Access Now

Access Now defends and extends the digital rights of users at risk around the world. By combining innovative policy, global advocacy, and direct technical support, it fights for open and secure communications for all. Access Now is a supporter of APC's African School on Internet Governance (AfriSIG).

Online Safety Bill: Civil society organisations urge UK to protect global digital security and safeguard private communication
Online Safety Bill: Civil society organisations urge UK to protect global digital security and safeguard private communication 27 June 2023 Various

This open letter to the UK government from over 80 national and international civil society organisations, including APC, academics and cyberexperts raises concerns about the serious threat to the security of private and encrypted messaging posed by the Online Safety Bill.

Joint letter regarding civil society participation in the UN Global Digital Compact process
Joint letter regarding civil society participation in the UN Global Digital Compact process 26 May 2023 Various

In this joint letter to the co-facilitators of the Global Digital Compact process, namely Sweden and Rwanda's Permanent Representatives to the UN, APC and over 30 other civil society organisations urge them to ensure meaningful participation of civil society in the discussions.

APC resource kit: Preparing for RightsCon 2023
APC resource kit: Preparing for RightsCon 2023 24 May 2023 Gaurav Jain

This year's RightsCon will be held from 5-8 June in Costa Rica and online, where APC will focus on the themes of gender and sexuality, climate and environmental justice and gender-responsive cybersecurity. Here is our resource kit of knowledge, research and recommended readings to help us all prepare to engage with each other at this event.

Joint submission to the Global Digital Compact on gender
Joint submission to the Global Digital Compact on gender 28 April 2023 Various

This joint submission is a response to the Global Digital Compact (GDC) consultation process and its expected outcome to outline shared principles for an open, free and secure digital future for all.

We call for review and reform of the legal and regulatory framework governing internet shutdowns in India
We call for review and reform of the legal and regulatory framework governing internet shutdowns in India 06 April 2023 Various

India imposed 84 internet shutdowns in 2022, the highest number globally for the fifth year in a row. APC joins a global civil society coalition to urgently ask the Indian government to create meaningful safeguards for citizens' digital rights and ensure unfettered access to an open, secure and reliable internet. 

Joint civil society statement on the outcomes of UNGA 77 Third Committee
Joint civil society statement on the outcomes of UNGA 77 Third Committee 22 November 2022 Various

APC and other organisations marked the conclusion of the UN General Assembly's 77th Third Committee session with observations on some thematic and country-specific resolutions considered at this session and called on states to implement the commitments made in the resolutions adopted there.

Alaa Abdel-Fattah’s life at serious risk: Demand Egypt to immediately release him now!
Alaa Abdel-Fattah’s life at serious risk: Demand Egypt to immediately release him now! 09 November 2022 Various

APC and dozens of other organisations are calling on Egypt to immediately release human rights defenders Alaa Abdel-Fattah, Mohamed el-Baqer, Mohamed “Oxygen” Ibrahim Radwan and all those arrested and detained solely for exercising their rights.

Universal Periodic Review - 41st session: What is at stake for human rights online?
Universal Periodic Review - 41st session: What is at stake for human rights online? 03 November 2022

The upcoming 41st session of the UN Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review is an opportunity to highlight the most pressing concerns related to human rights online and share recommendations to promote accountability. 

India’s Draft Telco Bill empowers governments to impose internet shutdowns
India’s Draft Telco Bill empowers governments to impose internet shutdowns 27 October 2022 Various

APC and the other signatories of this open letter urge the Department of Telecommunications to withdraw the Draft Indian Telecommunication Bill and to prepare a new rights-respecting version, in consultation with stakeholders.

International coalition calls for withdrawal of Draft Indian Telco Bill: Provisions threaten end-to-end encryption
International coalition calls for withdrawal of Draft Indian Telco Bill: Provisions threaten end-to-end encryption 27 October 2022 Various

APC and the other signatories of this open letter stress that India – as the world’s largest democracy, and second largest base of internet users – has an opportunity to draft an exemplary legislation that ensures the protection of human rights in the digital age.

« Go back