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.
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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.

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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.
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SMEX relaunches its Digital Rights Fund (DRF) for 2026!

Are you a tech geek, grassroots initiative, student, independent researcher, or civil society organization looking to fund your digital rights…

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MENA Case Study: Civil Society Organizations’ Engagement in Internet Governance...

How did civil society organizations in West Asia and North Africa respond to the enactment of cybercrime laws? What are…

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SMEX relance son Fonds pour les droits numériques (Digital Rights...

Vous êtes un passionné de technologie, une initiative de terrain, un/e étudiant/e, un chercheur/se indépendant/e ou une organisation faisant partie…

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Human Rights Day: SMEX reflects on a year of advocacy...

Over the past year, digital rights have faced increasing pressure. As governments and corporations deploy and develop new technologies at…

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One year on: Israel still violates Lebanon’s digital sovereignty with...

One year after a ceasefire agreement was signed by Israel, Lebanon, and five mediating countries, one thing remains clear: Israel…

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SMEX Launches Its 2024 Annual Report: Digital Rights in Times...

Over the past year, the digital rights movement in our region, West Asia and North Africa, has gained unprecedented momentum….

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SMEX’s Recommendations for Lebanon at the Universal Periodic Review (UPR)

Lebanon is facing its fourth Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in November 2025, a critical moment that we can leverage to…

Upcoming Events

SMEX relaunches its Digital Rights Fund (DRF) for 2026!

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Are you a tech geek, grassroots initiative, student, independent researcher, or civil society organization looking to fund your digital rights…

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More Events

Contact Us

We’d love to hear from you.