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

1330

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.

The new feature on X will leak your location without...

Social media platform X (formerly twitter) has just added a new calling feature. Audio and video calls can now be…

Oversight Board: Meta’s Censorship of ‘Shaheed’ Is “Unnecessary and Disproportionate”

(Beirut, March 27, 2024) – Yesterday, the much anticipated Oversight Board decision on  Meta’s approach to moderating the word “shaheed”…

Saudi Authorities Monopolize Media and Advertising Discourse “by Law”

Through global forums and media, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been keen on spreading progressive discourse in an effort…

Tell Meta: Stop Silencing Palestine

Press Release 14 March 2024 Palestinian and global digital rights groups bring top Meta executive to the table on issues…

Mapping Tech Companies’ Cloud Expansion in the Gulf and its...

Since 2018, an increasing number of companies, mainly from the U.S. and China, launched cloud regions and data centers in…

Digital wallets on hold in Lebanon, telecom minister stalling decisions

The Public Procurement Authority has halted efforts by Alfa (one of Lebanon’s state-owned mobile operators) to conclude a direct contract…

80% of Women in Lebanon Face Digital Violence

Last March, UN Women Representative in Lebanon Rachel Dore-Weeks stated that female candidates to the parliamentary elections in Lebanon faced…

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