Club Benefits
Surfshark has announced a new partnership with Amnesty International, becoming a supporting partner of the organization's Digital Forensics Fellowship (DFF) – a training program designed to equip activists, journalists, and human rights defenders with the skills needed to detect and respond to sophisticated digital surveillance.
The DFF is run by Amnesty International's Security Lab and focuses on mobile device forensics. It emerged in the wake of the Pegasus Project – the 2021 investigation that exposed how NSO Group's Pegasus spyware had been used to target journalists, activists, and heads of state worldwide. Digital threats against human rights defenders have grown sharply since, making technical expertise increasingly critical for civil society organizations.
What is the Digital Forensics Fellowship?
The DFF teaches human rights defenders how to conduct consensual mobile device forensics – analyzing devices with the knowledge and consent of the individual involved, to determine whether they have been targeted by spyware or other surveillance tools.
This year's curriculum covers Android and iOS forensics, malware traffic analysis, and a new focus on setting up secure helplines, giving organizations a structured process for receiving and triaging cases safely. Fellows typically come from regions where digital threats are the most severe and technical resources are scarce, and are expected to pass their training on to their wider communities.
Why Surfshark is getting involved
Surfshark's partnership reflects a broader company philosophy that digital safety extends beyond its own products. "The DFF addresses a different but equally critical piece of the puzzle: building the expertise needed to investigate and respond when digital rights are violated," says Dovydas Godelis, CEO at Surfshark.
The best VPN contender already works with Access Now, the Internet Society, and the International Press Institute across cybersecurity education, press freedom, and internet accessibility.
This isn't the first time a leading VPN has backed a major human rights initiative – in March 2026, NordVPN partnered with Internews to embed its tools into digital safety training for journalists and activists in high-risk environments. Surfshark has its own prior relationship with Internews, having provided 100 free subscriptions to journalists and activists across nine countries.
How to apply for Surfshark's Emergency VPN
Journalists, activists, and non-profit representatives facing censorship or surveillance can apply for a free Surfshark One subscription, which includes VPN, antivirus, secure search, and data leak alerts.
To apply, head to Surfshark's website, navigate to the Emergency VPN page, and fill out the application form detailing how a free subscription would support your work.
NordVPN, CyberGhost, IPVanish, and Mullvad run similar emergency programs. For basic protection, Proton VPN Free, Windscribe Free, and PrivadoVPN Free are solid no-cost options.
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