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).

APC at RightsCon 2019
APC at RightsCon 2019 06 June 2019 APCNews

APC will be at RightsCon Tunis, the first RightsCon summit hosted in the Middle East and North Africa. Along with our members, we will be involved in more than 45 sessions and events where we will engage in conversations on a range of critical issues. You can also come say hi at our booth!

Africa in urgent need of a homegrown online rights strategy
Africa in urgent need of a homegrown online rights strategy 15 May 2019 Koliwe Majama

Participants at the Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum in Lagos, Nigeria agreed that the African Declaration on Internet Rights and Freedoms is a good starting point for the protection and promotion of online rights and freedoms on the continent, which are increasingly under threat.

Recognising the threat of internet shutdowns: Cameroon at the CESCR
Recognising the threat of internet shutdowns: Cameroon at the CESCR 06 May 2019 Mehar Gujral

Among the recommendations made to Cameroon, the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights urged the government to improve affordable access to the internet and ensure that any measures seeking to limit internet access comply with international human rights law.

#KeepitOn: Joint letter on keeping the internet open and secure in Nigeria
#KeepitOn: Joint letter on keeping the internet open and secure in Nigeria 18 February 2019 Various

The #KeepItOn Coalition, made up by more than 180 organisations from over 68 countries, including APC, calls on the Nigerian authorities to keep the internet open during the upcoming elections in the country.

Internet shutdowns in Africa: "It is like being cut off from the world"
Internet shutdowns in Africa: "It is like being cut off from the world" 16 January 2019 APCNews

Throughout the African continent, where many APC members and partners are based, recent weeks have seen a fresh spate of internet shutdowns that have hindered public access to information and communications.

#KeepitOn: Joint letter on keeping the internet open and secure in Zimbabwe
#KeepitOn: Joint letter on keeping the internet open and secure in Zimbabwe 16 January 2019 Various

In response to reports that the government has shut down the internet, this joint open letter calls on the ICT minister of Zimbabwe to ensure the stability and openness of the internet.

Open letter: Response to Google on Project Dragonfly, China and human rights
Open letter: Response to Google on Project Dragonfly, China and human rights 11 December 2018 Various

We are writing to ask you to ensure that Google drops Project Dragonfly and any plans to launch a censored search app in China, and to re-affirm the company’s 2010 commitment that it won’t provide censored search services in the country.

HRC 39: Oral Statement on Cybercrime Law and Media Regulation Law in Egypt
HRC 39: Oral Statement on Cybercrime Law and Media Regulation Law in Egypt 18 September 2018 Access Now, APC

The Cybercrime Law and the Media Regulation Law in Egypt represent an attempt to impose full control over the flow of information online, in what seems to be an effort to close the space for public debate and prevent the exercise of the fundamental right to freedom of expression.  

Statement opposing Egypt’s legalisation of website blocking and communications surveillance
Statement opposing Egypt’s legalisation of website blocking and communications surveillance 06 September 2018 Various

The Cybercrime Law and Media Regulation Law are only the latest steps in the Egyptian government’s attempts to impose full control over the flow of information online. These actions must be opposed in order to defend Egyptians’ human rights.

Joint submission to the United Nations Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review 2018 Cycle – Cameroon
Joint submission to the United Nations Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review 2018 Cycle – Cameroon 10 October 2017

This is a joint submission to the United Nations Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review on its 2018 Cycle for Cameroon, by Access Now, ADISI-Cameroun, APC and Internet Sans Frontières. The organisations submitting this report consider that Cameroon can improve its human rights record and treatment of digital rights in several areas and make recommendations to the government of Cameroon...

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