{"id":21981,"date":"2026-07-16T12:33:30","date_gmt":"2026-07-16T12:33:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hrnww.com\/?p=21981"},"modified":"2026-07-16T12:33:30","modified_gmt":"2026-07-16T12:33:30","slug":"access-now-calls-for-stronger-protection-of-digital-rights-following-rightscon-2026-cancellation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hrnww.com\/?p=21981","title":{"rendered":"Access Now Calls for Stronger Protection of Digital Rights Following RightsCon 2026 Cancellation"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\" data-start=\"188\" data-end=\"664\"><strong data-start=\"188\" data-end=\"223\">New York, United States (HRNW):<\/strong> Access Now has intensified its global advocacy for digital rights and internet freedom following the cancellation of <strong data-start=\"341\" data-end=\"359\">RightsCon 2026<\/strong>, one of the world&#8217;s largest international gatherings dedicated to human rights in the digital age. The organization reaffirmed its commitment to protecting online freedoms, supporting civil society, and promoting secure, inclusive digital spaces despite the setback.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"666\" data-end=\"1282\">According to Access Now, RightsCon has become a leading international platform where governments, technology companies, academics, journalists, human rights defenders, and civil society organizations collaborate on emerging issues related to artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, internet governance, digital privacy, freedom of expression, and online safety. The organization stated that despite the cancellation of the 2026 summit, its global advocacy programmes and partnerships will continue through regional engagement, digital initiatives, and international cooperation.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1284\" data-end=\"1827\">Access Now emphasized that protecting digital rights has become increasingly important as governments, businesses, and communities rely more heavily on digital technologies. The organization continues to advocate for secure internet access, protection of personal data, responsible use of artificial intelligence, and safeguards against unlawful surveillance, censorship, and internet shutdowns. Through research, policy engagement, and legal advocacy, Access Now works with stakeholders worldwide to promote a free, open, and secure internet.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1829\" data-end=\"2269\">The organization also continues expanding its <strong data-start=\"1875\" data-end=\"1904\">Digital Security Helpline<\/strong>, which provides rapid assistance to journalists, human rights defenders, civil society organizations, and independent media facing digital security threats. The multilingual support service offers technical guidance, incident response, and cybersecurity expertise to help organizations strengthen resilience against cyber threats and protect sensitive information.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2271\" data-end=\"2861\">In addition to emergency assistance, Access Now regularly publishes research on internet shutdowns, digital surveillance, platform accountability, and technology governance. These publications support policymakers, international organizations, and civil society by providing evidence-based recommendations that encourage greater respect for human rights in the digital environment. The organization maintains that technological innovation should always be accompanied by strong protections for privacy, freedom of expression, and access to information.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2863\" data-end=\"3286\">Access Now has also continued engaging with governments, international organizations, technology companies, and academic institutions to promote responsible digital governance. The organization encourages transparent policymaking and multi-stakeholder cooperation to address evolving challenges associated with artificial intelligence, online misinformation, cross-border data governance, and emerging digital technologies.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3288\" data-end=\"3783\">Founded in 2009, Access Now operates globally with teams based across multiple regions, advocating for the protection of digital civil rights through policy research, strategic litigation support, emergency digital security assistance, public education, and international advocacy. Its programmes continue supporting journalists, activists, marginalized communities, and civil society organizations seeking to exercise their rights safely in digital spaces.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3785\" data-end=\"4243\">Digital rights experts note that maintaining open, secure, and accessible internet services has become increasingly important for democratic participation, education, humanitarian action, and economic development. Continued collaboration between governments, technology companies, civil society organizations, and international institutions remains essential to ensuring that technological progress advances human rights while protecting individual freedoms.<\/p>\n<h3 data-section-id=\"v7rry8\" data-start=\"4245\" data-end=\"4267\"><span role=\"text\"><strong data-start=\"4249\" data-end=\"4267\">Support Appeal<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"4269\" data-end=\"4730\"><strong data-start=\"4269\" data-end=\"4730\">Support the World&#8217;s No.1 dedicated Human Rights News Agency to enhance its mission of promoting justice, equality, peace, democracy, digital freedom, and human dignity worldwide. Your generous contribution enables HRNW to continue delivering independent, credible, and timely reporting on global human rights developments while amplifying the voices of civil society organizations working to protect fundamental freedoms in both physical and digital spaces.