{"id":22113,"date":"2026-07-17T10:55:59","date_gmt":"2026-07-17T10:55:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hrnww.com\/?p=22113"},"modified":"2026-07-17T10:55:59","modified_gmt":"2026-07-17T10:55:59","slug":"access-now-intensifies-global-digital-rights-advocacy-following-rightscon-2026-cancellation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hrnww.com\/?p=22113","title":{"rendered":"Access Now Intensifies Global Digital Rights Advocacy Following RightsCon 2026 Cancellation"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\" data-start=\"183\" data-end=\"817\"><strong data-start=\"183\" data-end=\"218\">New York, United States (HRNW):<\/strong> Access Now has intensified its international advocacy for digital rights, internet freedom, and the protection of civic space following the cancellation of <strong data-start=\"375\" data-end=\"393\">RightsCon 2026<\/strong>, one of the world&#8217;s largest global forums dedicated to human rights in the digital age. The organization has reaffirmed that, despite the cancellation of the annual summit, its work to protect digital freedoms, strengthen cybersecurity for civil society, and promote responsible technology governance will continue through regional engagement, policy advocacy, and global partnerships.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"819\" data-end=\"1459\">RightsCon has long served as a platform bringing together governments, technology companies, academics, journalists, human rights defenders, civil society organizations, and international institutions to discuss emerging issues including artificial intelligence, online privacy, cybersecurity, digital inclusion, internet governance, and freedom of expression. Following the cancellation of the 2026 conference, Access Now announced that it would continue supporting stakeholders through alternative forums, research initiatives, and collaborative advocacy aimed at protecting digital rights worldwide.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1461\" data-end=\"1932\">Access Now emphasized that digital technologies increasingly shape democratic participation, education, economic development, humanitarian action, and access to information. The organization warned that growing concerns over internet shutdowns, online surveillance, censorship, and misuse of emerging technologies require stronger international cooperation to ensure that technological innovation remains consistent with internationally recognized human rights standards.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1934\" data-end=\"2431\">One of the organization&#8217;s flagship initiatives, the <strong data-start=\"1986\" data-end=\"2015\">Digital Security Helpline<\/strong>, continues providing rapid assistance to journalists, independent media organizations, human rights defenders, election observers, humanitarian workers, and civil society organizations facing cyber threats and digital attacks. The multilingual service offers emergency technical support, cybersecurity guidance, incident response, and digital risk assessments to organizations operating in challenging environments.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2433\" data-end=\"2852\">Access Now has also expanded research on artificial intelligence governance, platform accountability, online privacy, and cross-border data protection. Through policy recommendations and engagement with governments, technology companies, and international organizations, the NGO advocates for transparent regulation that balances innovation with safeguards for privacy, freedom of expression, and access to information.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2854\" data-end=\"3238\">In recent months, the organization has encouraged policymakers to strengthen protections against unlawful digital surveillance while promoting responsible development and deployment of artificial intelligence technologies. Access Now argues that digital rights should remain central to discussions concerning technological progress, democratic governance, and sustainable development.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3240\" data-end=\"3662\">Founded in 2009, Access Now has become one of the world&#8217;s leading organizations dedicated to defending and extending the digital rights of individuals and communities globally. Operating through regional teams and international partnerships, the organization conducts policy research, legal advocacy, digital security assistance, and public awareness campaigns aimed at promoting a free, open, and secure internet for all.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3664\" data-end=\"4131\">Digital rights experts note that as artificial intelligence, digital platforms, and online services continue transforming societies, safeguarding privacy, cybersecurity, and freedom of expression has become increasingly important. Organizations such as Access Now continue playing a significant role in ensuring that technological advancement is accompanied by effective human rights protections and inclusive digital governance.<\/p>\n<h3 data-section-id=\"v7rry8\" data-start=\"4133\" data-end=\"4155\"><span role=\"text\"><strong data-start=\"4137\" data-end=\"4155\">Support Appeal<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"4157\" data-end=\"4600\"><strong data-start=\"4157\" data-end=\"4600\">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 highlighting the work of NGOs and civil society organizations protecting fundamental freedoms across the world.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4602\" data-end=\"4655\"><strong data-start=\"4602\" data-end=\"4619\">Support HRNW:<\/strong> <a class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hrnww.com\/?page_id=1083\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"4620\" data-end=\"4655\">https:\/\/www.hrnww.com\/?page_id=1083<\/a><\/p>\n<h3 data-section-id=\"jn3j7p\" data-start=\"4657\" data-end=\"4675\"><span role=\"text\"><strong data-start=\"4661\" data-end=\"4675\">Disclaimer<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"4677\" data-end=\"5244\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"><em data-start=\"4677\" data-end=\"5244\" 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 up-to-date information regarding programmes, advocacy initiatives, and digital rights activities.<\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n<p id=\"pvc_stats_22113\" class=\"pvc_stats total_only  \" data-element-id=\"22113\" 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 international advocacy for digital rights, internet freedom, and the protection of civic space following the cancellation of RightsCon 2026, one of the world&#8217;s largest global forums dedicated to human rights in the digital age. The organization has reaffirmed that, despite the cancellation of the annual&#8230;<\/p>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n<p id=\"pvc_stats_22113\" class=\"pvc_stats total_only  \" data-element-id=\"22113\" 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 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