Cindy Cohn Leaves EFF, Continues Digital Rights Fight
▼ Summary
– Cindy Cohn is stepping down as executive director of the Electronic Frontier Foundation after leading the organization since 2015.
– She first gained prominence as lead counsel in the Bernstein v. Department of Justice case, which overturned federal restrictions on encryption code publication.
– Under her leadership, EFF expanded its influence in shaping debates on privacy, security, and digital freedom through legal challenges and advocacy.
– Cohn considers the early encryption victories foundational but acknowledges ongoing battles against NSA surveillance and national security issues.
– After stepping down, she plans to remain active in frontline advocacy and will release a book titled “Privacy’s Defender” next spring.
After twenty-five years at the forefront of digital rights advocacy, Cindy Cohn has announced her departure from the Electronic Frontier Foundation, where she served as executive director since 2015. Her leadership helped shape critical battles over online privacy, encryption, and corporate accountability, leaving a lasting imprint on the organization and the broader movement for digital freedom.
Cohn first gained recognition as the lead attorney in Bernstein v. Department of Justice, a landmark case from the 1990s that successfully challenged government restrictions on encryption code publication. During her tenure at EFF, first as legal director and later as executive director, she steered the organization through high-stakes legal confrontations involving mass surveillance, computer crime legislation, and corporate data practices. Under her guidance, EFF evolved into a powerful voice influencing global conversations on security, privacy, and individual rights in the digital age.
In a recent interview, Cohn reflected on both historic victories and ongoing struggles, including foundational encryption wins and protracted efforts to rein in NSA surveillance. She emphasized the critical importance of encryption in everyday digital life, from securing online transactions to protecting journalists and activists. Encryption safeguards everything from financial data to private messaging, she noted, underscoring that early legal triumphs laid the groundwork for a more secure internet, even as new threats continue to emerge.
While Cohn is stepping down from her managerial role, she has no intention of leaving the fight. Describing herself as “more of a warrior than a manager,” she plans to return to frontline advocacy, focusing on issues like government transparency and corporate power. She is also preparing to release a book next spring titled Privacy’s Defender, which aims to motivate a new wave of digital rights defenders.
Reflecting on unfinished business, Cohn pointed to the persistent challenge of curbing unwarranted surveillance. Although efforts like Jewel v. NSA did not achieve all their aims, she highlighted that sustained legal and legislative pressure has gradually rolled back some of the most extreme post-9/11 surveillance practices. The work, she made clear, is far from over.
(Source: Wired)