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4732\" data-end=\"4785\"><strong data-start=\"4732\" data-end=\"4749\">Support HRNW:<\/strong> <a class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hrnww.com\/?page_id=1083\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"4750\" data-end=\"4785\">https:\/\/www.hrnww.com\/?page_id=1083<\/a><\/p>\n<h3 data-section-id=\"jn3j7p\" data-start=\"4787\" data-end=\"4805\"><span role=\"text\"><strong data-start=\"4791\" data-end=\"4805\">Disclaimer<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"4807\" data-end=\"5371\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"><em data-start=\"4807\" data-end=\"5371\" data-is-last-node=\"\">This HRNW news report has been prepared using publicly available information released by Access Now and other reliable public sources. It is published solely for journalistic and informational purposes. HRNW maintains complete editorial independence, and publication of this report does not necessarily imply endorsement of the views, policies, or positions of the organizations mentioned. Readers are encouraged to consult official publications for comprehensive and updated information regarding programmes, advocacy initiatives, and digital rights activities.<\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n<p id=\"pvc_stats_21981\" class=\"pvc_stats total_only  \" data-element-id=\"21981\" style=\"\"><i class=\"pvc-stats-icon medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" version=\"1.0\" viewBox=\"0 0 502 315\" preserveAspectRatio=\"xMidYMid meet\"><g transform=\"translate(0,332) scale(0.1,-0.1)\" fill=\"\" stroke=\"none\"><path d=\"M2394 3279 l-29 -30 -3 -207 c-2 -182 0 -211 15 -242 39 -76 157 -76 196 0 15 31 17 60 15 243 l-3 209 -33 29 c-26 23 -41 29 -80 29 -41 0 -53 -5 -78 -31z\"\/><path d=\"M3085 3251 c-45 -19 -58 -50 -96 -229 -47 -217 -49 -260 -13 -295 52 -53 146 -42 177 20 16 31 87 366 87 410 0 70 -86 122 -155 94z\"\/><path d=\"M1751 3234 c-13 -9 -29 -31 -37 -50 -12 -29 -10 -49 21 -204 19 -94 39 -189 45 -210 14 -50 54 -80 110 -80 34 0 48 6 76 34 21 21 34 44 34 59 0 14 -18 113 -40 219 -37 178 -43 195 -70 221 -36 32 -101 37 -139 11z\"\/><path d=\"M1163 3073 c-36 -7 -73 -59 -73 -102 0 -56 133 -378 171 -413 34 -32 83 -37 129 -13 70 36 67 87 -16 290 -86 209 -89 214 -129 231 -35 14 -42 15 -82 7z\"\/><path d=\"M3689 3066 c-15 -9 -33 -30 -42 -48 -48 -103 -147 -355 -147 -375 0 -98 131 -148 192 -74 13 15 57 108 97 206 80 196 84 226 37 273 -30 30 -99 39 -137 18z\"\/><path d=\"M583 2784 c-38 -19 -67 -74 -58 -113 9 -42 211 -354 242 -373 16 -10 45 -18 66 -18 51 0 107 52 107 100 0 39 -1 41 -124 234 -80 126 -108 162 -133 173 -41 17 -61 16 -100 -3z\"\/><path d=\"M4250 2784 c-14 -9 -74 -91 -133 -183 -95 -150 -107 -173 -107 -213 0 -55 33 -94 87 -104 67 -13 90 8 211 198 130 202 137 225 78 284 -27 27 -42 34 -72 34 -22 0 -50 -8 -64 -16z\"\/><path d=\"M2275 2693 c-553 -48 -1095 -270 -1585 -649 -135 -104 -459 -423 -483 -476 -23 -49 -22 -139 2 -186 73 -142 361 -457 571 -626 285 -228 642 -407 990 -497 242 -63 336 -73 660 -74 310 0 370 5 595 52 535 111 1045 392 1455 803 122 121 250 273 275 326 19 41 19 137 0 174 -41 79 -309 363 -465 492 -447 370 -946 591 -1479 653 -113 14 -422 18 -536 8z m395 -428 c171 -34 330 -124 456 -258 112 -119 167 -219 211 -378 27 -96 24 -300 -5 -401 -72 -255 -236 -447 -474 -557 -132 -62 -201 -76 -368 -76 -167 0 -236 14 -368 76 -213 98 -373 271 -451 485 -162 444 86 934 547 1084 153 49 292 57 452 25z m909 -232 c222 -123 408 -262 593 -441 76 -74 138 -139 138 -144 0 -16 -233 -242 -330 -319 -155 -123 -309 -223 -461 -299 l-81 -41 32 46 c18 26 49 83 70 128 143 306 141 649 -6 957 -25 52 -61 116 -79 142 l-34 47 45 -20 c26 -10 76 -36 113 -56z m-2057 25 c-40 -58 -105 -190 -130 -263 -110 -324 -59 -707 132 -981 25 -35 42 -64 37 -64 -19 0 -241 119 -326 174 -188 122 -406 314 -532 468 l-58 71 108 103 c185 178 428 349 672 473 66 33 121 60 123 61 2 0 -10 -19 -26 -42z\"\/><path d=\"M2375 1950 c-198 -44 -350 -190 -395 -379 -18 -76 -8 -221 19 -290 114 -284 457 -406 731 -260 98 52 188 154 231 260 27 69 37 214 19 290 -38 163 -166 304 -326 360 -67 23 -215 33 -279 19z\"\/><\/g><\/svg><\/i> <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"Loading\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hrnww.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/page-views-count\/ajax-loader-2x.gif\" border=0 \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>New York, United States (HRNW): Access Now has intensified its global advocacy for digital rights and internet freedom following the cancellation of RightsCon 2026, one of the world&#8217;s largest international gatherings dedicated to human rights in the digital age. The organization reaffirmed its commitment to protecting online freedoms, supporting civil society, and promoting secure, inclusive&#8230;<\/p>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n<p id=\"pvc_stats_21981\" class=\"pvc_stats total_only  \" data-element-id=\"21981\" style=\"\"><i class=\"pvc-stats-icon medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" version=\"1.0\" viewBox=\"0 0 502 315\" preserveAspectRatio=\"xMidYMid meet\"><g transform=\"translate(0,332) scale(0.1,-0.1)\" fill=\"\" stroke=\"none\"><path d=\"M2394 3279 l-29 -30 -3 -207 c-2 -182 0 -211 15 -242 39 -76 157 -76 196 0 15 31 17 60 15 243 l-3 209 -33 29 c-26 23 -41 29 -80 29 -41 0 -53 -5 -78 -31z\"\/><path d=\"M3085 3251 c-45 -19 -58 -50 -96 -229 -47 -217 -49 -260 -13 -295 52 -53 146 -42 177 20 16 31 87 366 87 410 0 70 -86 122 -155 94z\"\/><path d=\"M1751 3234 c-13 -9 -29 -31 -37 -50 -12 -29 -10 -49 21 -204 19 -94 39 -189 45 -210 14 -50 54 -80 110 -80 34 0 48 6 76 34 21 21 34 44 34 59 0 14 -18 113 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