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EFFector Vol. 37, No. 5 Wednesday, May 28, 2025
[email protected]
A Publication of the Electronic Frontier Foundation
ISSN 1062-9424
effector: n, Computer Sci. A device for producing a
desired change.
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In our 822nd issue:
* The FCC Must Reject Efforts to Lock Up Public Airwaves
A proposal being championed by the National Association of Broadcasters would
effectively privatize the public airwaves in the U.S., allowing broadcasters
to encrypt over-the-air programming. To watch those encrypted shows, viewers
would need to buy a new TV with built-in DRM keys. It’s a tax on American
TV viewers, forcing you to buy a new TV so you can continue to access a
public resource you already own.
Read more: [link removed]
* The Kids Online Safety Act Will Make the Internet Worse for Everyone
The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) is back in the Senate. Sponsors are
claiming—again—that the latest version won’t censor online content. It
isn’t true. This bill still sets up a censorship regime disguised as a
“duty of care,” and it will do what previous versions threatened:
suppress lawful, important speech online, especially for young people.
Read more: [link removed]
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EFF Updates
* How Signal, WhatsApp, Apple, and Google Handle Encrypted Chat Backups
Encrypted chat apps like Signal and WhatsApp are one of the best ways to keep
your digital conversations as private as possible. But if you’re not
careful with how those conversations are backed up, you can accidentally
undermine your privacy. With that in mind, let's take a look at how several
of the most popular chat apps handle backups, and what options you may have
to strengthen the security of those backups.
[link removed]
* Montana Becomes First State to Close the Law Enforcement Data Broker Loophole
EFF applauds Montana for being the first state to close the data broker
loophole and show the country that the Fourth Amendment is not for sale. This
is a very good step in the right direction because right now, across the
country, law enforcement routinely purchases information on individuals from
data brokers it would otherwise need a warrant to obtain.
[link removed]
* The U.S. Copyright Office’s Draft Report on AI Training Errs on Fair Use
Released amidst a set of controversial job terminations, the Copyright
Office’s report covers a wide range of issues with varying degrees of
nuance. But on the core legal question—whether using copyrighted works to
train GenAI is a fair use—it stumbles badly. The report misapplies
long-settled fair use principles and ultimately puts a thumb on the scale in
favor of copyright owners at the expense of creativity and innovation.
[link removed]
* In Memoriam: John L. Young, Cryptome Co-Founder
John was one of the early, under-recognized heroes of the digital age. He not
only saw the promise of digital technology to help democratize access to
information, he brought that idea into being and nurtured it for many years.
We will miss him and his unswerving commitment to the public’s right to
know.
[link removed]
* Our ‘How to Fix the Internet’ Podcast Returns
EFF’s “How to Fix the Internet” is back for its sixth season! Check out
our first two episodes, featuring conversations with Molly White about
working toward a human-centered internet and Kate Bertash of the Digital
Defense Fund on reclaiming digital and bodily autonomy.
[link removed]
* Audio Version of EFFector Newsletter
Here’s an audio version of EFFector. We hope you enjoy it!
[link removed]
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Announcements
* EFF's 17th Annual Cyberlaw Trivia Night
On Thursday, June 5th, the Bay Area's best legal minds gather in support of
online freedom as we celebrate our 17th Annual Cyberlaw Trivia Night! EFF’s
crack team of legal experts will challenge participants to delve into their
knowledge of obscure tech law minutiae. Register your team today!
[link removed]
* EFF at FreedomFest
EFF is excited to be at FreedomFest for the first time in Palm Springs, CA
June 11-14! If you're attending the event, be sure to stop by EFF's table in
the exhibitor area where we'll be spreading the word about our efforts to
protect digital privacy and free expression online.
[link removed]
* EFFecting Change: Pride in Digital Freedom
This Pride season, join our panel of experts on June 12 as they explore how
emerging laws and platform policies affect the digital privacy and free
expression rights of the LGBT+ community, and how this echoes the experience
of marginalized people across the world.
[link removed]
* EFF at Black Hat USA
We're also excited to be back in Las Vegas for Black Hat USA this August! EFF
supporters can get discounts on various tickets by using code "EFF" when
registering online. See you there!
[link removed]
* Corporate Giving and Sponsorships
EFF thanks the organizations who support our work. Learn how your team can
join the fight for digital rights at eff.org/thanks [1].
[1] [link removed]
[link removed]
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Job Openings
* Policy and Research Staff Technologist
EFF is seeking a Policy and Research Staff Technologist to join our Public
Interest Technology team defending encryption, outwitting censors and
trackers, and leading the way toward a better digital future.
[link removed]
* Legal Interns
Applications are now open for the Fall 2025 Legal Intern Class, with a
deadline of June 30. EFF’s legal internships provide law students with a
unique opportunity to develop valuable skills and real-world experience while
working with a nationally recognized public interest law firm.
[link removed]
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MiniLinks
- Trump signs TAKE IT DOWN law meant to stop revenge porn (The Register)
EFF’s India McKinney explained to The Register how the recently passed TAKE
IT DOWN Act's flawed notice-and-takedown system poses grave threats to
freedom of speech, including LGBTQ+ content and criticism of government
officials, online.
[link removed]
- Attorneys general urge Congress to reject ‘irresponsible’ state AI law moratorium (StateScoop)
EFF’s Hayley Tsukayama detailed our opposition to a 10-year preemption of
state AI regulation included in the U.S. House’s budget reconciliation
bill. “State lawmakers must be able to react to emerging issues,” she
wrote. “EFF supports some bills to regulate AI and opposes others. But
stopping states from acting at all puts a heavy thumb on the scale in favor
of companies.”
[link removed]
- Why console makers can legally brick your game console (Ars Technica)
"Unfortunately, 'bricking' personal devices to limit users’ rights and
control their behavior is nothing new," EFF's Tori Noble told Ars Technica.
"Companies should not use EULAs to strip people of rights that we normally
associate with ownership, like the right to tinker with or modify their own
personal devices."
[link removed]
- Meta hypes AI friends as social media’s future, but users want real connections (Ars Technica)
EFF’s Cory Doctorow shared his vision for a more open social media
ecosystem, one where outside developers could modify social media apps
without fear of legal attacks and platforms are “more incentivized to
behave themselves than they are to cheat."
[link removed]
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-------- SUPPORTED BY DONORS
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Our members make it possible for EFF to bring legal and technological
expertise into crucial battles about online rights. Whether defending free
speech online or challenging unconstitutional surveillance, your
participation makes a difference. Every donation gives technology users who
value freedom online a stronger voice and more formidable advocate. Check out
our FAQ for information on memberships, donations, shop orders, corporate
giving, matching gifts, and other ways to give.
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If you aren't already, please consider becoming an EFF member today.
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* Administrivia
Editor:
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EFFector is published by:
The Electronic Frontier Foundation
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Membership & donation queries:
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Reproduction of this publication in electronic media is
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