Access Now

Access Now. It is an international non-profit human rights organization founded in 2009, dedicated to defending and extending the digital rights of users at risk around the world. The organization works at the intersection of technology and human rights law, focusing on issues such as Internet shutdowns, surveillance, censorship, and data protection. With a global team of experts, it provides direct technical support, conducts strategic advocacy, and organizes grassroots campaigns to influence policy and corporate practice.

History

The organization was established in 2009 by a group of digital rights activists, including Brett Solomon and Rebecca MacKinnon, in response to the contested 2009 Iranian presidential election and the subsequent government crackdown on online communication. Its initial mission was to provide emergency digital security assistance to human rights defenders and journalists facing repression. Following the Arab Spring uprisings, which highlighted the critical role of the internet and platforms like Twitter and Facebook, the group significantly expanded its scope and geographic reach. It opened its first international office in Tunisia in 2012 and has since established a presence across multiple continents, including regional hubs in Costa Rica, Brussels, and Berlin.

Mission and activities

The core mission is to fight for an open and secure global internet that advances human rights and social justice. Its work is organized around several key program areas: the Digital Security Helpline offers real-time, direct technical assistance to civil society groups and activists under threat; the Policy and Advocacy team engages with institutions like the United Nations, the European Union, and national governments to shape laws and norms; and the RightsCon summit series, launched in 2011, serves as a leading global conference on the future of the internet. Other critical activities include litigation, such as interventions before the European Court of Human Rights, and extensive research on trends like the use of spyware and artificial intelligence.

Advocacy campaigns

The organization runs high-profile, global campaigns targeting specific threats to digital rights. A major, sustained focus is the #KeepItOn campaign, a global coalition it leads to combat internet shutdowns and network disruptions imposed by governments from Myanmar to Ethiopia. It advocates strenuously against unchecked surveillance, challenging the practices of agencies like the National Security Agency and the export of technologies by firms like NSO Group. Other campaigns push for strong data protection regulations akin to the General Data Protection Regulation, oppose internet censorship and content moderation abuses by companies like Meta and Google, and fight to ensure encryption and anonymity tools remain legally protected.

Organizational structure

It operates as a decentralized, globally distributed team with staff based in over a dozen countries. Leadership is provided by an Executive Director and a senior management team, overseen by a Board of Directors that includes figures from academia, law, and technology. The work is supported by a diverse funding model that includes grants from major foundations like the Open Society Foundations and the Ford Foundation, as well as donations from individuals and corporations. Key operational units are divided by function—such as advocacy, helpline operations, and communications—and by region, with dedicated teams for Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and North America.

Recognition and impact

The organization is widely regarded as a leading voice in the digital rights field. Its research and advocacy have contributed to significant policy shifts, including stronger resolutions on internet access at the UN Human Rights Council and influencing the creation of the EU's Digital Services Act. The #KeepItOn campaign has documented hundreds of shutdowns and is credited with helping to restore internet access in specific instances in countries like Zimbabwe and Chad. The annual RightsCon summit has become a pivotal gathering for thousands of stakeholders from civil society, government, and the private sector. It has received awards such as the Democracy Award from the National Endowment for Democracy for its work in challenging environments.

Category:Human rights organizations Category:Digital rights organizations Category:Organizations established in 2009