• International Privacy Conference in Brussels

    International Privacy Conference in Brussels

    The 40th International Conference of Data Protection and Privacy Commissioners will take place in Brussels, October 24-25. The EPIC Public Voice Fund will sponsor NGO participation.

    Learn more »

  • US NGOs Meet with Members of European Parliament

    US NGOs Meet with Members of European Parliament

    Claude Moreas, Chair of the Civil Liberties Committee ("LIBE") of the European Parliament, speaking with US NGOs at the Fund for Constitutional Government in Washington, DC. July 18, 2018.

  • US NGOs Meet with Members of European Parliament

    US NGOs Meet with Members of European Parliament

    Members of the Civil Liberties Committee ("LIBE") of the European Parliament, meeting with US NGOs at the Fund for Constitutional Government in Washington, DC. July 18, 2018.

  • EPIC  2018 Champions of Freedom Dinner

    The Future of Privacy in America after GDPR

    On June 6, 2018, EPIC hosted a discussion on the Future of Privacy in America after GDPR at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. Advocates from the U.S. and abroad joined us for this important discussion.

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  • EPIC 2018 Champions of Freedom Dinner

    EPIC 2018 Champions of Freedom Awards Dinner

    On June 6, 2018, EPIC hosted the 2018 Champions of Freedom Awards Dinner. EPIC honored Dr. Stephanie Perrin, Maine Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap, California Secretary of State Alex Padilla, and Dr. Peter Neumann. (phone credit: Jenifer Morris)

    Learn more »

  • EPIC 2018 Champions of Freedom Dinner

    EPIC 2018 Champions of Freedom Awards Dinner

    On June 6, 2018, EPIC hosted the 2018 Champions of Freedom Awards Dinner. EPIC honored Dr. Stephanie Perrin, Maine Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap, California Secretary of State Alex Padilla, and Dr. Peter Neumann. (phone credit: Jenifer Morris)

    Learn more »

  • EPIC 2018 Champions of Freedom Dinner

    EPIC 2018 Champions of Freedom Awards Dinner

    On June 6, 2018, EPIC hosted the 2018 Champions of Freedom Awards Dinner. EPIC honored Dr. Stephanie Perrin, Maine Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap, California Secretary of State Alex Padilla, and Dr. Peter Neumann. (phone credit: Jenifer Morris)

    Learn more »

  • EPIC 2018 Champions of Freedom Dinner

    EPIC 2018 Champions of Freedom Awards Dinner

    On June 6, 2018, EPIC hosted the 2018 Champions of Freedom Awards Dinner. EPIC honored Dr. Stephanie Perrin, Maine Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap, California Secretary of State Alex Padilla, and Dr. Peter Neumann. (phone credit: Jenifer Morris)

    Learn more »

  • EPIC 2018 Champions of Freedom Dinner

    EPIC 2018 Champions of Freedom Awards Dinner

    On June 6, 2018, EPIC hosted the 2018 Champions of Freedom Awards Dinner. EPIC honored Dr. Stephanie Perrin, Maine Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap, California Secretary of State Alex Padilla, and Dr. Peter Neumann. (phone credit: Jenifer Morris)

    Learn more »

  • EPIC 2018 Champions of Freedom Dinner

    EPIC 2018 Champions of Freedom Awards Dinner

    On June 6, 2018, EPIC hosted the 2018 Champions of Freedom Awards Dinner. EPIC honored Dr. Stephanie Perrin, Maine Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap, California Secretary of State Alex Padilla, and Dr. Peter Neumann. (phone credit: Jenifer Morris)

    Learn more »

  • EPIC 2018 Champions of Freedom Dinner

    EPIC 2018 Champions of Freedom Awards Dinner

    On June 6, 2018, EPIC hosted the 2018 Champions of Freedom Awards Dinner. EPIC honored Dr. Stephanie Perrin, Maine Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap, California Secretary of State Alex Padilla, and Dr. Peter Neumann. (phone credit: Jenifer Morris)

    Learn more »

  • Privacy Law Sourcebook

    Privacy Law Sourcebook

    The new European Union privacy law -- the "GDPR" -- is now central in the debate over the future of privacy. EPIC makes the complete text of the GDPR available in the Privacy Law Sourcebook.

