On September 9, 2026, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) announced the winners of its 2026 awards: Access Now, 7amleh – The Arab Center for the Advancement of Social Media, DeFlock, and New Media Rights. The awards recognize specific technical, social, economic, or cultural contributions in areas including digital access, legislation, technology development, journalism, and law.
This edition comes nearly 30 years after the awards were launched, when they were formerly known as the Pioneer Awards. EFF says this year’s honors reflect the expanding role that digital services and platforms play in communication, organizing, and creative work, as well as the risks that accompany their use when surveillance, restrictions on access, or privacy violations are involved.
Organizations Working at Different Levels
Access Now was honored for its work defending the digital rights of individuals and communities at risk. The organization was founded in 2009 as an emergency response team to help Iranian activists restore their connections and communicate safely, after which its work expanded. Its tools include a 24-hour digital security helpline that provides direct technical support to civil society organizations, journalists, and human rights defenders, as well as grants for frontline organizations and the organization of the RightsCon conference.
7amleh, a nonprofit organization focused on Palestinians and the Middle East and North Africa, works to monitor challenges involving internet access, privacy, freedom of expression, and freedom of association online. It also trains activists, human rights defenders, and civil society organizations on digital rights, gender-sensitive digital security, and online advocacy. EFF stated that the organization led the #ReconnectGaza campaign to demand the restoration of full internet access in Gaza, with support from dozens of international nongovernmental organizations.
Surveillance and Legal Assistance
The volunteer-supported, open-source DeFlock project uses maps to monitor surveillance devices around the world, with a focus on automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology. The project was founded in 2024 by software engineer and privacy advocate Will Freeman, and provides resources that help individuals request public records, communicate with local legislators, and take action against the use of this technology.
The fourth winner is New Media Rights, a nonprofit program based in San Diego and affiliated with California Western School of Law. The program provides free legal assistance and legal education to creators and consumers, handling issues such as copyright abuse, online harassment, and privacy violations. It has also produced hundreds of written and visual guides, including the Fair Use App, and participated in proceedings related to net neutrality, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, and copyright reform.
Why Does This News Matter?
The list of winners brings together four layers of digital work: direct security response, defending access and rights during crises, making tools available to hold surveillance systems accountable, and providing legal support to users and creators. From certi.news’s perspective, the announcement’s importance lies not only in the award itself, but also in showing that protecting digital rights depends on a multistakeholder infrastructure and is not limited to developing new technical tools.
At the same time, the announcement provides no details about the value of the awards, when they will be presented, or measurable outcomes for each organization. Its primary significance therefore remains institutional recognition of existing work, rather than an announcement of a new technical program or a binding regulatory change.