Issues: Privacy

20170402_rev01 · COMPARED WITH 20170311_rev01 · ARCHIVE SNAPSHOT, DATE APPROXIMATE

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1**New technologies are radically advancing our freedoms, but they
2are also enabling unparalleled invasions of privacy.** National and
3international laws have yet to catch up with the evolving need for
4privacy that comes with new digital technologies. Respect for
5individuals' autonomy, anonymous speech, and the right to free
6association must be balanced against legitimate concerns like law
7enforcement. EFF fights in the courts and Congress to extend your
8privacy rights into the digital world, and works with partners around
9the globe to support the development of privacy-protecting
10technologies.
1**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.
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12Your cell phone helps you keep in touch with friends and family,
13but it also makes it easier for security agencies to track your
14location.
3Your cell phone helps you keep in touch with friends and family, but it also makes it easier for security agencies to track your location.
154
16Your Web searches about sensitive medical information might seem a
17secret between you and your search engine, but companies like Google
18are creating a treasure trove of personal information by logging your
19online activities, and making it potentially available to any party
20wielding enough cash or a subpoena.
5Your 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.
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22And the next time you try to board a plane, watch out-you might
23be turned away after being mistakenly placed on a government watch
24list, or be forced to open your email in the security line.
7And 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.
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26Several governments have also chosen to use malware to engage in
27extra-legal spying or system sabotage for dissidents or non-citizens,
28all in the name of "national security."
9Several 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."
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30As privacy needs evolve, so too should our regulatory regimes.
31National governments must put legal checks in place to prevent abuse
32of state powers, and international bodies need to consider how a
33changing technological environment shapes security agencies' best
34practices. Above all, we need to respect the rights of autonomy,
35anonymity, association, and expression that privacy makes possible,
36while also taking into account legitimate law enforcement concerns.
11As 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.
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38Read our work on privacy issues below, and join EFF to help support
39our efforts.
13Read our work on privacy issues below, and join EFF to help support our efforts.
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41**For information about the law and technology of government
42surveillance in the United States check out EFF's [Surveillance
43Self-Defense](http://ssd.eff.org/) project.**
15**For information about the law and technology of government surveillance in the United States check out EFF's [Surveillance Self-Defense](http://ssd.eff.org/) project.**