    Order today »

  • Rotenberg Testifies in House

    In Congressional Testimony, EPIC Calls For Comprehensive Privacy Law, New Privacy Agency

    EPIC President Marc Rotenberg recently testified before the House Financial Services Committee. EPIC called for comprehensive data protection legislation and the creation of a federal data protection agency.

    Learn more »

  • EPIC 2018 International Privacy Champions

    EPIC 2018 International Privacy Champion Awards

    EPIC presented the 2018 International Privacy Champion Awards to Privacy International Director Gus Hosein and Professor Artemi Rallo at the Conference on Computers, Privacy, Data Protection in Brussels, Belgium.

  • Defend Privacy. Support EPIC.

    Defend Privacy. Support EPIC.

    EPIC is on the front lines of the major privacy and civil liberties debates. In 2018, EPIC will work to protect democratic institutions, promote algorithmic transparency, and defend the right to privacy. We need your support. And EPIC is a top-rated non-profit - Charity Navigator (Four Star) and Guidestar (Gold). Please donate to EPIC today.

    Defend Privacy. Support EPIC. »

Top News

California Bans Anonymous Bots

California Governor Jerry Brown recently signed two modern privacy laws, including a first in the nation law governing the security of the Internet of Things. SB327 sets baseline security standards for IoT devices. EPIC recently submitted comments to the Consumer Product Safety Commission recommending similar action. Governor Brown also signed a bill banning anonymous bots. The law makes it illegal to use a bot, or automated account, to mislead California residents or communicate without disclosing the identity of the actual operator. EPIC President Marc Rotenberg had earlier proposed that Asimov's Laws of Robotics be updated to require that robots reveal the basis of their decisions (Algorithmic Transparency) and that robots reveal their actual identity.


Intrusive Presidential Emergency Alert Scheduled for October 3 at 2:18 EDT

The Department of Homeland Security and FCC have rescheduled a controversial test that allows the President to suspend cell phone service and communicate directly with cell phone subscribers in the United States. The test message header is labelled "Presidential Alert" and will include the following text "THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed." Cell phone users cannot opt out of the test. The President has sole authority to determine when the alert will be activated. The test will use the same special tone and vibration as with alerts for Tornado Warnings and AMBER Alerts. It is unclear why the alert is designated a "Presidential Alert" or when it may be issued. In 2006, the Department of Homeland Security established a secret procedure - "SOP 303" - to suspend cell phone services. EPIC sued the agency after government officials disabled wireless service during a peaceful protest at a San Francisco metro station in 2011.


Government Report: Border Drones Lack Effective Privacy Safeguards

An Inspector General report has found that a federal agency failed to establish privacy safeguards for sensitive drone communications. Custom and Border Control did not complete a privacy threshold analysis and sidestepped review by the agency privacy office. According to the IG report, the CBP also collected and stored surveillance data that "remained unprotected for more than 2 years." Through a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit, EPIC obtained a related CBP directive on Unmanned Aircraft System Operations and Privacy. In a recent statement to Congress, EPIC highlighted the unique threat drones pose to privacy and said that the Congress should "establish drone privacy safeguards that limit the risk of public surveillance" before granting new authority to federal agencies.


EPIC Opposes State Department Inspection of Visa Applicants' Social Media and Communications Records »

Senate Committee Moves to Vote on Kavanaugh with White House Records on Mass Surveillance Still Secret »

Following Lax FTC Action, State AGs Fine Uber $148 Million in Data Breach Case »

Indian Supreme Court Imposes New Limits on National Identity System »

EPIC Opposes OMB FOIA Regs that Block Access to Public Information »

Following EPIC Petition, National Science Foundation Seeks Public Comment on AI Policy »

EPIC news Archive »

EPIC's Work

Open Government image

Open Government »

EPIC v. FTC: Seeking disclosure of Facebook assessments, reports, and related records required by the 2012 FTC Consent Order.

Appellate Advocacy image

Appellate Advocacy »

In re: OPM Data Security Breach Litigation: Whether the government's failure to safeguard sensitive personal data from a breach violated individuals' constitutional right to informational privacy and caused a cognizable injury under Article III.

US Capitol

EPIC Policy Project »

EPIC provides expertise to shape strong privacy and open government laws at both the state and federal level.

PrivacyNow!

Privacy Campaigns »

EPIC has launched a new project promoting PrivacyNow!, including updates to U.S. privacy laws.