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…
In Lebanon, a missed payment can cost you your mobile...
Khaled, a Lebanese expatriate, returned home after a year abroad only to discover that his 20-year-old phone number, deeply connected…
When Transparency Fails: Meta’s Political Ad Policy During Israel’s War...
Since October 2023, both pro-Palestinian groups and their opponents have increasingly relied on online political ads to shape public discourse….
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…
Meta Censored Critical Updates on Syria’s Regime Change, Prompting Oversight...
In December 2024, Syrians witnessed the unthinkable: the collapse of Assad’s regime by a coalition of armed groups, led by…
Join 5,000+ readers.
Subscribe to the #TheByte.
Stay in the loop with everything you need to know.
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…
Contact Us
We’d love to hear from you.
