Who Defends Your Digital Rights? Meet EFF's Cindy Cohn

Overview

This episode features Cindy Cohn, Executive Director of the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), discussing the fight for digital rights, the importance of encryption, and the dangers of surveillance. Cindy shares insights into pivotal legal battles, the risks of poorly designed legislation, and practical advice for protecting personal privacy in an increasingly authoritarian digital landscape.

Notable Quotes

- If the police showed up at your front door and said, 'Leave your back door open so we can catch burglars,' you'd think they were crazy. But that's exactly what they're asking for with encryption backdoors. – Cindy Cohn, on the absurdity of weakening encryption for law enforcement.

- Privacy isn’t just important for each of us—it’s important for all of us. It’s how society self-governs and makes change. – Cindy Cohn, on the collective value of privacy.

- I don’t think Trump is concerned about non-consensual sexual imagery. – Cindy Cohn, critiquing the misuse of laws like the Take It Down Act for political censorship.

🔐 The Fight for Encryption and Digital Security

- Cindy explains how encryption safeguards online security, from protecting personal data on phones to enabling secure communication via tools like Signal.

- The Bernstein v. Department of Justice case, which Cindy led, removed cryptography from the munitions list, allowing widespread innovation in online security.

- She warns about global threats to encryption, citing the UK’s demand for backdoors in encrypted devices and Apple’s resistance to such measures.

- Weakening encryption for one country sets a dangerous precedent, enabling authoritarian regimes worldwide to demand similar access.

📜 The Nothing to Hide Myth and Privacy as a Collective Right

- Cindy dismantles the nothing to hide argument, emphasizing that privacy protects vulnerable communities and enables societal progress.

- Historical examples, such as LGBTQ+ rights movements, show how private conversations often precede public change.

- She highlights how metadata, even without message content, can reveal sensitive information, making tools like Signal preferable to WhatsApp for privacy-conscious users.

⚖️ Dangerous Legislation: Take It Down Act and COSA

- The Take It Down Act, intended to combat non-consensual sexual imagery, risks being weaponized for political censorship, as noted by Trump’s public enthusiasm for its misuse.

- The Kids Online Safety Act (COSA) could lead to widespread age-gating and identity verification online, creating privacy risks and barriers for marginalized groups.

- Cindy critiques lawmakers for prioritizing optics over practical solutions, often ignoring the collateral damage of poorly designed laws.

🌍 Tactical Privacy Advice for Everyday Life

- Cindy shares practical tips for protecting personal data, such as using Signal for secure communication, setting disappearing messages, and turning off biometrics in high-risk situations.

- For international travelers, she recommends carrying a burner phone or wiping devices before crossing borders, as constitutional protections are limited at entry points.

- Threat modeling—assessing personal risks and tailoring security practices accordingly—is key to balancing convenience and safety.

🛡️ The Role of EFF and the Fight for Digital Rights

- The EFF, with its 125-strong team of lawyers, technologists, and activists, fights for user rights through litigation, activism, and tools like Privacy Badger and CertBot.

- Cindy underscores the importance of member support, as EFF avoids funding from major tech companies to maintain independence.

- She calls for systemic change, advocating for comprehensive privacy laws and regulations that prioritize user rights over corporate or governmental interests.