Advertise on podcast: EFFecting Change

Voting is a right. But voting records are highly sensitive. Once you cast your vote, how does the technology in the voting booth and the policy of the country protect voting access and democracy? For decades, advocates have fought for strong cybersecurity standards at polling places and fought in court to protect the privacy of voting records. As we head into the height of election season, join EFF's Hayley Tsukayama and Adam Schwartz, along with Mark Lindeman of Verified Voting, Derek Tisler of the Brennan Center for Justice, and Jonathan Mehta Stein of TechEquity to discuss the current state of election privacy and cybersecurity—find out more about what protects your vote after you submit your ballot.  You can RSVP to future EFF livestreams at eff.org/ECUpdates.

Freedom, openness, interoperability, and the ability to connect without a single gatekeeper defined the internet's core promise 25 years ago. Today, most of our online life happens on centralized platforms that control our data, shape our experiences, and set the rules for communication. This monopolization brings real risks: digital surveillance, censorship, and a loss of user agency. The fediverse offers a different model. Instead of a single platform, it’s a network of independent, interoperable services that connect using open protocols like ActivityPub. Like email, people can choose different providers yet still communicate across the network. Users can build online spaces that reflect their communities’ needs and values. Organizations can host their own services or partner with trusted providers, gaining control over their data, reducing reliance on corporate platforms, and fostering more localized approaches to online community. Join Babette Ngene and Rory Mir of EFF, in conversation with renowned PIT technologist Bruce Schneier, and Social Web Foundation Executive Director Mallory Knodel about what the Fediverse can and cannot offer users. Rather than asking if decentralized platforms can replace today's dominant social networks, we'll focus on a deeper question: What would it take to build an internet where people and communities have real choices about participation, data control, and governance of their digital spaces?  You can RSVP to future EFF livestreams at eff.org/ECUpdates.

Nicole Ozer and Cory Doctorow in conversation on AI, tackling what needs to happen now to ensure AI actually works for everyone, not just those in power. The most important thing about a technology isn't just what it does: it's who it does it for and who it does it to. AI can help or harm people, and EFF was created to make sure it helps. We are at a critical juncture to ensure that AI is developed and used in ways that respect fundamental rights and works for those who build it, use it, and are affected by it. Sarah Hamid introduces the conversation between Nicole Ozer and Cory Doctorow, followed by a live Q&A towards the end of the episode. You can RSVP to future EFF livestreams at eff.org/ECUpdates.

Owning something should mean more than just bragging rights and a receipt. Corporations are making it harder for you to repair the devices and products you already own, and forcing you to pay them again for repairs and replacements you don't actually need. It costs consumers millions worldwide, sends tons of perfectly fixable items to landfills, and hands corporations (ahem might we say big tech) control over your property. Listen to the conversation featuring Corynne McSherry and Hayley Tsukayama of EFF along with Adam Savage and Kyle Wiens, CEO of iFixit, to dive into how manufacturers lock you out of the stuff you own, how the Right to Repair movement is fighting back, and what you can do to take back control of your devices. You'll also hear a live Q&A towards the end of the episode.

LGBTQ+ communities are facing an escalating wave of censorship and targeted surveillance, but we can push back through mutual solidarity. Join us to learn how safer virtual spaces get built, how platform policies and government pressure are reshaping the digital landscape, and what platform accountability actually looks like. Our panel will share ideas for direct action and concrete strategies you can bring back to your community. Whether you’re an activist, an ally, or just paying attention, this conversation is for you. Listen to this livestream that was followed by Q&A. -------------------------------------------------  For more information about upcoming livestreams, visit https://eff.org/EFFectingChange -------------------------------------------------  EFF defends your privacy and free expression because technology should serve all people, not just the powerful. We’re a nonprofit powered by members, and we need you in this fight: https://eff.org/supportchange