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 West Asia-North Africa 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
SMEX advances freedom of expression and the right to privacy in WANA through research and reporting, monitoring state and tech companies’ policies, protecting the safety and security of online users, and collaborating with regional advocates to sustain a safer digital space.
What we do
Our Digital Safety Helpdesk assists internet users facing digital threats in the region
3381
Tickets received
1289
Tickets escalated
729
Journalists assisted
900
Activists assisted
News
Latest Articles
Latest news at the intersection of technology and human rights in WANA.
Will national roaming actually keep Lebanon connected in wartime?
Shortly before the escalation of the Israeli war on Lebanon in early March, Lebanon’s two national telecom operators, Alfa and…
Digital Rights Amid a Regional War: April 17, 2026
Digital Rights Amid a Regional War: April 17, 2026 Beirut, April 15, 2026 — On April 8, Israel launched its…
Rotten Apple: An Invasive Threat Actor Targeting Civil Society in...
Executive Summary The SMEX Digital Forensic Lab presents a report on a spear-phishing campaign that targeted a high profile Lebanese…
Keep Communities in Lebanon Safe, Informed, and Connected. Donate now.
SMEX is working to bridge the connectivity gap for our communities in Lebanon, ensuring they can have access to essential…
Syrians Push Back Against “Sham Cash” App Failures
The “Sham Cash” app in Syria has come back under scrutiny after a widespread outage left users unable to access…
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