At Access we are excited to announce that Andrew McLaughlin, Vice-President of Tumblr (and former Deputy CTO for the White House), has joined the Access team as Chairman of the Board of Directors. Andrew will be succeeding Eli Pariser as chair. We are also thrilled that Katherine Maher will be joining us as an Access Fellow focusing on post-revolution and transition digital environments.
We’re launching an end of year fundraiser today to keep Access actively (and successfully
) protecting the internet in 2012 - please
make your donationhere!
In the Hague this month, an important meeting took place which announced a coalition of 14 countries in support of freedom of speech online. Here is my speech at the event (which focuses on the role of the corporate sector) and a copy of the government resolution which establishes the coalition of states. You may also be interested in Hilary Clinton’s speech where she talks at some length about the Silicon Valley Standard and our conference.
In India - there appears to have a been a back-down from Communications Minister Sibal who had asked that social media companies, like Facebook and Twitter, pre-screen content. Our Op-ed in the Times Of India explains why this is the ultimate act of censorship. Consider signing Access’s live campaign here.
In Egypt, Alaa is still behind bars. Watch this video of Alaa in a police van who asks to see his wife Manal. She climbs us, shouts “I love you” in a harrowing moment – again reflective of the criminalization of freedom of speech. Egypt’s battle for justice continues as the world yesterday viewed the image that encapsulates the horror of Egypt’s crackdown.
In Italy, after more than 10,000 of us demanded that four western tech companies end their involvement in building a new surveillance system in Syria, the main player Area announced it would drop out and halt the construction of this deadly project. We continue to work with others including the EFF and Privacy International on finding longer term legislative solutions to the the export and servicing of surveillance technologies.
In Rio, save the May 22 and 23 2012, for RightsCon Rio, the next step after the Silicon Valley Human Rights Conference. In partnership with Fundação Getúlio Vargas’ Center for Technology & Society, the conference will examine and explore how the ICT industry can better plan for and manage the human rights implications of their technologies.
In Vienna this month, the Council of Europe met to discuss its000000; font-family: Arial;"> new four-year Council of Europe strategy to advance the protection and respect for human rights, rule of law and democracy on the Internet. Access was there to help shape the strategy and reflect on priorities for the coming years. You can read the draft strategy here.
In the USA SOPA – what looked like a kick down the road into 2012, seems now more like the House Judiciary Committee will actually consider the Bill this coming Wednesday, despite increasing and louder opposition.
Finally, each week Access will release a great new weekly newsletter at intersection of human rights and new tech – the Access Express – put your name here and we will send it to you. And if you are in the mood for a good book this holiday, can I recommend Carne Ross’s book the Leaderless Revolution which you can buy here:
Thanks to all your support in 2011. Looking forward to 2012!
Brett for the Access Team
PS Please join our fundraiser today! Help Access keep the internet open by making a donation here! Continue reading →
