SMEX advances digital rights
in West Asia and North Africa.

Who we are

SMEX is a non-profit that advocates for and advances human rights in digital spaces across West Asia and North Africa.

Our Vision

Our vision is for everyone living in WANA and the diaspora to be able to access and engage with the internet, mobile services, and other networked spaces safely and without fear of censorship, surveillance, or repercussion.

Our mission

We advance digital rights in the West Asia and North Africa region through research, campaigns, and advocacy. We encourage users to engage with digital technology, media, and social networks responsibly and critically.

What we do

Our Digital Safety Helpdesk assists internet users facing digital threats in the region

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Tickets received

446

Tickets escalated

91

Journalists assisted

118

Activists assisted

News

Latest Articles

Latest news at the intersection of technology and human rights in WANA.

How Kurdish language divisions hinder access to information

This article was written by Tara Aziz and published on Global Voices on September 6, 2023. Nestled within the Kurdistan mountains near the…

Is Yemen handing over control of communications to the UAE?

On August 21, the Yemeni cabinet of the internationally recognized government signed a clandestine investment agreement in the telecom sector…

Morocco’s Amazigh pursue civic presence through linguistic rights

This article was written by Mohammed Udern and published on Global Voices on August 22, 2023. As a child, Mohammed Ait…

Feminist Content Creators in Egypt: Digital Violence Unbound by Law...

Content that advocates for women’s rights and champions feminist ideas is often met with violent digital attacks in Egypt. These…

Arrested Humor: Nour Hajjar’s Case

Lebanon’s crackdown on freedom of opinion and expression shows no signs of abating. From journalists, activists, and even lawyers, the…

Jordan’s Cybercrime Law to Limit Investments and E-Commerce

In a strategic leap, Jordan’s government embraced the National E-Commerce Strategy in April 2023, pursuing a “competitive and globally recognized…

Women among prime targets of extortion in Yemen

Yosra Al-Asri, a prominent digital rights activist in Yemen, found herself the target of cyberattacks after sharing vital digital security…

Upcoming Events

SMEX Launches the 6th Edition of Bread&Net

Beirut, Lebanon

SMEX will host the sixth iteration of the annual regional digital rights event, Bread&Net, taking place on November 14, 15,…

More Events

Contact Us

We’d love to hear from you.