After one quarter Cindy Cohn announced on Tuesday that she will resign as executive director of the Electronic Border Foundation in order to defend digital rights. Cohn, who has led San Francisco’s nonprofit since 2015, said she will leave the position later this year to end a chapter that helps define the modern online free struggle.
Cohen is the chief consultant first Bernstein v. JusticeThe 1990s case overturned federal restrictions on issuing encryption regulations. As EFF’s legal director and later executive director, she directed the group to take legal challenges Government surveillancereforms to the computer crime law and efforts to keep companies accountable for data collection. Over the past decade, EFF has expanded its influence to become the core force in shaping debates about privacy, security and digital freedom.
In an interview with Wired, Cohen reflects on EFF’s basic encryption victory, its unfinished battle National Security Agency (NSA) surveillanceand organize the work of protecting independent security researchers. She talks about changes in power between companies and governments, promoting stronger state-level privacy laws and the growing risks posed by artificial intelligence.
Despite resigning from leadership, Cohen told Wired that she plans to continue to actively participate in the fight against mass surveillance and government secrecy. She said she was “more like a warrior than a manager” and said her intention was to return to the frontline to advocate. She also works on the upcoming books, Privacy Guardianshe hopes to inspire a new generation of digital rights advocates next spring.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Wired: Tell us about the battles you have won, and the battles that are still not completed 25 years later.
Cindy Cohn: Our early struggle to release encryption from government regulations still stands out as it lays the foundation for potentially secure internet. We are still working to make this promise a reality, but we are different from where we lose our battle. Encryption protects anyone who buys anything online, who uses signals to become a whistleblower or reporter, or who just wants privacy and use regular people WhatsApp or signal. Even the backend certification authorities provided by Let’s Encrypt (make sure you’re going to the banking website when you think you’re going to the bank) are possible due to encryption. If we don’t win the battle, these are risky. I think even if the battle is not over yet, victory is fundamental.
Our fight on the NSA and national security is still underway. Our challenge to NSA spy has not succeeded Jewel v NSAdespite the long arc of the case and the accompanying legislative struggle, we managed to capture a lot of what the NSA started to do after 9/11.
