Join EFF's Cindy Cohn and Eva Galperin in conversation with Ron Deibert, founder of Citizen Lab, to discuss his latest book Chasing Shadows. This gripping account reveals the dark underworld of digital espionage, subversion, and surveillance. With his team's groundbreaking exposu00e9s, Deibert sheds light on the invisible invasions happening worldwide. The conversation will explore the implications of this work, the role of organizations like Citizen Lab in protecting individuals, and the need for a balanced approach to security and privacy in the digital age. Learn more about this critical discussion on March 10, 2025.

The latest EFFector newsletter highlights fresh threats to online privacy and free expression. Apple has turned off Advanced Data Protection for UK users, while a guide is available to limit Meta's data collection. EFF also reports a victory against government surveillance using Section 702. The newsletter provides updates, announcements, and stories on protecting digital rights. By staying informed through EFFector, individuals can stay ahead of the curve in navigating complex issues around technology, civil liberties, and human rights. Subscription options are available for future editions, or listen to the audio edition on the Internet Archive or YouTube.

EFF has filed an amicus brief with the California Supreme Court urging them to uphold the Stored Communications Act's protections on user communications. The 1986 law restricts providers like Meta and Snap from disclosing content to third parties, even with access to stored communications. A lower court decision has been appealed, as it would permit voluntary disclosure of user communications to corporations, governments, or individuals. EFF urges the California Supreme Court to overrule the lower court's decision, maintaining user privacy and encryption protections that have stood for 40 years. Useights are at risk if this decision stands.

Flock Safety's attempts to silence DeFlock.me for mapping ALPR locations have sparked concerns about censorship and corporate influence over public discourse. The company's use of cease-and-desist letters highlights the risks of misusing intellectual property claims to suppress criticism. EFF's rejection of the demand underscores the importance of First Amendment protections in ensuring a free and open exchange of ideas. As DeFlock.me continues to expose the widespread use of ALPRs, the public must be aware of these issues and the potential consequences for individual rights and freedoms.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's public commitment to secure Alaa Abd El Fattah's release has been met with skepticism, with family members and human rights advocates calling for concrete action. Laila Soueif's hospitalization after a prolonged hunger strike highlights the urgency of the situation. The UK government is urged to take decisive action, including summoning the Egyptian ambassador, restricting access to Whitehall, and announcing a moratorium on foreign investment in Egypt. The international community must pressure President Sisi to release Alaa, a British citizen who has served his five-year sentence, and reunite him with his family.

The TAKE IT DOWN Act, passed by the Senate, aims to speed up removal of non-consensual intimate imagery, including "deepfakes." However, critics argue that the bill's current draft threatens free expression, user privacy, and due process. The legislation's takedown provision could lead to wrongful censorship, particularly for lawful content like satire, journalism, and political speech. Experts emphasize the need for safeguards and protections, highlighting existing civil and criminal laws as a more effective approach. Congress is urged to oppose the bill and focus on improving these laws instead.Action can be taken by contacting your Member of Congress to express opposition to the bill.

As reproductive health care becomes increasingly restricted, safeguarding personal health data is more crucial than ever. The proposed New York Health Information Privacy Act would provide vital protections for New Yorkers' electronic health data, prohibiting data sales, requiring explicit consent, and granting deletion rights. Unlike HIPAA, this bill expands coverage to include data brokers, tech companies, and other entities in the digital ecosystem. With nearly half of U.S. states banning oestricting abortion, this legislation is an essential step toward safeguarding the digital privacy of New Yorkers and preventing the misuse of sensitive health information.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) is opposed to proposed changes to Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 29 that would make it harder to file amicus briefs in circuit courts. These changes could significantly reduce the number and types of amicus briefs filed, limiting EFF's ability to provide valuable perspectives on cases. EFF has extensively engaged with courts on amicus briefs, which have been cited by numerous judges. Limiting these briefs would undermine the public interest mission of organizations like EFF and may have negative consequences for civil liberties in the digital age.

Apple has stopped offering its Advanced Data Protection (ADP) feature in the UK, citing concerns over government demands for a backdoor that could compromise global security. The UK's Investigatory Powers Act authorizes orders to compromise security, but US policymakers are pushing back against this practice. Companies like WhatsApp and Samsung are already providing end-to-end encryption options, highlighting alternatives to backdoors. The move leaves UK users vulnerable to hacking and identity theft, sparking debate about balancing national security with individual privacy rights. International cooperation and regulation are crucial in preventing such situations.