Take part in the survey and help strengthen digital security and online safety for human rights defenders across the region.
The Asia-Pacific Human Rights Tech Survey 2025 is a regional initiative by EngageMedia in collaboration with Tifa Foundation, Open Culture Foundation, SAFEnet, and other strategic partners. This survey is a critical step towards building a comprehensive understanding of how human rights defenders (HRDs) across Asia-Pacific access, use, and experience digital technology designed to protect them.
Why this survey matters
Only three of 15 countries surveyed in Asia-Pacific are classified as “free” in the 2024 Freedom on the Net report. For HRDs – from grassroots activists and community organisers to independent journalists and legal practitioners – digital spaces have become increasingly hostile.
The goal of this survey is to establish a baseline evaluation of the digital security tools and resources used by HRDs in the region. Despite the availability of digital security tools, significant barriers prevent their widespread adoption, including limited awareness, resource constraints, digital literacy challenges, and distrust of technology providers.
What we aim to learn
By participating in this survey, you will help us understand:
- The current usage and effectiveness of digital technology for HRDs, including tools for secure data and content management, private communications and messaging, and censorship and surveillance circumvention
- The issues, challenges, and barriers that HRDs face when adopting privacy-respecting, secure, and open digital technologies in their work
- The skills, expertise, and support systems that exist among human rights defenders to maintain and operate digital technologies for their communities
Understanding regional digital security needs is essential in building capacity, allocating resources, and planning interventions strategically. Every response made through the survey helps EngageMedia and our partners create work more effectively in supporting those defending our rights.
Who should participate
As part of EngageMedia Human Rights Technology Initiative, this survey is intended for individuals who work in the promotion and protection of human rights, democracy, and the environment in Asia-Pacific. Whether you are a grassroots activist, community organiser, independent journalist, or legal practitioner, your insights are invaluable.
The survey has six parts and should take 30-45 minutes to complete. We ask that you respond to all questions as much as you can from your own perspective as an individual human rights defender rather than as a civil society organisation or community group.
Your input will directly inform activities aimed at strengthening the adoption and accessibility of human rights tech, building capacity among HRDs, and addressing the challenges unique to the Asia-Pacific context.
Take action today
Your participation will directly contribute to:
- The development of more accessible, culturally relevant digital security tools
- More targeted funding for under-resourced human rights networks
- Improved learning materials, training resources and capacity-building opportunities
- Strengthened collaboration between HRDs, digital security providers, and support networks
