New technologies are radically advancing our freedoms, but they
are also enabling unparalleled invasions of privacy. National and
international laws have yet to catch up with the evolving need for
privacy that comes with new digital technologies. Respect for
individuals' autonomy, anonymous speech, and the right to free
association must be balanced against legitimate concerns like law
enforcement. EFF fights in the courts and Congress to extend your
privacy rights into the digital world, and works with partners around
the globe to support the development of privacy-protecting
technologies.
Your cell phone helps you keep in touch with friends and family,
but it also makes it easier for security agencies to track your
location.
Your Web searches about sensitive medical information might seem a
secret between you and your search engine, but companies like Google
are creating a treasure trove of personal information by logging your
online activities, and making it potentially available to any party
wielding enough cash or a subpoena.
And the next time you try to board a plane, watch out—you might
be turned away after being mistakenly placed on a government watch
list, or be forced to open your email in the security line.
Several governments have also chosen to use malware to engage in
extra-legal spying or system sabotage for dissidents or non-citizens,
all in the name of “national security.”
As privacy needs evolve, so too should our regulatory regimes.
National governments must put legal checks in place to prevent abuse
of state powers, and international bodies need to consider how a
changing technological environment shapes security agencies’ best
practices. Above all, we need to respect the rights of autonomy,
anonymity, association, and expression that privacy makes possible,
while also taking into account legitimate law enforcement concerns.
Read our work on privacy issues below, and join EFF to help support
our efforts.
For information about the law and technology of government
surveillance in the United States check out EFF's Surveillance
Self-Defense project.
Issues in Privacy
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March 6, 2017 -
February 21, 2017 -
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September 2, 2016 -
September 2, 2016
eff.org/nsa-spying
