Who We Are

Founded in 2005, Open Rights Group (ORG) is a UK-based digital campaigning organisation working to protect our rights to privacy and free speech online.

Digital technology has transformed the way we live and opened up limitless new ways to communicate, connect, share and learn across the world. But for all the benefits, technological developments have created new threats to our human rights. We exist to raise awareness of these threats and challenge them through public campaigns, media commentary, legal actions, policy interventions and tech projects.

We Challenge

  • Threats to privacy by both the government through the surveillance of our personal communications and private companies, who use our personal data to increase their profits.

  • Threats to free speech through the criminalisation of online speech, online censorship and restrictive copyright laws.

Our Local Groups

Our Staff

  • ORG Scotland policy is informed by an Advisory Council, consisting of a group of technology experts, academics and activists.
  • ORG is overseen by a Board of Directors, two of whom are elected every two years by our members. None of our Advisory Council members or directors are paid.
  • Our legal panel includes barristers and solicitors who help us with our work. We may also pass on relevant requests for legal assistance to this panel.
  • Our Corporate Supporters support our work and help us to campaign more effectively. In particular Bytemark help us host our servers and AAISP support our Blocked project.
  • ORG is a member organisation of European Digital Rights (EDRi)