“A violation of the right to life”: civil society condemns the sabotage of communications devices in Lebanon and Syria

On September 17, the nightmare began. In Lebanon, thousands of pagers simultaneously detonated, injuring and killing people indiscriminately and without warning. Within days, after attacks in both Lebanon and Syria, 3,400 people were maimed or injured, and at least 37 were dead, including at least two children. Together with our partners in the MENA Alliance on Digital Rights, we condemn these attacks — designed to terrorize and inflict harm on civilians — and demand that UN member states take immediate action to stop them. Read more via MENA Alliance on Digital Rights

The AI hypocrites

Why human rights must be at the core of AI governance

As AI governance dominates global conversations at the UN General Assembly and elsewhere, human rights are being sidelined due to loophole-ridden laws, industry lobbying, and the distraction of far-fetched sci-fi risks. At the same time, people around the world are suffering from human rights violations perpetrated using AI — from AI-powered surveillance of migrants to the horrific dystopian AI-targeting systems in Gaza. In our latest post, Access Now’s Daniel Leufer explains why we need AI governance rooted in reality and human rights — not double standards. Read more via Access Now

AI innovation über alles?

When lawmakers take steps to rein in AI, they’re often accused of hampering innovation. In a new op-ed, Access Now Board Member Marietje Schaake, a former member of the European Parliament, points out that regulations do not necessarily stifle innovation — but even if they did, we should all question the notion that “innovation is so essential that it must be prioritized over everything else.” Read more via The Financial Times

Oh, the inhumanity

Surveilling Europe’s edges: when research legitimizes border violence

Europe’s colonial expansion was bolstered by racism veiled as science. Now it's helping Europe lock down its borders from the rest of humanity. Last week we shared how digitalization leads to the dehumanization of migrants in part one of our new blog series. This week, Access Now’s Caterina Rodelli shows that it’s more than physical walls that divide people in Greece and Türkiye. Border authorities are trapping, assaulting, and pushing back migrants, sometimes with fatal consequences. Technology research projects like Horizon Europe and Horizon 2020 are being tested on the ground while border violence escalates, including accusations of enforced disappearances. Stay tuned for part three on modern-day detention camps, coming next week. Read more via Access Now

Connectivity in the line of fire

Internet in conflict: Sudan’s battle for connection

Since April 2023, the internet in Sudan has been hostage to warring parties: the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. While the Sudanese people lose their lives, liberty, and businesses, military factions continue to target internet access as fair game. Access Now’s Kassem Mnejja explains that while satellite services like Starlink may be a lifeline for aid groups, they also expose people to heightened risk, and therefore do not represent a “viable long-term solution.” He emphasizes that “a lasting solution requires both restoring stable ground-based internet infrastructure and enhancing alternative capabilities to ensure that civilians are not left in the dark.” Read more via TIMEP

WATCH: “War, famine, and satellites: Connecting the dots of the humanitarian impact of shutdowns in Sudan”

As internet blackouts in Sudan continue to silence people at risk of mass ethnic cleansing and genocide, it is imperative that the international community intervenes immediately to restore connectivity and deliver humanitarian aid. At the sidelines of the ongoing UN General Assembly this week, Access Now and GISA Group hosted a panel discussion with experts from leading platforms, research, and advocacy organizations, who propose a set of concrete and actionable recommendations for the relevant stakeholders. Watch it here. Read more via Access Now

#FreeAlaa — now

Alaa Abd el-Fattah must be released this month at the end of his prison sentence

For nearly two decades, Egyptian authorities have aggressively persecuted British-Egyptian human rights activist Alaa Abd El-Fattah, repeatedly and unjustly imprisoning and even torturing him for daring to exercise his right to free speech and protest. This coming Sunday, September 29, marks the end of his current five-year prison sentence. But according to his family and lawyers, it’s possible authorities will try to extend this excruciating nightmare until January 2027. Join Access Now and our partners to demand his release now. Write to #FreeAlaa. Read more via FairSquare

Spyware accountability cometh

New U.S.-led efforts expand global commitments to counter commercial spyware

Not all of this week’s news was bad. In fact, we saw several promising developments in the global battle to hold commercial spyware makers accountable for human rights violations perpetrated using their products. Case in point: this past Sunday, the U.S. Department of State announced that four new countries have endorsed the Joint statement on efforts to counter the proliferation and misuse of commercial spyware, part of an initiative to advance digital solidarity and take coordinated action to end spyware misuse. It’s also committing $3 million USD to support civil society advocacy and research, and to help countries develop regulations and policies to counter spyware. Read more via U.S. Department of State

WATCH: “Cyberspace under threat in the era of rising authoritarianism and global competition”

The good news doesn’t stop there. On Tuesday, members of the U.S. Senate held a subcommittee hearing on digital threats to national security and democracy. It featured powerful testimony from David Kaye, the former UN Special Rapporteur on free expression, who explored the human rights impact of spyware attacks, and offered policy recommendations that we strongly endorse. Watch it here. Read more via U.S. Foreign Relations Committee

Opportunities and other highlights

We’re hiring an Asia Pacific Policy Analyst/Counsel

We’re still looking for the right person to join our team and work on our advocacy and policy initiatives in the Asia Pacific, with a primary focus on leading efforts in the Southeast Asia sub-region. If you want to help defend and extend the digital rights of people and communities at risk, check out the details and apply! Read more via Access Now

Ready for RightsCon? Here's who’s coming!

In only five months, the global digital rights community gathers for RightsCon 2025 (Taipei and online, February 24-27), and our program is starting to take shape! Among those set to join us as session organizers: global rights groups; regional-focused organizations; governments around the world; business leaders; international and regional media; intergovernmental organizations; foundations and funders, and many more, including independent researchers, academics, creatives, and philanthropists. Don’t miss your chance to connect with a network of 10,000+ digital rights enthusiasts — register today! Read more via Access Now

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