. Internet Shutdowns in Africa. Technology, Rights and Power.
September 17, 2025 at 2:20 PM
accessnow.org
RightsCon 2026 is headed to Zambia!

The 14th edition of RightsCon will be held in Lusaka, Zambia and online, from May 5 to May 8, 2026.

Read our recent blog post to learn more about our host country, our major milestones, and what to expect for RightsCon 2026! ➡️ www.rightscon.org/rightscon26-...
July 25, 2025 at 7:15 PM
accessnow.org
Let’s connect at #IGF25!

Our Digital Safety Clinic will be open to all who need help with digital security: activists, journalists, and civil society allies.

📍 Lillestrøm, Norway
🗓️ June 24–27

🌍 Not attending? We’ve still got you: accessnow.org/help/
Join the digital safety clinic at the Internet Governance Forum 2025 in Norway June 24-27, 2025 In person support and advice for members of civil society
June 23, 2025 at 8:21 PM
accessnow.org
Heading to #IGF25? Drop by our Digital Safety Clinic!
We’re supporting activists, journalists & civil society to boost digital security.

📍 Lillestrøm, Norway
🗓️ June 24–27

🌍 Not there? Reach out here 👉 www.accessnow.org/help/
June 20, 2025 at 4:15 PM
accessnow.org
The EU wants to expand deportations, including of children.

The new Deportation Regulation fuels detention, criminalization, and digital surveillance.

The #ProtectNotSurveil coalition calls on the European Commission to withdraw its proposal.

Read more:
www.accessnow.org/press-releas...
The EU must drop the new Deportation Regulation and stop the digitalisation of the deportation regime.
June 18, 2025 at 1:00 PM
accessnow.org
Hey #RightsCon2025, get the tea on digital rights!
Sign up for Access Now’s newsletter. ⬇️

www.accessnow.org/express
A cup filled with tea bags with a graphic and text that says We're spilling the tea on digital rights
February 26, 2025 at 1:06 PM
accessnow.org
Are you at #RightsCon2025 in person?

Find our Digital Safety Clinic! If you are worried about phishing, hacked accounts, or surveillance, experts from our Digital Security Helpline + trusted partners can assist with hands-on tools to help you protect yourself online.
Join the Digital Safety Clinic at RightsCon in Taipei! February 24-27. In person support and advice. Coordinated by Access Now's Digital Security Helpline and its trusted partners.
February 24, 2025 at 12:10 PM
accessnow.org
Myanmar has risen to the top of our shame list after suffering 85 shutdowns, a clear continuity of human rights violations led by the military + other perpetrators. The conditions in Myanmar are dire. The international community must step up and act now!
Myanmar topped the list for the first time with 85 imposed shutdowns. Most of the shutdowns were imposed by its military regime, but at least six different perpetrators imposed at least one shutdown within the country’s borders. India – who has topped the list since 2018 – dropped to second with 84 imposed shutdowns, but maintained the same troubling patterns of abuse. Pakistan imposed 21 shutdowns, the highest number ever for the country. Russia imposed 19 shutdowns, including seven in Ukraine as part of its ongoing full-scale invasion. From bad to worse, but civil society struck back! The #KeepItOn coalition: Monitored high-risk elections to advocate against shutdowns. Denounced exam-related shutdowns in MENA and beyond. Continued to work with partners, including VPN service providers. Documented first-hand stories from the many people impacted around the world. OONI launched an initiative to enhance community-driven censorship testing. (Find some of these stories in the full 2024 report) Our long-term partner didn’t give up either: Cloudflare made its shutdown tracking tools available in 12 languages. Noteworthy achievements in 2024 January Bangladesh upheld its commitment to ensure unfettered access to the internet throughout their election. They later regressed with protest-related shutdowns but the new government is pursuing accountability through an investigative committee. March The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights adopted a landmark resolution urging member states to refrain from imposing shutdowns during elections. September At the 2024 UN Summit of the Future, world leaders committed to “refrain from internet shutdowns and measures that target internet access,” as part of the Pact for the Future and Global Digital Compact. November Authorities in Mauritius rescinded an order to ban social media during their election, after 24 hours of pushback from local + international civil society.
February 24, 2025 at 2:42 AM
accessnow.org
The #KeepItOn 2024 report is here!

In 2024, the #KeepItOn coalition documented impact stories along with 296 shutdowns around the world + increased social media blocks. We documented 72 shutdowns coinciding with grave human rights abuses in 17 countries. It’s the worst year yet!
“During times of political unrest, the streets become dangerous, and information spreads mostly online. Without internet access, I have no way to stay informed about what’s happening. This isolation disrupts everything. I can only plan and organize when the internet returns, leaving our lives at the mercy of these shutdowns.” — Retired professor, Venezuela Dive into the stories and key findings of the #KeepItOn 2024 report From bad to worse 296 shutdowns documented In 2024 together with the #KeepItOn coalition, we documented a record-breaking 103 conflict-related shutdowns in 11 countries and new tools and tactics to collectively punish or terrorize people living through war and violence by warring parties. 2024 has also set a new record for platform blocks, with a total of 71 blocks recorded in 35 countries. Leading shutdown triggers in 2024 103 conflict-related 74 protest-related 16 exam-related 12 election-related Authorities continued to impose shutdowns to cover up grave human rights abuses such as: Killing protesters Targeting civilians with airstrikes Blocking humanitarian aid In total, we documented 72 shutdowns coinciding with grave human rights abuses in 17 countries. This must STOP!
February 24, 2025 at 2:42 AM