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U.S. blocklists Sandvine for enabling digital repression in Egypt
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In the latest step toward stopping surveillance and censorship tech companies profiting from human rights violations, the U.S. government has added Canada-based tech firm Sandvine to its Entity List. Sandvine has a track record of enabling authoritarian oppression, including supplying the Egyptian government with web-monitoring tech used to surveil, censor, and target civil society. This is a “major accountability moment for digital rights in Egypt and beyond,” notes Access Now’s Marwa Fatafta, adding that “internet blocking should not go on business as usual.” Read more via Access Now
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A tightening net for freedom of expression
Saudi Arabia's fake "safe harbor" for free speech
In Saudi Arabia, speaking out online can see you prosecuted, imprisoned, or banned from traveling, simply for expressing dissent or defending human rights. Now Saudi authorities are proposing two new laws that would give the Kingdom even greater power to silence its critics — potentially even outside Saudi Arabia. Read more via Access Now
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LISTEN: Democracy on the brink in Tunisia?
Over a decade ago, Tunisian activists used social media platforms to spread pro-democracy messages and spark waves of protest across the Middle East and North Africa. Today, Tunisian authorities are leveraging these same platforms to identify and intimidate their critics. Speaking to BBC Trending, Access Now’s Aymen Zaghdoudi explains how both old and new laws are being used to “persecute people for what they publish.” Tune in via BBC Sounds
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The shutdowns just keep coming
Rising internet shutdowns in India spark fears of authoritarianism before election
With general elections just weeks away, activists warn that Indian authorities are clamping down on dissent by shutting down the internet and ordering social media platform X to suspend specific accounts and remove certain posts. Speaking to the South China Morning Post about the dangers of shutdowns, Access Now’s Raman Jit Singh Chima warns that they “have such a disproportionate impact that they cannot be justified in a constitutional, rule-of-law-focused democracy like India.” Read more via SCMP
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Human rights aren’t optional
President Nana Akufo-Addo must reject Ghana’s anti-LGBTQ+ bill
In a blow to human rights and decency, the parliament of Ghana has approved a new law that criminalizes the mere existence of LGBTQ+ people in Ghana, and aims to outlaw any organizations engaging in LGBTQ+ advocacy. Civil society has warned that this law jeopardizes freedom of expression, the right to privacy, and protection against incitement to violence. As Access Now’s Jaimee Kokonya notes, it will also have a “detrimental effect on how people, including human rights activists, engage online.” We urge President Nana Akufo-Addo to uphold Ghana’s obligations to protect and promote human rights for all, and reject this law. Read more via Access Now
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READ: Bridging the digital divide for LGBTQ+ communities worldwide
LGBTQ+ intolerance is on the rise and LGBTQ+ rights are increasingly curtailed, both online and offline. Civil society is pushing back against dangerous anti-LGBTQ+ laws and policies. But as a new report by ILGA Global documents, LGBTQ+ people are still excluded from digital spaces, while also facing rising online harassment and a lack of legal protections in indifferent or downright hostile jurisdictions. Read more via ILGA Global
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The end of an era – and a new beginning
Stepping down so others can step up
After almost 15 years at the helm of Access Now, our co-founder Brett Solomon is stepping down from the Executive Director role, making way for a new leader to carry our fight for digital rights forward. In a new post, he shares why the time is right to make this move, reflects on how far Access Now has come since its beginnings, and gives thanks to all those who have made this journey possible. In his own words, “Having what is right and just on our side has made the journey easier, especially when speaking truth to power.” Read more from Brett. Read more via Access Now
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The search is on for our new Executive Director
Do you have the skills, knowledge, and vision to take the reins as Access Now’s next Executive Director? Access Now is seeking a highly capable, intuitive leader with lived experience and/or extensive knowledge of the issues to which we are committed. This candidate should have a track record working in digital rights or a deep understanding of the human rights framework — or both. To learn more about the role and apply, read this post from Access Now’s Board and the position description. Read more via Access Now
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Opportunities and other highlights
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