One year on, EU AI Act collides with new political reality

This month marks one year since the EU AI Act came into force in an effort to protect people from the most dangerous and discriminatory AI systems. But today’s reality falls far short of that promise. In an op-ed for Tech Policy Press, Access Now’s Caterina Rodelli and Equinox’s Sarah Chander warn that the EU is “increasingly choosing revenue over rights” as militarization takes center stage, turning AI systems into tools for surveillance and control. With the push to strip protections, they argue that the EU could “sleepwalk into a future where ‘AI governance’ is just a euphemism for automated repression.” Read more via Tech Policy Press

Dig deeper

The EU’s AI Office must hold the line

The European Union’s AI Office — tasked with overseeing the application of the AI Act — has launched a consultation on how to regulate high-risk AI systems; tools that, if unchecked, could violate people’s fundamental rights. With Big Tech and some EU governments seeking to dilute hard-won safeguards, we’re calling on the AI Office to stand firm. Read our submission, and share our recommendations to stop the abuse of AI. Read more via Access Now

Tech that hunts, tech that hides

Beyond Project Nimbus: How Silicon Valley fuels Israel’s war machine

Big Tech’s push to expand the use of AI isn’t a neutral development. A new investigation by UntoldMag reveals that Google and other tech companies’ investments and acquisitions in Israeli companies — which are often founded by former intelligence officers — embed occupation technology into global cloud services. These tools are then used to surveil and target people in the occupied Palestinian territories. Read more via Untold Mag

ICYMI: Türkiye becomes the first to censor AI chatbot Grok

In what is reportedly a world-first, a court in Türkiye has blocked access to content generated by Grok, the AI chatbot built by xAI, for allegedly insulting national and religious figures. Access Now board member Arzu Geybulla warns this is “a stark continuation of an intensifying trend of digital censorship” — one that now extends to AI-generated content. Read more via Global Voices

Solidarity in the feed

Social media accounts of Palestinians desperate for funds are being flagged as spam

People are starving in Gaza, but social media platforms are repeatedly flagging crowdfunding campaigns as spam — cutting off a lifeline for Palestinian families, including babies and children, who are dying of hunger. Now, grassroots verification networks are emerging, with volunteers like journalist Molly Shah confirming that campaign accounts are real and adding “verified” badges to keep vital support flowing. Read more via The Guardian

Click, share, jail

LGBTQ+ Ghanaians found freedom online — now they might lose it

Ghana’s lawmakers are reviving the dangerous anti-LGBTQ+ bill that would criminalize simply identifying as LGBTQ+, sharing related content, or even helping someone find inclusive services online — with prison terms starting at five years. The bill could also force social media platforms to take down posts or hand over user data to aid criminal investigations. “This is part of a general backsliding of rights globally,” says Access Now’s Jaimee Kokonya. Read more via Context

LISTEN: “Tech-facilitated gender-based violence”

From doxxing people to creating deepfakes and deploying location-tracking spyware, attackers are using the internet to target women, LGBTQ+ communities, and migrants across Africa. In the latest episode of Legal Resources Radio from the Legal Resources Centre, Access Now’s Jaimee Kokonya unpacks how queer-phobia and xenophobia intersect online, and why attacks are surging. Drawing on findings from our recent report, she shares practical tools to help protect yourself and your community, and calls for stronger laws to hold perpetrators and platforms accountable. Listen via LEGAL RESOURCES CENTRE

ICYMI: Why we won’t stop defending LGBTQ+ digital rights

For LGBTQ+ communities, the internet should be a lifeline — but rising anti-LGBTQ+ bigotry and violence are turning it into a trap. In case you missed it, here’s our digital safety guide for LGBTQ+ activists in Africa, and a more recent post from our Digital Security Helpline with other helpful resources to stay safer online. Read more via Access Now

Safeguarding Kenya’s digital future

READ: “State of the internet in Kenya 2020-2024”

A new report from the Bloggers Association of Kenya (BAKE) celebrates growth in ICT, e-commerce, and digital activism in Kenya, but warns of rapidly shrinking civic space due to internet shutdowns during protests and elections, surveillance, tech-facilitated gender-based violence, and laws to restrict freedom of expression. The authors conclude that urgent reforms are necessary to ensure a “free, open, and equitable digital future for all Kenyans.” Read more via BAKE

Opportunities and other highlights

JOIN: RightsCon proposal training

With the RightsCon 2026 call for proposals now open, we’re offering extra support to help set your proposal up for success. You can now join our proposal training series to learn more about our review process and get tips for a strong pitch. You can also drop into our office hours to connect with our team and ask questions. Sign up now, and explore the guide to a successful proposal. Read more via Access Now

REGISTER: ARIJ Annual Forum 2025

Registration is now open for this year’s ARIJ Forum, taking place in Jordan and online from December 5-7. Exploring the theme “Rise to the Challenge,” the forum brings together journalists, media professionals, academics, lawyers, and independent media supporters to address the impact of political pressure, funding cuts, and rapid tech change in the Arab world. Register now. Register via ARIJ

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