Cindy Cohn Is Leaving the EFF, but Not the Fight for Digital Rights

"Cohn first rose to prominence as lead counsel in Bernstein v. Department of Justice, the 1990s case that overturned federal restrictions on publishing encryption code. As EFF's legal director and later executive director, she guided the group through legal challenges to government surveillance, reforms to computer crime laws, and efforts to hold corporations accountable for data collection. Over the past decade, EFF has expanded its influence, becoming a central force in shaping the debate over privacy, security, and digital freedom."

"Though stepping down from leadership, Cohn tells WIRED she plans to remain active in the fight against mass surveillance and government secrecy. Describing herself as "more of a warrior than a manager," she says her intent is to return to frontline advocacy. She is also at work on a forthcoming book, Privacy's Defender, due out next spring, which she hopes will inspire a new generation of digital rights advocates."

Cindy Cohn is stepping down as executive director of the Electronic Frontier Foundation later this year after 25 years with the organization. Cohn led Bernstein v. Department of Justice, helping overturn federal restrictions on publishing encryption code, and later guided EFF through legal battles over government surveillance, reforms to computer crime laws, and efforts to hold corporations accountable for data collection. EFF has expanded its influence in debates over privacy, security, and digital freedom. Cohn emphasized unfinished fights against NSA surveillance, protection of independent security researchers, concerns about corporate-government power shifts, state privacy law efforts, and growing AI risks. She intends to return to frontline advocacy and is writing Privacy's Defender.

Read at WIRED