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.
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…
Drones in Lebanon: Who can fly them and are they...
After shooting the celebrations for the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary at the Jezzine Municipality, photographer Rami…
Can Instagram moderate Arabic sexual health content?
When it comes to social media reach and engagement, content can perform very differently depending on the perceived gender of…
New Research: Click, Load, Kill: A Look into the Cyberweapon...
New Research: Click, Load, Kill: A Look into the Cyberweapon Industry in the WANA Region
Dr. Sandrine Atallah on social media censorship of sexual health...
“I never change the terminology. I refuse to censor myself or the educational content I share online. If we replace…
Lebanon: Ensure Draft Media Law Upholds Free Expression
Recently Proposed Amendments Would Restrict Rights (Beirut, September 16, 2025) – Lebanon’s parliament should ensure that a draft media law…
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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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