A global coalition of NGOs and encryption experts is calling on governments of the "Five Eyes" nations (USA, UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand) to defend the use of strong encryption by private citizens.

Across nations of Africa, it has long been recognised that widespread corruption in many countries has been a major contributing factor in inequality and a barrier to progress.

Croatian immunologist Srecko Sladoljev had just finished telling the story of how he was bullied, suspended and blocked by security guards from entering his workplace after raising concerns about a questionable swine-flu vaccine being readied for widespread use in his country.

A diverse group of individuals from six different countries were recognised for their "bravery, integrity and commitment to the public interest" in exposing workplace corruption, government wrongdoing and detriments to public safety, often at considerable personal cost.

Blueprint for Free Speech joined 171 experts, companies, and organisations in more than 35 countries in asking world leaders to support strong encryption and to reject any law, policy, or mandate that would undermine digital security.