Project profile — Advancing digital security protection for Civil society actors and human rights defenders

This project aims to increase the safety and security of actors and organizations working to uphold human rights. Project activities include: (1) providing technical digital security support, training, and advice to human rights defenders (HRDs), women human rights defenders (WHRDs), and at-risk actors; (2) publishing data, blog posts, reports, and other documentation identifying digital threats to HRDs, WHRDs, and at-risk actors; and (3) convening HRDs, WHRDs, and at-risk actors with digital security practitioners, technologists, policymakers, and business leaders.

The expected outcomes of this project include: (1) increased capacity of HRDs, WHRDs, and at-risk actors to mitigate and prevent digital security attacks; (2) increased support and international pressure on behalf of HRDs, WHRDs, and at-risk actors for their digital rights, safety, and security; and (3) increased multi-stakeholder engagement on pressing issues affecting the safety and security of HRDs, WHRDs, and at-risk actors.

Results achieved as of January 2024 include: (1) trained and supported 1,796 human rights defenders via Access Now's Digital Security Helpline; (2) supported Access Now’s Advocacy team to monitor, report, and respond to emerging and ongoing crises events worldwide. This includes Libya, Sudan, Armenia, Ethiopia, Ukraine, and Iran, informing stakeholders and pressuring authorities, for instance, to end internet shutdowns and communications blackouts; and (3) supported Access Now to convened 8,337 participants (including 5,466 online) from 174 countries to the 2023 RightsCon conference in Costa Rica.