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FreedomLab logoFreedomLab
  • Home
  • About
  • Training Center
    • Managing Risks: Safety and Security in Human Rights Work
    • Human Rights Monitoring
    • Trauma-Informed Interviewing: Skills and Techniques for Monitors
    • Independent Monitoring of Freedom of Peaceful Assembly
    • Other Educational Resources
  • Starlight Stadium
    • Episodes
      • Episode 1
      • Episode 2
      • Episode 3
      • Episode 4
    • Meet the Team
    • Behind the Scenes
  • Tool Library
  • Русский

Tools for HRDs

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FreedomLab’s Tool Library compiles all online tools and resources that can be relevant for human rights defenders, spanning a wide variety of topics. Use the filters below to find relevant resources - tools can be filtered by Topic, Type, and Target Group.  Please note that tools included in this library do not belong to FreedomLab and, whilst the Library is regularly updated and maintained by the FreedomLab team, users should be aware of the risks that arise by clicking on external links.  If you know of a tool that could be added to this library, fill out this form.
Outline
Outline is an open‑source tool that helps journalists, newsrooms, and organizations easily set up and manage their own VPN server to securely access the internet and bypass censorship.
Tool
VPNs
Topics
Digital Security
Last Modified: July 22, 2025
Mullvad VPN
Mullvad is an open‑source VPN that offers true anonymity with no email or personal information required, just a random account number.
Tool
VPNs
Topics
Digital Security
Last Modified: July 22, 2025
DangerZone
Dangerzone is a free, open-source desktop tool from the Freedom of the Press Foundation that securely sanitizes potentially dangerous files like Office documents, PDFs, or images, by rendering them...
Tool
Software
Topics
Digital Security
Last Modified: July 22, 2025
StrongBox
Strongbox is a password manager designed for iOS and macOS that supports KeePass (KDBX) and Password Safe (PSafe3) vault formats.
Tool
Password managers
Topics
Digital Security
Last Modified: July 22, 2025
Briar
Briar is a messaging app designed for activists, journalists, and anyone else who needs a safe, easy and robust way to communicate. Unlike traditional messaging apps, Briar doesn’t rely on a...
Tool
Mobile Applications
Topics
Digital Security
Last Modified: July 22, 2025
SimpleX Chat
SimpleX Chat is a messenger app that goes beyond traditional E2E tools by eliminating usernames entirely, offering persona control, minimal metadata leakage, and full encryption.
Tool
Mobile Applications
Topics
Digital Security
Last Modified: July 22, 2025
Element
Element is a secure, open‑source messaging and collaboration app. It supports end‑to‑end encryption for private chats and group conversations, along with voice and video calls, encrypted file...
Tool
Mobile Applications
Topics
Digital Security
Last Modified: July 22, 2025
Recommended Actions for Online Platforms on Protecting Human Rights Defenders Online
This document sets out 10 recommendations that online platforms should take in partnership with stakeholders to improve HRD safety globally. These recommendations apply to online platforms that...
Tool
Handbooks, Manuals and other publications
Topics
Digital Security
Last Modified: May 28, 2025
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