Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed the TAKE IT DOWN Act, giving the powerful a dangerous new route to manipulate platforms into removing lawful speech that they simply don’t like. President Trump himself has said that he would use the law to censor his critics.…
Tag: Deeplinks
EFF Leads Prominent Security Experts in Urging Trump Administration to Leave Chris Krebs Alone
Political Retribution for Telling the Truth Weakens the Entire Infosec Community and Threatens Our Democracy; Letter Remains Open for Further Sign-Ons < div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> SAN FRANCISCO – The Trump Administration…
Texas’s War on Abortion Is Now a War on Free Speech
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> Once again, the Texas legislature is coming after the most common method of safe and effective abortion today—medication abortion. Senate Bill (S.B.) 2880* seeks to prevent the sale…
Trump Administration’s Targeting of International Students Jeopardizes Free Speech and Privacy Online
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> The federal government is using social media surveillance to target student visa holders living in the United States for online speech the Trump administration disfavors in an…
IRS-ICE Immigrant Data Sharing Agreement Betrays Data Privacy and Taxpayers’ Trust
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> In an unprecedented move, the U.S. Department of Treasury and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently reached an agreement allowing the IRS to share with…
Leaders Must Do All They Can to Bring Alaa Home
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> It has now been nearly two months since UK Prime Minister Starmer spoke with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, yet there has been no tangible progress in…
Six Years of Dangerous Misconceptions Targeting Ola Bini and Digital Rights in Ecuador
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> Ola Bini was first detained in Quito’s airport six years ago, called a “Russian hacker,” and accused of “alleged participation in the crime of assault on the integrity of computer systems.”…
Digital Identities and the Future of Age Verification in Europe
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> This is the first part of a three-part series about age verification in the European Union. In this blog post, we give an overview of the political debate around age verification…
Florida’s Anti-Encryption Bill Is a Wrecking Ball to Privacy. There’s Still Time to Stop It.
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> We’ve seen plenty of bad tech bills in recent years, often cloaked in vague language about “online safety.” But Florida’s SB 868 doesn’t even pretend to be…
Why the FTC v. Meta Trial Matters: Competition Gaps and Civil Liberties Opportunities
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> We’re in the midst of a long-overdue resurgence in antitrust litigation. In the past 12 months alone, there have been three landmark rulings against Google/Alphabet (in search, advertising, and payments). Then…
EFF to Congress: Here’s What A Strong Privacy Law Looks Like
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> Enacting strong federal consumer data privacy laws is among EFF’s highest priorities. For decades, EFF has advocated for federal privacy law that is concrete, ambitious, and fully…
Congress Moves Closer to Risky Internet Takedown Law | EFFector 37.4
Sorry, EFF doesn’t hand out candy like the Easter Bunny, but we are here to keep you updated on the latest digital rights news with our EFFector newsletter! This edition of EFFector explains how you can help us push back…
EFF Urges Court to Avoid Fair Use Shortcuts in Kadrey v. Meta Platforms
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> EFF has filed an amicus brief in Kadrey v. Meta, one of the many ongoing copyright lawsuits against AI developers. Most of the AI copyright cases raise…
Privacy on the Map: How States Are Fighting Location Surveillance
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> Your location data isn’t just a pin on a map—it’s a powerful tool that reveals far more than most people realize. It can expose where you work, where you pray, who…
EFF Joins Amicus Briefs Supporting Two More Law Firms Against Unconstitutional Executive Orders
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> Update 4/11/25: EFF joined the ACLU and other legal advocacy organizations today in filing two additional amicus briefs in support of the law firms Jenner & Block and…
Florida’s New Social Media Bill Says the Quiet Part Out Loud and Demands an Encryption Backdoor
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> At least Florida’s SB 868/HB 763, “Social Media Use By Minors” bill isn’t beating around the bush when it states that it would require “social media platforms…
Cybersecurity Community Must Not Remain Silent On Executive Order Attacking Former CISA Director
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> Cybersecurity professionals and the infosec community have essential roles to play in protecting our democracy, securing our elections, and building, testing, and safeguarding government infrastructure. It is…
Certbot 4.0: Long Live Short-Lived Certs!
