Access Now's digital security helpline

Providing digital security advice and support to at-risk users has been a core pillar of Access Now since the early days of the organization over 10 years ago. The organization invested in creating the Digital Security Helpline (DSH), which documented its first case regarding distributed ticketing systems on Aug. 23, 2013. I wish I knew of their helpline in 2014 when our news website was blocked on Facebook for over a year. Writing letters to Facebook's headquarters proved futile until a friend abroad assisted us to be unblocked. When Access Now heard of our dilemma, it introduced us to its services, which offer real-time, direct technical assistance and advice to civil society groups and activists, media organizations, journalists and bloggers, and human rights defenders. Its 24/7 services are translated in nine languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Russian, Tagalog, Arabic and Italian. Response to all requests is within two hours.

Seven years later, the team released a report titled "What Access Now's Digital Security Helpline" has learned from its first 10,000 cases. Each case represents an individual story, often involving someone risking safety to defend their rights and those of others. "From online harassment to sophisticated malware, civil society continues to be targeted by the very entities who are obliged to protect it," said Michael Carbone, DSH deputy director at Access Now. "We are only as safe as the most vulnerable online - and offline. Civil society must work in solidarity to protect ourselves and our communities and ultimately ensure our human rights." DSH beneficiaries cover NGOs/non-profit/collective human rights activists.