✨🌈 Home of Digital Rights Defenders

2026 Global Gathering 2026 themes announced: Surveillance & Censorship Alternative Infrastructure & Digital Sovereignty Emerging & Urgent Tech Challenges: Disinfo, AI, Platform Accountability, Internet Shutdowns Civil Society Reflections on Tech Reg Ecosystem Security, Sustainability, & Health

📣 Applications Are Now Open for the 2026 Global Gathering! ✨ 📍 When: September 4–6, 2026 📍 Where: Portugal 🇵🇹 👉 Apply: gathering.digitalrights.community ❤️ Gathering defenders at the intersection of rights and technology ❤️ beneath a canopy of trees. #GlobalGathering2026 #DigitalRights #TechJustice

The Digital Rights Weekly Newsletter brings together community and global news in digital rights, surveillance, censorship; funding opportunities and jobs, and practical resources. You can share your news or subscribe: buff.ly/yRfQ5bW #InternetFreedom #HumanRights

Amazon’s surveillance camera maker Ring announced a partnership on with Flock, a maker of AI-powered surveillance cameras that share footage with law enforcement.

Civil groups ask EU to investigate Ireland's privacy regulator following the appointment of former Meta lobbyist Niamh Sweeney.

US court bars Israeli spyware firm from targeting WhatsApp users, saying the firm’s software causes “direct harm.”

New report explores neurotechnology and human rights, specifically how it can impact rights such as freedom of expression, the right to privacy and freedom of thought.

Professor Catherine Sandoval’s research reveals how broadband providers are charging low-income LA neighborhoods significantly more for Internet - at the tune of $240 more per year.

The Netherlands has curtailed intelligence co-operation with the US over fears it could be used to violate human rights or assist Russia.

EU has launched its new LGBTIQ+ equality strategy aimed at strengthening the EU’s legal and policy framework against discrimination, calling for and stronger safeguards against hate speech, hate crimes, and “conversion practices.”

A major Lighthouse Reports investigation exposes a powerful surveillance tech used to spy on thousands worldwide, offering one of the most detailed looks at the modern spying industry.

Check out job ops from this week's Digital Rights Job Board! Account Executive, Pivot; Program Coordinator Levante, CPJ; Communications and Program Director, Chosen Family Law Center; Creative Lead United Food and Commercial Workers buff.ly/bg6YjQA

The Digital Rights Weekly Newsletter brings together community and global news in digital rights, surveillance, censorship; funding opportunities and jobs, and practical resources. You can share your news or subscribe: www.digitalrights.community/weekly-newsl... #InternetFreedom #HumanRights

BIRN Invites EU Journalists to apply for grants for investigative stories. Make sure to apply before October 31

Things are rough out there for a lot of folks, and it seems a good time to repost this. medium.com/a-side-of-my... The broken people, the weirdos, the sads, the uncomfortably pointing things out, the sometimes can't get out of bed, you're going to need us when all this bullshit falls apart.

Are you looking for job candidates that have an understanding of system thinking and work at the intersection of technology, human rights and social justice from 144+ countries? Post your opportunity on the Digital Rights Board - Its free! www.digitalrights.community/job-board-form #recruiters

US court bars Israeli spyware firm from targeting whatsApp users. Evidence at trial showed that NSO reverse-engineered WhatsApp code to stealthily install its spyware Pegasus on users’ phones, and repeatedly redesigned it to escape detection & bypass security fixes www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/10...

Don't let activism blink out of sight! Ofcom wants all social posts to be scanned for 'illegal' content before they appear in our feeds. And the AI doing it will go OTT. Posts about protest could get removed or suppressed. Say no to more censorship ⬇️ action.openrightsgroup.org/online-safet...

Dark comedy: Weber State University censored its own conference about censorship. The irony was not lost on faculty buff.ly/d6WrMdR #censorship

NEW additions today to the Digital Rights Job Board. - @apc.org Technical System Administrator; - @frontlinedefenders.bsky.social Digital Protection Coordinator MENA; - Chayn Open Source Community Manager. Check out these and other roles at www.digitalrights.community/job-board

Scientist Suresh Venkatasubramanian @geomblog.bsky.social explains why once you start collecting data, “you’re almost never going to stop,” and how that impulse can be used to control citizens and undermine democracy. buff.ly/6qOIidQ

Scientists accidentally Cceate a tiny “Rainbow Chip” that could supercharge the Internet buff.ly/fhyz9ZM #Internet

Dash Chat is a secure messenger that runs on regular internet, internet shutdowns, and bridges between them. Join them on October 29 to see an app demo, ask questions about how it works, and how to get involved. Note, the app is in pre-alpha. Register:

We have added a new section for emergency grants and relocation/resettlement support for defenders to our fundraising opportunities page on the TCU wiki. Have an opportunity you want to list, send it our way! buff.ly/C8ED3mj

According to PC Magazine, these are the top 10 invasive apps that are harvesting your location, contacts, and photos. See the full list here: www.pcmag.com/explainers/t...

NSO to be acquired by U.S. investors, ending Israeli control of Pegasus maker | Ctech https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/s1jgvmitgx

BREAKING: A catastrophic breach has impacted Discord user data including selfies and identity documents uploaded as part of the app’s verification process, email addresses, phone numbers, approximately where the user lives, and much more. 🔗 www.404media.co/the-discord-...

A major vote is planned for 13 or 14 October in the EU. Governments will decide whether to endorse or reject a mass surveillance, encryption-breaking and anonymity-ending law: the EU CSA Regulation.

Vodafone said it had made the world's first video call via satellite using a standard smartphone from a remote location, and it plans to roll out the technology for its users across Europe later this year and in 2026. buff.ly/r9fKrFo

Leaders across the political spectrum are calling on American tech firms to stop selling surveillance equipment to Chinese police and for Congress to examine the issue after the AP reported that U.S. tech had played a far greater role than known in enabling human rights abuses.

By 2029, all UK workers will need digital identity cards, which will live on their mobile phones and become a mandatory check for employers hiring staff. These ID cards will also be necessary to access services such as tax records, childcare, and welfare.

Microsoft has ended the use of some of its Azure Cloud storage tech by the Israeli military Unit 8200 in mass surveillance of Palestinians following a joint investigation by the Guardian, Israeli-Palestinian publication +972 Magazine and the Hebrew-language media outlet Local Call. buff.ly/qtNrTFp

Grant deadlines fast approaching: Civic Innovation Fund – Oct 20; WSA Young Innovators Award – Oct 31; ACLS Digital Justice Grants – Nov 20; AI Reporting Grant – Dec 31 👉 More opportunities: buff.ly/eePuaP4

⚠️ Internet Shutdowns in Africa have doubled in less than a decade, plunging millions into digital darkness. Ethiopia, Sudan, and Algeria top the list, with over 193 shutdowns in 8 years.

🎪 Mark your calendars for upcoming digital rights events! Oct 14 | EFF: How Surveillance Targets Women & Gender-Queer People (Washington State) buff.ly/3uxAQ47 Oct 29–31 | Bread&Net (Beirut) buff.ly/gOKwVmU