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> When Let’s Encrypt, a free certificate authority, started issuing 90 day TLS certificates for websites, it was considered a bold move that helped push the ecosystem towards…
Congress Takes Another Step Toward Enabling Broad Internet Censorship
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> The House Energy and Commerce Committee on Tuesday advanced the TAKE IT DOWN Act (S. 146) , a bill that seeks to speed up the removal of…
Our Privacy Act Lawsuit Against DOGE and OPM: Why a Judge Let It Move Forward
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> Last week, a federal judge rejected the government’s motion to dismiss our Privacy Act lawsuit against the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and Elon Musk’s “Department…
EFF, Civil Society Groups, Academics Call on UK Home Secretary to Address Flawed Data Bill
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> Last week, EFF joined 30 civil society groups and academics in warning UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and Department for Science, Innovation & Technology Secretary Peter Kyle about the law enforcement…
Judge Rejects Government’s Attempt to Dismiss EFF Lawsuit Against OPM, DOGE, and Musk
Court Confirms That, If Proven, DOGE’s Ongoing Access to Personnel Records Is Illegal < div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> NEW YORK—A lawsuit seeking to stop the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) from disclosing tens of millions…
EFF Joins Amicus Brief Supporting Perkins Coie Law Firm Against Unconstitutional Executive Order
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> EFF has joined the American Civil Liberties Union and other legal advocacy organizations across the ideological spectrum in filing an amicus brief asking a federal judge to…
Calyx Institute: A Case Study in Grassroots Innovation
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> Technologists play a huge role in building alternative tools and resources when our right to privacy and security are undermined by governments and major corporations. This direct…
Site-Blocking Legislation Is Back. It’s Still a Terrible Idea.
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> More than a decade ago, Congress tried to pass SOPA and PIPA—two sweeping bills that would have allowed the government and copyright holders to quickly shut down entire websites based on…
Vote for “How to Fix the Internet” in the Webby Awards People’s Voice Competition!
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> EFF’s “How to Fix the Internet” podcast is a nominee in the Webby Awards 29th Annual People’s Voice competition – and we need your support to bring…
EFF Urges Third Circuit to Join the Legal Chorus: No One Owns the Law
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> Two appeals courts have recently rejected efforts by private parties to use copyright to restrict access to the laws that most directly affect ordinary citizens: regulations that ensure our homes, workplaces,…
Announcing EFF’s New Exhibit on Border Surveillance and Accompanying Events
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> EFF has created a traveling exhibit, “Border Surveillance: Places, People, and Technology,” which will make its debut at the Angel Island Immigration Station historical site this spring.…
EFF Installs Border Technology Exhibit at Angel Island Immigration Station
Exhibit Encourages Visitors to Consider the Past and Present of U.S. Border Policy < div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> SAN FRANCISCO—The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has installed a photographic and informational exhibit on…
Congress Must Reject Transparent Efforts to Undermine the Courts
Earlier this week, the House Judiciary Committee passed H.R. 1526, a bill by Rep. Darrell Issa to prevent courts from issuing nationwide injunctions. This bill could receive a vote on the House floor as early as next week. Senator Josh…
A Congressional Bill to Limit Court Power Through Injunctions Is a Bad, Transparent Effort to Limit Court Power
Earlier this week, the House Judiciary Committee passed H.R. 1526, a bill by Rep. Darrell Issa to prevent courts from issuing nationwide injunctions. This bill could receive a vote on the House floor as early as next week. Senator Josh…
Online Tracking is Out of Control—Privacy Badger Can Help You Fight Back
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> Every time you browse the web, you’re being tracked. Most websites contain invisible tracking code that allows companies to collect and monetize data about your online activity.…
A New Tool to Detect Cellular Spying | EFFector 37.3
Take some time during your Spring Break to catch up on the latest digital rights news by subscribing to EFF’s EFFector newsletter! This edition of the newsletter covers our new open source tool to detect cellular spying, Rayhunter; The Foilies…
How to Delete Your 23andMe Data
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> This week, the genetic testing company 23andMe filed for bankruptcy, which means the genetic data the company collected on millions of users is now up for sale.…
Saving the Internet in Europe: Fostering Choice, Competition and the Right to Innovate
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> This post is part four and the final part in a series of posts about EFF’s work in Europe. Read about how and why we work in Europe here. EFF’s mission…
230 Protects Users, Not Big Tech
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> Once again, several Senators appear poised to gut one of the most important laws protecting internet users – Section 230 (47 U.S.C. § 230). Don’t be fooled…
Podcast Episode Rerelease: Dr. Seuss Warned Us
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> This episode was first released on May 2, 2023. We’re excited to announce that we’re working on a new season of How to Fix the Internet, coming…
A Win for Encryption: France Rejects Backdoor Mandate
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> In a moment of clarity after initially moving forward a deeply flawed piece of legislation, the French National Assembly has done the right thing: it rejected a…
New USPTO Memo Makes Fighting Patent Trolls Even Harder
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) just made a move that will protect bad patents at the expense of everyone else. In a memo released February…
How Do You Solve a Problem Like Google Search? Courts Must Enable Competition While Protecting Privacy.
