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).

Joint statement for the protection of digital rights defenders
Joint statement for the protection of digital rights defenders 17 December 2019 Various

The undersigning civil society organisations express concern over the global trend of persecuting digital rights defenders, including security researchers and trainers who act to protect and promote human rights, and demand protection of their work and their recognition as human rights defenders.

Open letter to UN General Assembly: Proposed international convention on cybercrime poses a threat to human rights online
Open letter to UN General Assembly: Proposed international convention on cybercrime poses a threat to human rights online 06 November 2019 Various

Countering cybercrime is a key challenge that requires international cooperation. However, the approach taken in the draft resolution “Countering the use of information and communications technologies for criminal purposes” is fundamentally flawed and would restrict the use of the internet for human rights, and social and economic development.

Civil society statement to the UN General Assembly First Committee on Disarmament and International Security on cyber peace and human security
Civil society statement to the UN General Assembly First Committee on Disarmament and International Security on cyber peace and human security 21 October 2019 Various

The 14 civil society organisations supporting this statement, including APC, stress that cybersecurity includes the protection of human rights, and cybersecurity-related laws, policies and practices should not be used as a pretext to violate human rights.

Over 100 civil society organisations call on Facebook to implement end-to-end encryption across its platforms
Over 100 civil society organisations call on Facebook to implement end-to-end encryption across its platforms 07 October 2019 APCNews

APC joined over a hundred civil society organisations, including over 20 members, in supporting an open letter to Facebook encouraging the company "in no uncertain terms, to continue increasing the end-to-end security across Facebook’s messaging services."

Open Letter: Facebook’s End-to-End Encryption Plans
Open Letter: Facebook’s End-to-End Encryption Plans 07 October 2019 Various

Civil society organizations write to encourage Facebook, in no uncertain terms, to continue increasing the end-to-end security across its messaging services. Given the remarkable reach of Facebook’s messaging services, ensuring default end-to-end security will provide a substantial boon to worldwide communications freedom, to public safety, and to democratic values.

New global cybersecurity process begins: APC presents statement at UN Open Ended Working Group
New global cybersecurity process begins: APC presents statement at UN Open Ended Working Group 20 September 2019 APCNews

Created in late 2018 by the UN General Assembly, the Open Ended Working Group on developments in the field of information and telecommunications in the context of international security aims to broaden the dialogue on cybersecurity among member states, and to a certain extent, other stakeholders.

Rights in 2018: From resolutions on online gender-based violence, discrimination and privacy, to internet shutdowns in Africa, hate speech in Asia and work with youth and visual stories
Rights in 2018: From resolutions on online gender-based violence, discrimination and privacy, to internet shutdowns in Africa, hate speech in Asia and work with youth and visual stories 19 September 2019

Human rights norms and standards integrate gender and development, and are respected and promoted in internet and ICT policy, governance, development and practice. This is a compendium of the highlights from APC's Annual Report for 2018.

APC statement to the First Substantive Session of the Open-ended Working Group on developments in the field of information and telecommunications in the context of international security
APC statement to the First Substantive Session of the Open-ended Working Group on developments in the field of information and telecommunications in the context of international security 10 September 2019 Various

APC welcomes this opportunity to address the OEWG and participate in this informal dialogue with stakeholders. APC and its members are increasingly concerned about state security-centric approaches to cybersecurity policy and the exclusion of civil society from cybersecurity efforts.

Joint letter on keeping the internet open and secure in Hong Kong
Joint letter on keeping the internet open and secure in Hong Kong 05 September 2019 Various

A coalition of organisations, including APC, call on the Hong Kong authorities to refrain from the invocation of laws that would authorise the restriction or disruption of the internet and other means of communication and to ensure that the internet, including social media, remains open and secure.

Civil society organisations issue statement denouncing internet shutdowns in Sudan
Civil society organisations issue statement denouncing internet shutdowns in Sudan 12 July 2019

In the wake of violence in Sudan, MTN Sudan and other telecommunications companies blocked access to the internet through disruption of various local and roaming cellular data networks, as well as some fixed-line services.

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