Human rights stories

3DiVi urges cities to phase in facial recognition for CCTV after most operators report surprise spikes in false matches once systems go live.

New Zealand urged to enact AI safety laws as deepfake sexual images surge, amid warnings it can no longer rely on tech firms’ goodwill.

Liz Kendall presses X to stop AI tool Grok being used for sexual deepfakes, warning it may be breaching the UK’s Online Safety Act rules.

Facewatch says UK retailers’ facial recognition alerts more than doubled to over 500,000 in 2025 amid rising theft and abuse in stores.

Over half of UK adults want under-16s barred from social media, as new polling exposes deep divides over children’s online access and safety.

Cloudflare says it now blocks nearly 10 billion cyber attacks a month on elections, media and NGOs, amid rising AI and security threats.

3DiVi’s 2026 report charts facial recognition’s shift into core digital identity, mapping tech, regional maturity and policy risks worldwide.

India scraps mandatory Sanchar Saathi app on new phones, easing privacy fears over deep-access government software on Apple and Samsung devices.

Swiss start-up Soverli raises USD $2.6m to build a sovereign smartphone layer that runs alongside Android and iOS for mission-critical use.

Electronic Frontiers Australia criticises the National AI Plan for favouring business interests over public safety, digital rights and calls for stronger EU-style law.

OSINT enables supply chain leaders to uncover hidden risks like forced labour and sanctions, ensuring ethical practices and regulatory compliance globally.

Canada's federal budget aims to boost digital growth with AI investment, support for small businesses, and initiatives empowering women in the tech workforce.

LunaNet AI has joined the UN Global Compact, pledging to align its AI technology with ethical principles promoting human rights, transparency, and well-being.

Nyiyaparli Widi, a smartphone game preserving a critically endangered Aboriginal language, has been shortlisted at the 2025 Anthem Awards alongside global giants.

Cloudflare expands Project Galileo, giving independent media and nonprofits free control over AI access to protect content and sustain journalism.

Wikimedia Deutschland’s project supports software development to preserve endangered languages across Indonesia, Africa, and Brazil, boosting access to knowledge.

New Relic unveiled its FY25 Impact Report, detailing gains in climate targets, ethical AI compliance, and expanded tech education across Latin America.

Canadian NCP urges Genetec to publish a clear human rights policy after two NGos raised concerns over alleged use of its products in Iran.

New Zealand unveils its first national AI strategy to boost business innovation and GDP by NZD $76 billion by 2038, focusing on responsible adoption and skills.

Cloudflare blocked 108.9 billion cyberattacks in a year, a 241% rise, targeting journalists and human rights groups via Project Galileo’s global defence initiative.