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The Privacy and Human Rights Award was developed in 2024 by the Global Privacy Assembly (GPA) Data Protection and Other Rights and Freedoms Working Group (DPORF WG), to celebrate exemplary work to protect and promote privacy and other fundamental rights. The Award is issued in partnership with Access Now, the global digital rights civil society organization.
2026
The 2026 Privacy and Human Rights Award was presented to the Electronic Health Information Laboratory (EHIL), for its research program that facilitates the sharing of electronic health information for secondary purposes while protecting the privacy of patients and the identity of providers.
- 2026 Privacy and Human Rights Award presented to Canadian health research lab developing privacy-enhancing technologies
- CHEO Research Institute
2025
The first Privacy and Human Rights Award was presented in 2025 to two co-recipients: the 5Rights Foundation and the Internet Freedom Foundation.
The 5Rights Foundation was recognized for its efforts to promote the adoption of laws that guarantee digital privacy and data protection rights for children. The global organization was instrumental in securing the United Kingdom’s Children’s Code, a first-ever statutory code of practice for protecting children’s data and advocating for California’s Age-Appropriate Design Code.
The India-based Internet Freedom Foundation was honoured for its litigation and advocacy work defending online freedom and addressing the use of excessive and illegal surveillance. In particular, it was recognized for its advocacy work related to the surveillance of sanitation workers and the introduction of a student ID system.
Information about the Award
What are the eligibility requirements?
This award recognizes an organization that has demonstrated outstanding leadership or initiative at the state, regional, or international level in the fields of privacy or data protection as well as human rights.
To be eligible, organizations must have demonstrated these qualities, for example, through:
- The development of a new initiative or project which sheds light on the relationship between privacy and other human rights.
- The delivery of advocacy work at the state, regional or international level to highlight privacy-related issues in connection with the expression of other human rights.
- The development of new tools or resources to assist communities with understanding their privacy rights in relation to other human rights.
- The undertaking of research and reporting of exceptional quality and depth that focuses on the intersection of privacy, data protection and other fundamental human rights.
The nominees must also adhere to internationally recognized privacy guidelines and standards to be considered.
How do I nominate an organization?
The nomination period for 2026 is now closed. The 2027 nomination process will launch soon, and more details will be published on this site once they are available.
Can individuals be nominated?
While individuals have made notable contributions in the fields of privacy and human rights, the Privacy and Human Rights Award recognizes contributions at the organizational level. Organizations consisting of only one individual, however, are eligible for the award.
What is the submission deadline?
The nomination period for 2026 is now closed. More information to come for the upcoming 2027 nomination round.
What language can I nominate someone in?
Nomination forms must be submitted in English. If you are unable to submit the nomination form in English, please send an email to the GPA Secretariat at [email protected].
How will the award recipient be selected?
An award sub-committee, consisting of representatives from the GPA’s DPORF WG, the GPA’s Reference Panel, and Access Now will determine the award recipient.
The award sub-committee will select the award recipient via consensus vote. If no consensus can be reached, the recipient will be selected via a simple majority. To ensure integrity and transparency of this process, member authorities of the award sub-committee will be made public.
In 2026, the sub-committee was comprised of representatives from:
- Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
- South Africa Information Regulator
- GPA Reference Panel
- Access Now
Other questions?
Please send any other questions to [email protected].