The purpose of this project is to examine how limiting access to financial services impacts political advocacy, journalism, companies, and community groups, and to explore whether these limitations are in line with the values of an open society. Some of the areas of this investigation include financial exclusion that impacts:
- Journalistic organizations and whistleblower websites
- Sexual speech and sex worker advocacy
- New and emerging business models
- Political speech and advocacy
- Internet freedom tools
- Muslim community members
The finished project will include interviews with people and companies that have faced account closures, an analysis of the legal framework and some of the ongoing litigation over these issues, and a discussion of relevant consumer protection law.
This project acknowledges the complex and often conflicting pressures facing financial service providers navigating issues of controversial speech. The purpose of this project is not to offer a one-size-fits-all approach to addressing these issues, but rather to highlight these challenges and offer new lenses for viewing these challenges.
Finally, this research project will explore different tools for addressing the harms of financial exclusion, including best practices for financial services, considerations for regulators, technological alternatives to existing payment structures, and advocacy tools that have proven useful.
Seeking stories
This project is currently seeking examples of individuals and companies who have had their financial services limited or shut down and believe it is a result of their speech, political activities, beliefs, demographics, business models, or for other reasons other than suspected fraud. If this has happened to you, please get in touch by emailing research@financialcensorship.org.
If this has not happened to you, you can still support this project by telling your networks about this project.
Seeking support
If you are a foundation, individual, or organization looking to offer resources to support this project, please email research@financialcensorship.org.
Photo credit: CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 by Wayan Vota.