2015 Annual Report

was founded in 1990 to protect the rights of technology users, a mission that expands dramatically as digital devices and networks transform modern life and culture. With over 25,000 dues-paying members around the world and a social media reach of well over 1 million followers across different social networks, EFF engages directly with digital users worldwide and provides leadership on cutting-edge issues of free expression, privacy, and human rights.

Our annual report features reflections from several EFF staff members about some of our most significant efforts, as well as financial information for the fiscal year ending June 2015. To learn more, read our
Year in Review series.

A WORD FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CINDY COHN

2015 was a year of big transitions at EFF. After 15 years as EFF’s Legal Director, I took on the role of Executive Director last April, stepping into Shari Steele’s shoes. Over the past year, I have found myself overwhelmed by support…

Milestones in Digital Rights


TECH

We made it easier than ever to create secure websites with Let’s Encrypt.

We debuted Privacy Badger, the best cookie-eater around.

We launched Panopticlick 2.0 to show you your online fingerprint.



ACTIVISM

We led the charge for stronger oversight of NSA surveillance.

We helped our global partners launch Who Has Your Back around the world.

We explained surveillance tech being used in your neighborhood with Street Level Surveillance.



LAW

We fought for government transparency and your right to privacy.

We worked to secure legal protections for your data.

We defended your right to tinker with the DMCA exemption victories.


TECH

We build tools to increase the security, privacy, and censorship resistance of Internet protocols and delve into the technical details of the software and services that increasingly affect our digital rights.

Let’s Encrypt

A free, automated, and open certificate authority (CA), run for the public’s benefit, puts a secure Internet within reach.

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Privacy Badger

Our browser extension, which automatically blocks hidden trackers that would otherwise spy on your web browsing habits, leaves beta.

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Panopticlick

The latest version of our tracking and fingerprinting detection tool includes new tests, updating its ability to uniquely identify browsers with current techniques.

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HTTPS Everywhere: 2+ million active installs
Privacy Badger:500,000+ active installs
1+ million certificates issued through Let's Encrypt

ACTIVISM

We inform the press and public about digital rights issues and provide meaningful avenues for change, distributing tools and techniques to protect essential freedoms worldwide.

USA Freedom

After more than two years of work in the wake of the Snowden revelations, this bill’s passage marks the first significant reform on NSA surveillance in over 30 years.

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Who Has Your Back Goes International

Our yearly report—which documents the practices of major Internet companies and service providers, judges their publicly available policies, and highlights best practices—goes global.

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Street Level Surveillance

Our new web portal is loaded with comprehensive, easy-to-access information on police spying tools like license plate readers, biometric collection devices, and “Stingrays.”

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100,000+ signatures to Save Crypto
Surveillance Self-Defense: 11 languages
280,000 Effector subscribers

LAW

We defend digital rights through impact litigation, “friend of the court” participation in pivotal US court cases, policy analysis, and answering questions about technology law for the press and public.

National Security Letter Cases

EFF fights unconstitutional gag orders on behalf of clients forced to remain anonymous.

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Save Podcasting

EFF successfully challenged the bogus podcasting patent owned by Personal Audio LLC.

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California Electronic Communications Privacy Act

California is now the largest state to adopt digital privacy protections including both the content of messages and location data.

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DMCA Exemptions

In the U.S. Copyright Office’s latest triennial rulemaking, EFF requested—and secured—6 anti-circumvention exemptions in 4 different categories.

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Net Neutrality

Title II reclassification drew bright-line rules to protect the open Internet.

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6 Supreme Court briefs filed
5 submissions to the USPTO
3 active court cases against the NSA

Financial Report

Contributions from more than 25,000 dues-paying members from around the world form the backbone of the Electronic Frontier Foundation’s financial support.

PRESS MENTIONS

News outlets around the world count on EFF’s expertise on the issues of the day. To read more about EFF in the news, see our press mentions.

These news organizations have refered to EFF's expertise.

THANK YOU

For 25 years, members have joined EFF to defend freedom of expression, protect encryption, battle with patent trolls, stand up for the freedom to tinker, and so much more. Because of you, our values live in the law, in code, and in the way we defeat threats and champion progress. Whether in the courts, in the streets, or appearing before Congress, we’re proud and humbled by our members’ passion for freedom and for the future that ought to be. Thank you.