Privacy and Human Rights Award [FR]
*Nomination period for the 2026 Award is now closed. The Award recipient will be announced at RightsCon 2026, taking place May 5-8, 2026, in Lusaka, Zambia.
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 first award, handed out at RightsCon 2025, was won by the 5Rights Foundation and the Internet Freedom Foundation.
The second edition of the Privacy and Human Rights Award will be presented at Access Now’s summit on human rights in the digital age, RightsCon 2026, in Lusaka, Zambia, May 5-8, 2026.
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 award recipient will be announced at RightsCon 2026, taking place May 5-8, 2026, in Lusaka, Zambia.
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.
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 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.
When will the award recipient be notified?
The award recipient will be announced at RightsCon 2026, taking place May 5-8, 2026, in Lusaka, Zambia.
Other questions?
Please send any other questions to [email protected].