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 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.

Joint Stakeholder Report Universal Periodic Review 41st Session – India
Joint Stakeholder Report Universal Periodic Review 41st Session – India 30 August 2022 Access Now, APC, Internet Freedom Foundation

This joint stakeholder report focuses on key issues relating to human rights online in India, including internet shutdowns, digital exclusion, freedom of speech and expression online, online harassment and hate speech, privacy, surveillance and data protection.

HRC 50: Civil society presents key takeaways from Human Rights Council
HRC 50: Civil society presents key takeaways from Human Rights Council 14 July 2022 Various

 APC and other civil society organisations from around the world share reflections on the key outcomes of the 50th session of the UN Human Rights Council, as well as the missed opportunities to address key issues and situations.

Cambodia should scrap rights-abusing National Internet Gateway
Cambodia should scrap rights-abusing National Internet Gateway 16 May 2022 Various

APC and other civil society organisations are concerned that the gateway will supercharge the government’s censorship capabilities, allowing it to scale up its website blocking, and could generate self-censorship online among critical voices and independent media outlets.

Digital Services Act Human Rights Alliance: Don’t compromise on the protection of fundamental rights in the ongoing negotiations
Digital Services Act Human Rights Alliance: Don’t compromise on the protection of fundamental rights in the ongoing negotiations 22 April 2022 DSA Alliance

As the final stage of the trialogue negotiations on the Digital Services Act (DSA) is approaching, ECNL, as part of the DSA Human Rights Alliance, is calling for the Act to truly comply with international human rights standards.

International organisations call for withdrawal and reconsideration of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission Regulation for Digital, Social Media and OTT Platforms
International organisations call for withdrawal and reconsideration of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission Regulation for Digital, Social Media and OTT Platforms 07 March 2022 Various

APC and other organisations believe the draft regulations are inconsistent with the international human rights framework, imperil people’s freedom of expression and right to privacy, and could put journalists, dissidents, activists and vulnerable communities, in particular, at greater risk.

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