Access Express | 05/03/13
Network interference around political content in Malaysia
In the runup to this Sunday's historic elections, the internet has become a target in Malaysia. Opposition websites and independent media have suffered significant network interference. With the election days away, pressure is intensifying.
via accessnow 
Staff Picks
Mozilla to sue spyware Gamma Group over trademark theft
Mozilla is preparing to sue surveillance company Gamma Group, whose products are linked to attacks on activists, journalists, and political dissidents, for allegedly disguising their surveillance software as the company's popular web browser, Firefox.
via slate
U.S. cybersecurity bill CISPA is dead (for now)
The U.S. Senate will not vote on CISPA, the cybersecurity bill that passed the House of Representatives earlier this month, dealing a blow to a measure that sparked opposition from privacy advocates and the White House.
via usnews
From the Access Community
Telco licensing bid in Myanmar puts human rights in the spotlight
Vodafone and China Mobile have put forward a proposal for an operating license in Myanmar, offering a chance for Vodafone to test and improve its new human rights policies and train its partner in best practices.
via accessnow
How internet and mobile help journalists in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Better and wider access to internet and mobile is changing how journalists work in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), bringing more access but also sometimes greater risk.
via opensocietyfoundations
Internet blackouts: a reliable activist strategy?
The failure of the #CISPAblackout campaign to gain traction raises the question of whether internet blackouts a reliable strategy for online activists, or if the success story of Stop SOPA and PIPA was a one-off.
via viralpoliticsblog
Pakistan: sorry mobile users, no service!
Pakistan-based internet advocacy group Bolo Bhi released a timeline detailing instances when mobile network services have been suspended across the country since April 2012.
via globalvoicesonline
Right to Share: principles on free expression and copyright in the digital age
Article 19 has released Right to Share, a report on the balance between freedom of expression and copyright in the digital age, including the introduction of the Right to Share Principles.
via ifex
Iceland court orders Visa subcontractor to lift block on payments to WikiLeaks
Iceland's supreme court has ruled Valitor, Icelandic local partner for global credit card giant Visa, must resume processing online donations to WikiLeaks within two weeks or pay a daily fine of US$6,830 until it complies.
via ifex
EFF launches 2013 "Who's Got Your Back" report
EFF's annual report on government data requests and company privacy policies is out. "Who's Got Your Back" assesses which companies have the best privacy-respecting policies, which help users make informed decisions, and which need to "step it up."
via eff
Nigeria awards $40 million contract for internet surveillance
A Nigerian paper is reporting that the government has awarded a U.S. $40m contract for "Intelligence Analysis and Cyber Defense" that will enable network analysis on the activities of Nigeria's 47 million internet users.
via premiumtimesng
How social media is really used in the Middle East
Since 2011, the use of Twitter and Facebook in the Middle East has been subject to a great deal of speculation. Now, Northwestern University in Qatar has released a survey on how these tools are actually used in eight Arab countries.
via theatlantic
Israel airport guards can ask 'suspicious' tourists to open their email
Foreign citizens visiting Israel may be asked to open their email accounts for airport security when they land at Ben-Gurion International Airport, the Attorney-General's Office stated on Wednesday.
via israelhayom
California may join E.U. in internet privacy push
Companies such as Google and Facebook have been fighting proposed European Union privacy laws they say would slow innovation. Now, they are fighting in their backyard against California privacy bills that are almost identical.
via bloomberg
Access defends and extends the digital rights of users at risk around the world. By combining tech-driven policy, user engagement, and direct technical support, we fight for open and secure communications for all. To reply, please email info@accessnow.org.