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> Can we get from a world where Google is synonymous with search to a world where other search engines have a real chance to compete? The U.S.…
State AGs Must Act: EFF Expands Call to Investigate Crisis Pregnancy Centers
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> Back in January, EFF called on attorneys general in Florida, Texas, Arkansas, and Missouri to investigate potential privacy violations and hold accountable crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) that…
EFF’s Reflections from RightsCon 2025
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> EFF was delighted to once again attend RightsCon—this year hosted in Taipei, Taiwan between 24-27 February. As with previous years, RightsCon provided an invaluable opportunity for human…
California’s A.B. 412: A Bill That Could Crush Startups and Cement A Big Tech AI Monopoly
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> California legislators have begun debating a bill (A.B. 412) that would require AI developers to track and disclose every registered copyrighted work used in AI training. At…
EFF Joins 7amleh Campaign to #ReconnectGaza
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> In times of conflict, the internet becomes more than just a tool—it is a lifeline, connecting those caught in chaos with the outside world. It carries voices…
The Foilies 2025
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> Recognize the Worst in Government Transparency Co-written by MuckRock’s Michael Morisy, Dillon Bergin, and Kelly Kauffman The public’s right to access government information is constantly under siege…
EFF to NSF: AI Action Plan Must Put People First
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> This past January the new administration issued an executive order on Artificial Intelligence (AI), taking the place of the now rescinded Biden-era order, calling for a new…
EFF Thanks Fastly for Donated Tools to Help Keep Our Website Secure
EFF’s most important platform for welcoming everyone to join us in our fight for a better digital future is our website, eff.org. We thank Fastly for their generous in-kind contribution of services helping keep EFF’s website online. Eff.org was first…
EFFecting Change: Is There Hope for Social Media?
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> Please join EFF for the next segment of EFFecting Change, our livestream series covering digital privacy and free speech. EFFecting Change Livestream Series:Is There Hope for Social Media?Thursday, March 20th12:00 PM – 1:00 PM…
EFF Joins AllOut’s Campaign Calling for Meta to Stop Hate Speech Against LGBTQ+ Community
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> In January, Meta made targeted changes to its hateful conduct policy that would allow dehumanizing statements to be made about certain vulnerable groups. More specifically, Meta’s hateful…
In Memoriam: Mark Klein, AT&T Whistleblower Who Revealed NSA Mass Spying
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> EFF is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Mark Klein, a bona fide hero who risked civil liability and criminal prosecution to help expose a…
EFF Stands with Perkins Coie and the Rule of Law
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> As a legal organization that has fought in court to defend the rights of technology users for almost 35 years, including numerous legal challenges to federal government overreach, Electronic Frontier Foundation…
Anchorage Police Department: AI-Generated Police Reports Don’t Save Time
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> The Anchorage Police Department (APD) has concluded its three-month trial of Axon’s Draft One, an AI system that uses audio from body-worn cameras to write narrative police…
Hawaii Takes a Stand for Privacy: HCR 144/HR 138 Calls for Investigation of Crisis Pregnancy Centers
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> In a bold push for medical privacy, Hawaii’s House of Representatives has introduced HCR 144/HR 138, a resolution calling for the Hawaii Attorney General to investigate whether…
Ten Years of The Foilies
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> A look back at the games governments played to avoid transparency In the year 2015, we witnessed the launch of OpenAI, a debate over the color of a dress going viral,…
Right to Repair: A Prime Example of Grassroots Advocacy
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> Good old-fashioned grassroots advocacy is one of the best tools we have right now for making a positive change for our civil liberties online. When we unite toward a shared goal, anything…
EFF Sends Letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee Opposing the STOP CSAM Act
On Monday, March 10, EFF sent a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee opposing the Strengthening Transparency and Obligation to Protect Children Suffering from Abuse and Mistreatment Act (STOP CSAM Act) ahead of a committee hearing on the bill. EFF…
RightsCon Community Calls for Urgent Release of Alaa Abd El-Fattah
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> Last month saw digital rights organizations and social justice groups head to Taiwan for this year’s RightsCon conference on human rights in the digital age. During the…
First Porn, Now Skin Cream? ‘Age Verification’ Bills Are Out of Control
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> I’m old enough to remember when age verification bills were pitched as a way to ‘save the kids from porn’ and shield them from other vague dangers…
Simple Phish Bait: EFF Is Not Investigating Your Albion Online Forum Account
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> We recently learned that users of the Albion Online gaming forum have received direct messages purporting to be from us. That message, which leverages the fear of…
Trump Calls On Congress To Pass The “Take It Down” Act—So He Can Censor His Critics
