The Chinese Government Just Got the World’s Largest Digital Rights Conference Canceled

image via WIRED

May 1, 2026, 4:49 PM

• •RightsCon 2026 was scheduled to take place in Lusaka, Zambia.
• •The Zambian government cited 'diplomatic protocols' and 'pending administrative and security clearances' as reasons for postponement.
• •Access Now was informed that the exclusion of Taiwanese participants was a condition for the conference's continuation.
• •China has significant political and economic ties with Zambia.

The annual RightsCon conference, a major digital rights event, was cancelled in Zambia due to pressure from the Chinese government, according to the organizing nonprofit, Access Now. The Chinese government reportedly pressured the Zambian government because of planned in-person participation from Taiwanese civil society members. This marks the first time organizers have faced overt pressure from China, with the conference's focus on topics critical of China, including its digital authoritarianism and cyberattacks, likely contributing to the situation. Access Now states they will continue their fight against authoritarianism, despite the cancellation.

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