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To protect journalists, ban abusive commercial spyware
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If a free press is the foundation for democracy, then a press under surveillance is a threat to democratic values. On World Press Freedom Day, Access Now and 75+ journalists, independent experts, and civil society organizations called on global leaders to ban dangerous commercial spyware used against journalists worldwide — and sanction the companies that profit from human rights violations. “Spyware is a weapon designed to attack press freedom and civic space," says Access Now's Rand Hammond in an op-ed for Tech Policy Press. "It’s time to take away the ammunition.” Read our coalition statement in English or Spanish. Read more via Access Now
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Dominican investigative journalist targeted with NSO spyware
As human rights advocates gathered in New York to celebrate World Press Freedom Day, Amnesty International broke the news that Nuria Piera, a prominent investigative journalist who has uncovered multiple instances of corruption in the Dominican Republic, has been targeted at least three times with NSO Group’s infamous Pegasus spyware. Dominican authorities "must immediately investigate this case and provide effective safeguards to protect journalists and prevent this from happening again,” says Amnesty International's Elina Castillo Jiménez. Read more via Amnesty International
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Standing up to government censors
India’s “fake news” law must not censor journalists
Spyware is far from the only digital threat to press freedom. In India, the central government is using the infamous IT Rules to grant itself the power to censor any government-related content that it deems “fake or false or misleading.” Now, Access Now and a coalition of 16 major human rights organizations, media associations, and tech groups are pushing back, urging the government to withdraw and review all provisions that “confer excessive powers on the government and lead to unchecked censorship.” Read more via Access Now
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Access Now to Indonesia court: website blocking rules violate human rights law and constitution
Indonesia already has a set of regulations — known as MR5 — that grant the government alarmingly broad censorship powers, including the power to force online platforms to remove any content deemed unlawful or that "disturbs public order" within hours, or face blocking. This week, Access Now, Open Net Korea, and the Electronic Frontier Foundation filed a friend-of-the-court brief in a case that challenges these authorities. "If they’re not in line with Indonesia’s constitution and international law, they’re simply not permissible," says Access Now's Gold Benjamin. Read more via Access Now
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Brazil’s bad habit: internet shutdowns
VLOPs or flops: Is Big Tech dodging accountability in the E.U.?
So how can governments protect free expression, while still combating illegal content? The European Union's Digital Services Act — aka the content governance "rulebook" — is an ambitious effort to do just that. But it won't be effective if it's not properly enforced. In our latest post, we share our research showing that some companies that should be designated Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) under the the law may be deflating their user numbers to avoid the DSA's requirements, undermining its capacity to protect our rights. Read more via Access Now
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Don't let TikTok play you
Opportunities and other highlights
Join us at RightsCon (Jun 5-8)
Connect with the global digital rights community
Do you want to showcase your work with a global community of 10,000+ experts on human rights in the digital age? Host a booth at RightsCon Costa Rica! Consult and share ideas with an estimated 3,000+ in-person visitors and 7,000+ online visitors. Free booths are available — learn more and apply.
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