European Parliament backs Europol expansion

The European Parliament’s Civil Liberties, Justice, and Home Affairs (LIBE) Committee this week voted to expand the powers of the EU’s border agency, Europol — a move Access Now’s Caterina Rodelli described as greenlighting plans “to turn Europe into a digital police state.” Civil society organizations have warned that the planned reforms, touted as necessary to reduce “migrant -smuggling,” will only increase harmful surveillance and criminalization of migrants and racialized people. We urge MEPs to reject the proposal in the final plenary vote later this month. Read more via Equinox

Dig deeper

ICYMI: How a new Europol reform threatens digital war on migrants

To understand exactly why the planned Europol expansion is so dangerous, check out the #ProtectNotSurveil’s coalition’s analysis, co-authored by Access Now, EDRi, and the Equinox Initiative for Racial Justice earlier this year. It explains how the reform will pave the way for a widespread increase in the use of biometric surveillance, bulk data collection, data exchange with non-European countries, and the criminalization of online content deemed to be “instigating” irregular migration. Read more via Access Now

Under attack — and fighting back

How NGOs die: Europe's playbook for dismantling democracy

Civil society is under attack worldwide, including in the EU — despite its claims to “champion” the sector. In an op-ed for EU Observer, academic and civic entrepreneur Alberto Alemanno breaks down how EU institutions and national governments are systematically and deliberately undermining trust in the organizations intended to hold them, and corporate interests, accountable to the public — even as they push forward a deregulation agenda that would undo decades of progress on human rights. Read more via EU Observer

The EU must safeguard the independence of data protection authorities

Access Now, along with the Irish Council of Civil Liberties (ICCL), EDRi, and almost 40 other civil organizations, has written to EU Commissioner Michael McGrath to share our concerns over the news that a former Meta lobbyist has been appointed as Ireland’s newest Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) — a decision that “raises serious questions about the perception and reality of the DPC’s independence at a time when its impartiality is of critical importance for the entire EU.” Read more via EDRi

Democracy, disrupted

How an internet blackout affected Tanzania's election

Last week, Tanzanian authorities imposed a near-total, six-day internet shutdown during elections, amid deadly protests. Following condemnation by the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR), connectivity is reportedly being restored — but the shutdown’s impact on democracy is likely to be long-lasting. The blackout “disrupted people's electoral participation, blocked remittances, obstructed monitoring efforts from election observers, and made it extremely difficult for journalists and activists to document and verify reported human rights abuses,” explains Access Now’s Felicia Anthonio. Read more via Context

Social media reportedly blocked in Cameroon

In the wake of last month’s disputed elections in Cameroon, which were marred by internet disruptions despite civil society warnings, there are fresh reports that authorities are blocking access to social media platforms that people use to protest and speak out against the election results. If you’re in Cameroon, you can help verify these reports to ensure accountability — simply install this OONI tool and run a test. You can find more information on how to help here. Read more via Access Now

#KeepItOn: Authorities in Nigeria must reconnect people in Zamfara North now

Millions of people in Zamfara North, a district in northwestern Nigeria, have reportedly been unable to access the internet for more than three months, with no official explanation for the shutdown. It's having a devastating impact on people’s livelihoods, education, and ability to connect with loved ones. And it's not the first time Nigerian authorities have reached for the kill switch or attempted to tighten control over the digital sphere. We urge authorities to immediately and fully restore access across the district, and refrain from imposing any future disruptions. Read more via Access Now

Encrypt all the things

How encryption protects journalists and human rights defenders in West Africa

For human rights defenders, activists, and journalists operating in potentially hostile environments, one digital tool is absolutely necessary for staying safe online: encryption. Yet governments worldwide continue to undermine it, often based on “national security” grounds. Kehinde Adegboyega of Human Rights Journalists Network Nigeria talks to Global Voices about why attacking encryption only makes everyone more vulnerable. Read more via Global Voices

Opportunities and other highlights

RightsCon 2026: Speaker & Facilitator list is open!

As part of our commitment to making the program for RightCon 2026 (May 5–8, Lusaka, Zambia and online) as diverse as our community, we’re excited to announce that nominations for the Speaker & Facilitator List are now open. If you’d like to contribute your skills and expertise to our summit, nominate yourself before November 27. Read more via Access Now

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