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
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.
Bread&Net: Save the Date!
For many of us, the internet was never a utopia, but a space of possibility. Building upon decades of collaboration…
Syria Bans Online Surveys Amid Fragile Digital Infrastructure
Syria’s new government has banned all online and digital surveys without prior official approval, according to a decision issued by…
Meta AI’s darker side
AI chatbots have become more and more integrated in the lives of millions since 2022. Beyond technical assistance and finding…
WhatsApp gets a little worse with AI
Last week, Meta announced that WhatsApp will now feature targeted ads. As many news articles and comments from civil society…
Starlink in Lebanon: Who Does it Really Serve?
Hooking Lebanon onto Starlink has been a key initiative of Telecommunications Minister Charles Hajj during his current term—one marked by…
Telecommunications in South Lebanon: Has the Network Recovered After the...
Six months after a fragile ceasefire ended Israel’s full-blown war on Lebanon, many villages in South Lebanon remain without reliable…
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Upcoming Events
Bread&Net: Save the Date!
Beirut For many of us, the internet was never a utopia, but a space of possibility. Building upon decades of collaboration…
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