The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) defends civil liberties in the digital world, ensuring that technology supports freedom, privacy, and transparency. As rapid advances in artificial intelligence, data collection, and digital communication reshape society, EFF continues its mission to protect the rights of individuals and hold powerful institutions accountable online.
Guest:
Cindy Cohn, Executive Director, Electronic Frontier Foundation
Interview by: Mark Oppenheim
Key Points
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The Electronic Frontier Foundation advocates for privacy, free expression, and innovation through litigation, policy analysis, and public education.
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The organization focuses on ensuring that new technologies—especially artificial intelligence—are developed and used in ways that respect human rights.
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Government surveillance, corporate data collection, and opaque algorithms pose growing threats to privacy and fairness.
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EFF promotes transparency in government and technology platforms, fighting for the right to access information and challenge censorship.
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Litigation remains a cornerstone of EFF’s work, challenging unconstitutional surveillance and defending users’ digital freedoms in court.
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The foundation works globally, collaborating with partners to resist authoritarian control of the internet and protect activists and journalists.
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Emerging technologies such as AI, facial recognition, and predictive policing systems must be regulated with accountability and public oversight.
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EFF emphasizes the need for strong encryption, net neutrality, and digital education as foundational to democracy in the digital age.
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The organization helps individuals understand and control their personal data through resources, workshops, and online tools.
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Central to EFF’s philosophy is the belief that technology should empower people—not manipulate, monitor, or exploit them.
Other Points
EFF’s work has evolved alongside the internet itself. Initially focused on early free-speech cases and encryption rights, the organization now addresses a complex digital ecosystem involving AI, data brokers, and social media algorithms.
Cindy Cohn notes that while new technologies often promise convenience and progress, they also create profound risks when deployed without ethical guardrails. Ensuring that technology serves democratic values requires vigilance and public engagement.
EFF’s advocacy extends beyond policy; it empowers individuals to act. From training journalists to secure communications to helping citizens understand surveillance tools, EFF translates complex legal and technical issues into accessible action.
Looking ahead, EFF remains committed to keeping technology accountable to humanity—standing for privacy, transparency, and justice in an increasingly digital world.