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 devastating human c...
Read Full Article »Executive Order to the State Department Sideswipes Freedom Tools, Threatens Censorship Resistance, Privacy, and Anonymity of Millions
Discussion Points
- The impact of the executive order on the global landscape of digital rights and freedoms, particularly in countries where these tools are crucial for protecting citizens' security, privacy, and anonymity.
- The potential consequences of suspending contracts with organizations that rely on State Department funding, including the effects on researchers, developers, and users of these freedom technologies.
- The role of international cooperation and diplomacy in ensuring that the United States upholds its obligations to protect digital rights and freedoms, rather than undermining them through executive orders.
Summary
The EFF is sounding the alarm about the devastating impact of the Trump Administration's executive order on global digital rights. The Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid has led to the suspension of contracts with hundreds of organizations that rely on State Department funding, including those working on critical freedom technologies like Tor, Guardian Project, and OONI.
This move has severe consequences foesearchers, developers, and users worldwide, who will be forced to curtail or halt their work. The EFF urges a full reinstatement of these programs, highlighting their crucial role in supporting freedom and human rights abroad.