To protect survivors in Sudan, authorities must #KeepItOn

As countries scramble to evacuate foreign nationals from Sudan during the ongoing armed conflict, millions of Sudanese people remain, fighting for their lives and cut off from the rest of the world. With a fragile ceasefire hanging by a thread, they can’t get access to news about the conflict, food or water supplies, or safe evacuation routes. To prevent more suffering and death, the international community and Sudanese authorities must prioritize internet access, a “critical humanitarian structure in times of conflict,” says Access Now’s Marwa Fatafta. Read more via Access Now

We need a ceasefire on internet shutdowns

Ethiopia's government hits the kill switch — again

Even after the official end of the bloody civil war that disconnected millions of Tigrayans for more than two years, Ethiopian authorities are still using internet shutdowns as a weapon of control. During recent protests in the Amhara region, they blocked mobile internet access, and many cities reportedly remain cut off. "During times of crisis or turmoil — including civil war and violent unrest — the inability to access information online can make people incredibly unsafe," warns Access Now's Bridget Andere. Join Access Now and our #KeepItOn coalition partners to demand Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed restore internet access and #KeepItOn. Read more via Access Now

Internet shutdowns in Eastern Europe and Central Asia: a war on human rights

From Russia's invasion of Ukraine to Kazakhstan's violent crackdown on protests, 2022 was a devastating year for human rights in the EECA region. It was also a record year for internet shutdowns. Read our regional deep dive on the impact of shutdowns in the EECA, now available in Ukrainian, Russian, Kazakh, Tajik, and English. Read more via Access Now

Spyware vs. press freedom

Biden’s order against commercial spyware is “upsetting the market.” Good.

After U.S. President Biden signed an executive order that bans federal agencies from using dangerous commercial spyware, surveillance tech companies are trying to re-enter the market by “changing names, creating new affiliates, morphing into something with a new name,” warns Access Now’s Michael De Dora in a piece from The Hill. If world governments want real progress on ending spyware abuse — including attacks on journalists — they should adopt a spyware moratorium, and pass laws reflecting the fact that some surveillance tech is “so invasive and so powerful that there’s no way they could ever be used in accordance with law and international human rights," he says. Read more via The Hill

World Press Freedom Day: standing together to end spyware abuse

From Hungary and Poland to Thailand, El Salvador to Jordan, journalists have been the targets of invasive and rapidly advancing spyware. Join Access Now and our partners for a special live-streamed UNESCO World Press Freedom Day side event at 10 am EDT on Wednesday, May 3 to explore the question: "How can the UN and governments build on civil society’s work and push for international action against the proliferation and abuse of spyware?" Set a livestream reminder or RSVP to join us in person at the Church Center of the United Nations in New York. Read more via Access Now

How surveillance erodes rights in Latin America

“Criminalizing journalism”: Famous Salvadoran media outlet to relocate

When journalists are put under surveillance, they can't do their jobs, protect their sources, or help hold the powerful to account. Here's why El Faro is moving its administrative and legal operations to Costa Rica, and what it means for press freedom in El Salvador. Read more via Al Jazeera

Are surveillance tech companies in Latin America respecting human rights?

The short answer is no. Following up on our research into the foreign companies supplying dangerous biometric surveillance technology to governments across Latin America, we asked 23 companies to explain how they safeguard human rights. Their silence spoke volumes. Nine companies have now responded, but their answers are far from reassuring. Read our analysis in Spanish, Portuguese, or English. Read more via Access Now

Ecuador's digital undercover agents

A new law approved by the National Assembly of Ecuador authorizes a public prosecutor to direct an investigator to anonymously infiltrate online communications platforms or even private groups to look for evidence of potential cybercrimes, without prior judicial authorization, even in the absence of any crime. Here's why this kind of fishing expedition fails to align with national or international standards, and must be declared unconstitutional. (In Spanish.) Read more via Access Now

Cross-border surveillance poses a silent threat to migrants

What happens when people from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador migrate to the U.S.? Authorities use shady biometric data sharing agreements to track them. Access Now’s Franco Giandana Gigena explains how this undermines human rights and leads to discrimination and abuse. Read in Spanish or English. Read more via El Faro

It's time to ban racist AI

As AI Act vote nears, the E.U. needs to draw a red line on racist surveillance

You can't champion the human rights of people within your borders, while using dehumanizing and discriminatory technology against the people you shut out. That's the argument EDRi's Sarah Chander and PICUM's Alyna Smith make in a powerful op-ed addressed to E.U. lawmakers finalizing the E.U. AI Act. "This exceptionalism costs lives and opens the way to the erosion of the E.U.’s own standards – and values," they write. "It is a double standard that should be called what it is: racism." Learn more about how the E.U. can — and must — protect all people, regardless of migration status. Read more via Euronews

Our data, our rights

Tunisia’s digitization programs threaten the privacy of millions

The Tunisian government is advancing major digital ID and digitization projects without the necessary privacy and data protection safeguards. In the current context, this could pave the way for mass surveillance, identity theft, data exploitation, and other rights violations and abuse. Access Now's Chérif El Kadhi explains how. Read more via Access Now

Listen: Why internet regulators need to focus on rights, not ethics

Silicon Valley's tech utopian dream is turning into a global dystopian nightmare, and regulators around the world are panicking. In this podcast episode, Access Now's Brett Solomon talks about how technology has evolved over the past decade, and why we should turn to the international human rights framework, not ethics, for solutions. Tune in via This Week in Cyberspace

Opportunities and other highlights

Support Access Now's mission — apply to join our board's finance subcommittee!

If you're an experienced financial or fundraising professional (CFO, Director, Controller, or otherwise) and you're inspired by Access Now's mission of defending the digital rights of people and communities at risk, this volunteer opportunity might be right for you. We're seeking professionals who can provide the Access Now Board with strategic guidance regarding our financial operations, fundraising, and budget. It does not require a significant time commitment — only four virtual meetings per year. If you're interested, please email Orlan Wilson (orlan @ accessnow.org) with "Access Now FSC" in the subject line, sharing your resume and a brief note of interest. Read more via Access Now

Help decolonize the digital rights movement

EDRi and the Digital Freedom Fund are looking for feedback from the wider community on a collaborative action plan aimed at dismantling power structures in the digital rights field. Check out the details and have your say. Read more via EDRi

The latest from RightsCon

Apply to join the Young Leaders Summit at RightsCon Costa Rica!

Did you know we're bringing back the Young Leaders Summit as part of in-person programming for this year's RightsCon? Learn more about this unique opportunity for people ages 18-30 to take the reins and drive the agenda for digital rights, and submit your application by May 1. Read more via Access Now