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

Britain distances itself from Australia’s social media ban for kids www.politico.eu/article/brit...

Britain distances itself from Australia’s social media ban for kids

A No. 10 spokesperson said there’s “no current plans to implement a smartphone or social media ban for children.”

politico.eu

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

Weekly Newsletter | Digital Rights

“OMG. This newsletter has so much juice! It has a lot of the news and stuff I don’t usually find, even from my obsessive searching and twitter searches. Thanks for this great resource!” - Alex P.

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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.

Amazon's Ring to partner with Flock, a network of AI cameras used by ICE, feds, and police | TechCrunch

Agencies that use Flock can request that Ring doorbell users share footage to help with "evidence collection and investigative work."

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

Civil groups question independence of Irish privacy watchdog | Digital Watch Observatory

Campaigners call for stronger oversight of the body enforcing the EU’s GDPR.

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

US court bars Israeli spyware firm from targeting WhatsApp users

Judge rules Israeli firm NSO caused 'irreparable harm', but said an earlier award of $168m in damages was 'excessive'.

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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.

Peace of mind: New report explores neurotechnology and human rights

The Australian Human Rights Commission has released a groundbreaking report that explores how we can embrace the benefits of neurotechnology while making sure human dignity stays front and centre.…

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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.

A law professor uncovers internet pricing discrimination

Professor Catherine Sandoval’s research reveals how broadband providers are disproportionately charging low-income neighborhoods in Los Angeles in a form of digital redlining.

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

Netherlands curtails intelligence-sharing with US over ‘human rights’

Dutch spy chiefs cite concerns about Trump administration’s ‘politicisation’ of services

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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.”

EU Launches New LGBTIQ+ Strategy

This month, the European Commission released its LGBTIQ+ Equality Strategy 2026–2030, a renewed and ambitious step in the European Union’s commitment to equality, inclusion, and human rights.

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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.

Surveillance Secrets

Trove of surveillance data challenges what we thought we knew about location tracking tools, who they target and how far they have spread

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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

Find a Job | Digital Rights Job Board

The Digital Rights Job Board has opportunities in over 144+ countries at the intersection of human rights, technology and social justice. Kickstart your tech and human rights career, find a social…

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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

Weekly Newsletter | Digital Rights

digitalrights.community

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

BIRN Invites Journalists: Apply for Grants for Investigative Stories - BIRN

Journalists covering EU member countries and EU aspiring countries are invited to apply for grants to produce investigations shedding light on critical social, political and economic issues.

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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.

What Are Broken People Worth?

Falling Apart on a Burning Planet

medium.com

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

Post a Job

digitalrights.community

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...

US court bars Israeli spyware firm from targeting WhatsApp users

Judge rules Israeli firm NSO caused 'irreparable harm', but said an earlier award of $168m in damages was 'excessive'.

aljazeera.com

1/2 Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by the tragic situation that unfolded in New York this weekend during a Wikimedia conference, and are incredibly relieved that no one was hurt. Immense energy of love to the Wiki community If we can support in anyway, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

1/3 This week's Digital Rights Job Board roundup! To see this and other jobs at the intersection of tech, human rights and social justice, visit: www.digitalrights.community/job-board - Technical System Admi, @apc.org - Associate for Resilient Tech, @theengineroom.bsky.social #Jobs

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...

Online Safety Act consultation : Threat to protest and political content

The Online Safety Act The Online Safety Act (OSA) has given Ofcom powers over what we say, see and do online. Services have to comply with a large set of complicated rules and regulations. They risk…

action.openrightsgroup.org

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

Weber State Censors, Then Cancels, Censorship Conference

University officials said that several planned presentations violated a Utah state law banning diversity, equity and inclusion at public universities.

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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

Find a Job | Digital Rights Job Board

The Digital Rights Job Board has opportunities in over 144+ countries at the intersection of human rights, technology and social justice. Kickstart your tech and human rights career, find a social jus...

digitalrights.community

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

Scientists accidentally create a tiny “rainbow chip” that could supercharge the internet

Researchers at Columbia have created a chip that turns a single laser into a “frequency comb,” producing dozens of powerful light channels at once. Using a special locking mechanism to clean messy…

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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:

ICD Session RSVP - Dash Chat (Oct 29, 2025)

Join us on Wednesday, October 29 at 11am ET / 4pm CET (or check your time zone here) for an online session to learn about Dash Chat, a new shutdown-resilient secure messaging tool! Dash Chat is a…

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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

NEW: Pegasus spyware coming to America? An ex-Adam Sandler producer with ties to China is trying to acquire NSO Group. Again. Simonds fronted this before in 2023 & failed. But the backers haven't given up. Why? Where is the money coming from? 1/ www.globes.co.il/news/article...

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

NSO to be acquired by U.S. investors, ending Israeli control of Pegasus maker | CTech

Hollywood producer Robert Simonds leads the deal, subject to Israeli and U.S. regulatory review.

calcalistech.com