Digital RightsPrivacy Tracker: Contact Tracing & Digital Health Certificate Apps
This live tracker documents new initiatives introduced in response to the pandemic that pose a risk to digital rights around the world.
VPN, Internet Rights & Security Research
Surveillance
Governments and institutions are adopting increasingly pervasive and sophisticated digital surveillance technologies to monitor the general populace. Many of these technologies are used without oversight, and pose a serious threat to citizens’ rights to privacy.
In these investigations, we aim to draw attention to the disproportionate use of surveillance technologies worldwide, and the companies behind them.
In these investigations, we aim to draw attention to the disproportionate use of surveillance technologies worldwide, and the companies behind them.
Digital RightsEmployee Monitoring Software Demand up 60% since 2019As millions of people shifted to home working, employers around the world have turned to employee surveillance software to track their employees' productivity.
Digital RightsHikvision and Dahua Surveillance Cameras: Global Locations ReportWe identified and mapped 6.3 million surveillance camera networks globally that use hardware from controversial Chinese firms Hikvision and Dahua.
Digital RightsReport: 70% of UK Councils Use Chinese Video Surveillance TechWe sent Freedom of Information requests to 52 UK local councils. Nearly two thirds of respondents said they owned technology made by controversial Chinese firm Hikvision.
Digital RightsU.S. Firms Providing Web Hosting & Other Core Website Support to Blacklisted Surveillance CompaniesAmazon and Microsoft provide core web services for almost half the Chinese surveillance companies on the US Department Of Commerce blacklist
Our Research Experts
Simon Migliano
Head of Research
Simon Migliano leads our research and testing into VPN applications, as well as wider investigations into internet privacy and security matters. Utilizing these findings, he produces in-depth VPN reviews and expert guidance on online safety.
His work examining dangerous free VPNs, identity theft, and internet censorship has been featured in over 1,000 publications worldwide including the BBC, CNET, Wired, and the Financial Times.
Samuel Woodhams
Digital Rights Lead
Samuel Woodhams leads our research on censorship, surveillance, and internet freedom to help defend internet freedoms around the world.
His research has been featured by the BBC, Washington Post, Financial Times, and The Guardian.