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> We’ve opposed the Take It Down Act because it could be easily manipulated to take down lawful content that powerful people simply don’t like. Last night, President…
Meet Rayhunter: A New Open Source Tool from EFF to Detect Cellular Spying
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> At EFF we spend a lot of time thinking about Street Level Surveillance technologies—the technologies used by police and other authorities to spy on you while you…
Ninth Circuit Correctly Rules That Dating App Isn’t Liable for Matching Users
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit correctly held that Grindr, a popular dating app, can’t be held responsible for matching users and enabling them…
Anti-Surveillance Mapmaker Refuses Flock Safety’s Cease and Desist Demand
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> Flock Safety loves to crow about the thousands of local law enforcement agencies around the United States that have adopted its avian–themed automated license plate readers (ALPRs).…
Fresh Threats to Privacy Around the Globe | EFFector 37.2
EFF is here to keep you up-to-date with the latest news in the world of civil liberties and human rights online with our EFFector newsletter! This edition of the newsletter covers Apple’s recent decision to turn off Advanced Data Protection…
EFF to UK PM Starmer: Call Sisi to Free Alaa and Save Laila
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer made a public commitment on February 14 to Laila Soueif, the mother of Alaa Abd El Fattah, stating “I will do all…
The Senate Passed The TAKE IT DOWN Act, Threatening Free Expression and Due Process
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> Earlier this month, the Senate passed the TAKE IT DOWN Act (S. 146), by a voice vote. The bill is meant to speed up the removal of…
New Yorkers Deserve Stronger Health Data Protections Now—Governor Hochul Can Make It Happen
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> With the rise of digital surveillance, securing our health data is no longer just a privacy issue—it’s a matter of personal safety. In the wake of the…
The Judicial Conference Should Continue to Liberally Allow Amicus Briefs, a Critical Advocacy Tool
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> EFF does a lot of things, including impact litigation, legislative lobbying, and technology development, all to fight for your civil liberties in the digital age. With litigation,…
Cornered by the UK’s Demand for an Encryption Backdoor, Apple Turns Off Its Strongest Security Setting
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> Today, in response to the U.K.’s demands for a backdoor, Apple has stopped offering users in the U.K. Advanced Data Protection, an optional feature in iCloud that…
EFF at RightsCon 2025
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> EFF is delighted to be attending RightsCon again—this year hosted in Taipei, Taiwan between 24-27 February. RightsCon provides an opportunity for human rights experts, technologists, activists, and…
Copyright and AI: the Cases and the Consequences
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> The launch of ChatGPT and other deep learning quickly led to a flurry of lawsuits against model developers. Legal theories vary, but most are rooted in copyright:…
AI and Copyright: Expanding Copyright Hurts Everyone—Here’s What to Do Instead
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> You shouldn’t need a permission slip to read a webpage–whether you do it with your own eyes, or use software to help. AI is a category of…
Stop Censoring Abortion: The Fight for Reproductive Rights in the Digital Age
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> With reproductive rights under fire across the U.S. and globally, access to accurate abortion information has never been more critical—especially online. That’s why reproductive health and rights…
EFF and Repro Uncensored Launch #StopCensoringAbortion Campaign
Campaign Aims to Ensure that People Can Access Reproductive Rights Information Through Social Media < div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> SAN FRANCISCO—The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and the Repro Uncensored coalition on Wednesday…
Saving the Internet in Europe: Defending Privacy and Fighting Surveillance
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> This post is part three in a series of posts about EFF’s work in Europe. Read about how and why we work in Europe here. EFF’s mission…
Crimson Memo: Analyzing the Privacy Impact of Xianghongshu AKA Red Note
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> Early in January 2025 it seemed like TikTok was on the verge of being banned by the U.S. government. In reaction to this imminent ban, several million…
Alaa Abd El Fattah’s Mother, Laila Soueif, Calls on UK Government to Help as She Continues Hunger Strike
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> As calls by UK’s top leaders for the release of British-Egyptian blogger, coder, and activist Alaa Abd El-Fattah from prison in Cairo continue, Alaa’s mother, math professor…
First Trump DOJ Assembled “Tiger Team” To Rewrite Key Law Protecting Online Speech
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> As President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order in 2020 to retaliate against online services that fact-checked him, a team within the Department of Justice (DOJ) was finalizing a proposal to…
Yes, You Have the Right to Film ICE
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> Across the United States, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has already begun increasing enforcement operations, including highly publicized raids. As immigrant communities, families, allies, and activists think…
When Platforms and the Government Unite, Remember What’s Private and What Isn’t
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> For years now, there has been some concern about the coziness between technology companies and the government. Whether a company complies with casual government requests for data,…
