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We are excited to share that Bridget Andere, our Senior Policy Analyst will be at #KeIGF2024! Bridget will share insights on innovative solutions and regulatory frameworks for open internet, human rights, and combating misinformation. Register here: https://lnkd.in/dtAeVnf3

The rights of people in Myanmar continue to be violated, and now, another digital ban  – this time, Signal. As the junta continues to destroy people’s access to safety and secure communications, the international community must act now to protect the rights of people in Myanmar. Since the junta’s dictatorial reign and the latest ban on VPNs, Signal has been the only secure method of communication for people in Myanmar, and now this has been snatched away. Additionally, the people in all 18 townships in Kachin State face a complete communications blackout and are at the hands of intensifying military violence with no access to emergency resources. Read more ⤵️ https://lnkd.in/ga75_S99 

Useful to look at India's Union Budget in the detailed ministry demands for grants from Parliament, rather than just the Finance Minister's speech + top level spin and press discussions. Some initial digital rights, tech policy observations on #Budget2024 from me, Namrata Maheshwari Shruti Narayan at Access Now [All figures are in Indian rupees (INR) and in crores (1 crore is equivalent to 10 million). These are initial observations. Things missed, more context, analysis, and thoughts very welcome!] - We have a data protection act, but it looks like the regulator is going to be stillborn. The data protection board is included in MEITy's demand. But a grand total of barely INR 2 crore (By contrast, CERT-In's expenditure is in the 3 digit crore range); - An IndiaAI mission has been funded in MEITY - around 500 crore; - The Unique ID Authority (UIDAI)'s allocation was cut by around 25-30 percent; - The digital payment subsidy appears to have been removed from MEITy (it was several hundred crore earlier, but reduced). However, there is a separate digital transactions related budget item and its a bit unclear what the difference between the two is (at least to us at present); - The digital literacy PMDISHA programme appears to have been defunded. The interim budget also did not have resources for it and the official website at http://pmgdisha.in also said that funds had not been released from the Ministry; - The Ministry of Electronics and IT (MEItY) also asked for funding for R&D in IT (Blockchain, Quantum Technologies, Artificial Intelligence, Perception Engineering and Data Analytics) to a wider figure of 1148 cr (joint item for r&d in electronics, CCBT); - Relatedly it looks like the executive branch is asking for funding in related areas across ministries. The Ministry of Science and Technology has also sought funding for quantum computing and encryption. A National Quantum Mission has been added formally to the budget: 420 crore; - Additionally, some overlapping funding on cyber. In the DST/Ministry of Science and Tech demands for grants, there is an item for a 'National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical'. This was there previously, but mostly unnoticed. [This National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical was approved in 2018; has set up 25 tech innovation hubs in institutes; https://nmicps.in]; - MEItY separately asked for 759 crore for cyber security projects;

The UN has finally turned its sights to the digital world, at the highest levels. The UN Global Digital Compact (GDC) is meant to be adopted by consensus in September. Access Now worked with APC and a diverse set of civil society organizations and internet governance experts to produce this joint brief on the GDC as it stands, the 3rd iteration (or Rev. 3). The GDC process now sits entirely in the hands of UN member states, many of whom have objected to a host of clauses in the wide-ranging document. So, civil society wasn't asked, but we are speaking up anyway: we find a number of deficiencies in this important, timely text. The UN should not miss this opportunity to 1) reaffirm the decentralized, inclusive, multi-stakeholder nature of internet governance, 2) underline the centrality of human rights to our global digital future, and 3) advance rights-respecting norms on AI, gender, and a host of other topics that affect communities far from UN halls. HT to Laura O'Brien Access Now for kick-starting this effort!

For over 100 hours, mobile and broadband Internet has been shut down in #Bangladesh amid violent student protests. CBS News reports that the death toll nears 180 with more than 2,500 people arrested, however, it is increasingly difficult to get accurate information from the ground with the communication blackout. This is a violation of the people's constitutional and fundamental rights to expression and access to information. Read the joint civil society statement condemning the violence, and urging authorities to restore connectivity immediately. The statement further calls on different stakeholders to act on the situation in Bangladesh and uphold human rights. More details here: https://lnkd.in/gV-GuTRy Access Now ARTICLE 19 Association for Progressive Communications PEN America PEN International Committee to Protect Journalists Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Internet Freedom Foundation Aapti Institute Software Freedom Law Centre, India (SFLC.in) Southeast Asia Freedom of Expression Network - SAFEnet Bolo Bhi Damar Juniarto EngageMedia Dovan Rai Foundation for Media Alternatives

Two months before its launch, the ambitious UN "Global Digital Compact" is 100% controlled by states. Now, civil society speaks in chorus: -That's not how the internet works -That's not good governance Our human rights demand a better GDC. Our brief:

Support Our Mission! At Access Now, we aim to defend and extend the digital rights of people and communities at risk. We partner with local actors to bring a human rights agenda to the use, development, and governance of digital technologies, and to intervene where technologies adversely impact our human rights. By combining direct technical support, strategic advocacy, grassroots grantmaking, and convenings such as RightsCon, we fight for human rights in the digital age. Here are some ways you can get involved: Stay informed by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, the Access Now Express https://lnkd.in/djgxREq, for the latest news on human rights in the digital era. Learn more about our mission by visiting our Support Us page https://lnkd.in/eQn4f4RX. Together, let’s fight for digital rights around the world!

Authorities in Bangladesh must stop toying with people’s access to the internet! After throttling internet speed and blocking platforms in specific areas over the last week, authorities in Bangladesh have now resorted to a country-wide shutdown to stifle ongoing student protests. Cutting off people’s access to the internet violates freedoms guaranteed in Bangladesh’s constitution, does not abide by the country’s law, and is never acceptable. Read more from us and the #KeepItOn coalition. ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/eC3_gj2q

Fifteen years of reflection and now, a pathway forward for digital rights — from our very own Brett Solomon. As we begin our journey to new leadership, we invite you to take a deep dive with our co-founder and parting Executive Director as he shares his journey and well-informed perspective on the way forward for digital rights. Here is what he has to say: https://lnkd.in/gcD7MmR4

We have big news to share with you! 🎉 Join us in welcoming Alejandro Mayoral Banos, PhD as our new Executive Director! He will take the reins from Brett Solomon, co-founder and Executive Director who served us for 15 years. Alejandro will begin his new role on October 1, 2024. Learn more about this transition: ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/esv8Axrk