Calling for Direct-to-Cell satellite connectivity amid Iran’s internet shutdowns

There are reports that internet connectivity is being sporadically restored within Iran after 20 days of darkness, but fears remain that access to the global internet will be cut off indefinitely. Direct-to-Cell (D2C) satellite technology can connect directly to standard smartphones, ensuring communities can stay connected even amid an internet shutdown. We joined WITNESS, ARTICLE 19, and the Center for Human Rights in Iran in calling on technology companies and policymakers to deploy D2C tech now, and to support embedding such deployment within regulatory, technical, and operational frameworks. Read more via WITNESS

Internet for me, not for thee

Iran’s internet blackout may become permanent, with access for elites only

While some in Iran can now connect to the internet some of the time, internet watchdog Filterwatch has been warning that Iranian authorities are building digital infrastructure to allow only those on a strict “whitelist” to access the global internet. This kind of “barracks internet” would make two-tier internet access the default in Iran, rather than a temporary measure. Read more via Rest of World

The spied-on fight back

Saudi Arabia ordered to pay GDP 3 million to London dissident over Pegasus spying

In a big victory for spyware victims, a UK court has ruled that Saudi Arabia’s government must pay millions in damages to human rights activist and satirist Ghanem Al-Masarir for having hacked his phone using the infamous NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware. The court also found that Saudi Arabia was likely responsible for the physical attack on al-Masarir that occurred on the streets of London in 2018. Read more via The Guardian

WhatsApp releases account feature that looks to combat spyware

Spyware remains a real and present danger to civil society around the world. Now, messaging platform WhatsApp is launching a new feature called “Strict Account Settings” to protect people at risk of digital attacks. “Introducing measures like this that are free and do not require advanced technical knowledge could help stop spyware harms and prevent them from happening in the future for millions of users, especially journalists, activists, and human rights defenders,” says Access Now’s Natalia Krapiva. Read more via CyberScoop

READ: “From protest to peril: Cellebrite used against Jordanian civil society”

Protesters are among the targets for spyware attacks. A new report from The Citizen Lab reveals how Jordanian authorities used Cellebrite digital forensic software to extract data from the phones of Jordanian activists and human rights defenders while they were being interrogated or detained for criticizing Israel’s war on Gaza. Read more via the Citizen Lab

Say no to ICE

Tech and justice organizations say: defund ICE surveillance tech now

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have an expansive arsenal of surveillance technologies, and it is being deployed against people across the U.S. We joined 40+ tech and tech justice organizations in calling on the U.S. Congress to block funding for ICE surveillance tech — encompassing everything from automated license plate readers and facial recognition tech to social media monitoring systems and spyware. Read more via Fight for the Future

But first, human rights

DSA Human Rights Alliance calls for enforcement to incorporate global perspectives

It is imperative that the EU follows a human rights-based approach to enforcing the Digital Services Act (DSA). The DSA Human Rights Alliance, which we co-founded with the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), has now published Principles for a Human Rights-Centered Application of the DSA: A Global Perspective. It includes recommendations for bringing diverse groups to the table as part of this process. “As activists are increasingly intimidated, journalists silenced, and science and academic freedom attacked…it is of utmost importance that the Digital Services Act's enforcement is centered around the protection of fundamental rights, including the right to the freedom of expression,” says Access Now’s Marcel Kolaja. Read more via EFF

Opportunities and other highlights

RightsCon 2026: join the Community Village – or volunteer!

Looking for a direct way to showcase your organization at RightsCon 2026 (May 5–8, Lusaka, Zambia, and online)? Applications for hosting a Community Village booth are now open. A booth gives you a dedicated physical space where you can display banners, share printed materials, or hand out merch. You can also consider becoming a volunteer; in addition to free admission, you would receive training and preparation, food and drink on-site, and a transport stipend. Learn more and apply to volunteer by March 31. Read more via Access Now

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