Signal and Noise: The New Administration, Privacy, and Our Digital Rights with Cindy Cohn of Electronic Frontier Foundation
Digital rights, privacy, and government policies have been a hot topic over the past month as the Trump Administration comes on board. But the truth is, data protection and safeguarding our freedoms are not partisan issues. Regardless of what party is in power, we need to be vigilant about our digital rights and never give up the fight to protect them.
About Our Guest
Cindy Cohn, Executive Director of The Electronic Frontier Foundation, discusses the evolving landscape of digital rights, privacy, and government policies impacting technology. With a career dedicated to defending civil liberties in the digital age, Cindy shares insights on encryption, AI governance, surveillance capitalism, and the role of regulatory frameworks in shaping the future of the internet.
Episode Highlights:
- (03:16) Cindy’s path to digital rights advocacy and the influence of early internet pioneers.
- (07:08) The Electronic Frontier Foundation’s mission to protect civil liberties online.
- (12:52) The dangers of surveillance capitalism and the need for privacy-first regulations.
- (19:51) Tensions between big tech CEOs and their workforces over privacy and ethics.
- (22:23) The implications of government funding cuts on internet privacy tools.
- (29:58) The challenges of aligning US and international digital policies.
- (32:29) Continuing privacy challenges regardless of different administrations.
- (43:21) The need for comprehensive privacy protections so users can enjoy technology without surveillance risks.