EFF Sues OPM, DOGE and Musk for Endangering the Privacy of Millions
Lawsuit Argues Defendants Violated the Privacy Act by Disclosing Sensitive Data < div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> NEW YORK—EFF and a coalition of privacy defenders led by Lex Lumina filed a lawsuit today…
The TAKE IT DOWN Act: A Flawed Attempt to Protect Victims That Will Lead to Censorship
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> Congress has begun debating the TAKE IT DOWN Act (S. 146), a bill that seeks to speed up the removal of a troubling type of online content:…
Privacy Loves Company
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> Most of the internet’s blessings—the opportunities for communities to connect despite physical borders and oppressive controls, the avenues to hold the powerful accountable without immediate censorship, the…
Building a Community Privacy Plan
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> Digital security training can feel overwhelming, and not everyone will have access to new apps, new devices, and new tools. There also isn’t one single system of…
Why the so-called AI Action Summit falls short
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> Ever since Chat-GPT’s debut, artificial intelligence (AI) has been the center of worldwide discussions on the promises and perils of new technologies. This has spawned a flurry of debates on the…
Why the so-called AI Action summit falls short
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> Ever since Chat-GPT’s debut, artificial intelligence (AI) has been the center of worldwide discussions on the promises and perils of new technologies. This has spawned a flurry of debates on the…
The UK’s Demands for Apple to Break Encryption Is an Emergency for Us All
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> The Washington Post reported that the United Kingdom is demanding that Apple create an encryption backdoor to give the government access to end-to-end encrypted data in iCloud.…
EFF to Ninth Circuit: Young People Have a First Amendment Right to Use Social Media (and All of Its Features)
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> Minors, like everyone else, have First Amendment rights. These rights extend to their ability to use social media both to speak and access the speech of others…
EFF Applauds Little Rock, AR for Cancelling ShotSpotter Contract
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> Community members coordinated to pack Little Rock City Hall on Tuesday, where board members voted 5-3 to end the city’s contract with ShotSpotter. Initially funded through a federal grant, Little Rock…
EFF Applauds Little Rock, AK for Cancelling ShotSpotter Contract
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> Community members coordinated to pack Little Rock City Hall on Tuesday, where board members voted 5-3 to end the city’s contract with ShotSpotter. Initially funded through a federal grant, Little Rock…
Protecting Free Speech in Texas: We Need To Stop SB 336
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> The Texas legislature will soon be debating a bill that would seriously weaken the free speech protections of people in that state. If you live in Texas,…
Closing the Gap in Encryption on Mobile
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> It’s time to expand encryption on Android and iPhone. With governments around the world engaging in constant attacks on user’s digital rights and access to the internet,…
Paraguay’s Broadband Providers Continue to Struggle to Attain Best Practices at Protecting Users’ Data
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> Paraguay’s five leading broadband service providers made some strides in making their privacy policies more accessible to the public, but continue to fall short in their commitments…
Victory! EFF Helps Defeat Meritless Lawsuit Against Journalist
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> Jack Poulson is a reporter, and when a confidential source sent him the police report of a tech CEO’s arrest for felony domestic violence, he did what…
European Commission Gets Dinged for Unlawful Data Transfer, Sending a Big Message About Accountability
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> The European Commission was caught failing to comply with its own data protection regulations and, in a first, ordered to pay damages to a user for the…
How State Tech Policies in 2024 Set the Stage for 2025
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> EFF has been at the forefront of defending civil liberties in the digital age, with our activism team working across state, federal, and local levels to safeguard…
Key Issues Shaping State-Level Tech Policy
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> We’re taking a moment to reflect on the 2024 state legislative session and what it means for the future of digital rights at the state level. Informed by insights from the…
Open Licensing Promotes Culture and Learning. That’s Why EFF Is Upgrading its Creative Commons Licenses.
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> At EFF, we’re big fans of the Creative Commons project, which makes copyright work in empowering ways for people who want to share their work widely. EFF…
Copyright is a Civil Liberties Nightmare
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> If you’ve got lawyers and a copyright, the law gives you tremendous power to silence speech you don’t like. Copyright’s statutory damages can be as high as…
Executive Order to the State Department Sideswipes Freedom Tools, Threatens Censorship Resistance, Privacy, and Anonymity of Millions
< div class=”field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden”> < div class=”field__items”> < div class=”field__item even”> In the first weeks of the Trump Administration, we have witnessed a spate of sweeping, confusing, and likely unconstitutional executive orders, including some that have already had…