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Age Verification is a Privacy Nightmare

28 May 2026 at 18:37

In the rush to block young people from certain parts of the internet, lawmakers are creating a privacy and security nightmare for everyone. This scenario is already playing out globally. Help us stop it and keep the web open and accessible for all.

JOIN EFF

Protect the web for everyone

Even with the best intentions, every online age verification scheme has the same result: users are forced to reveal sensitive personal information to third parties simply to access the web. Once that valuable data is centralized, it becomes an immediate target for leaks, hacks, and misuse. This isn’t hypothetical: it has already happened several times.

By age gating the web, we serve up a honeypot of private info ripe for bad actors. But you can help us stop this when you join EFF.

A person wears an EFF Claw Back member t-shirt on the left. A person on the right wears a black sweatshirt with the Privacy Badger mascot on the chest.

Support digital rights in EFF's new Claw Back member t-shirt and Privacy Badger Crewneck.

Thanks to our members, EFF is on the front lines fighting against online age gating and identity verification online. We’re working with lawmakers to pass better policies, educating the public, and fighting the wildfire of age verification proposals around the world. Now all we need is you.

🐝 No, It’s Not a Bug

We all want young people to be safe online, but we don’t need to trade everyone's digital rights to achieve it. These new restrictive mandates are used to justify government-led censorship and expanded surveillance. That's no accident.

Whether you trust today’s lawmakers or not, handing anyone keys to new forms of censorship and surveillance is a serious risk. Because history shows us that these powers are always abused. It’s time to demand better.

Join EFF today

Help us claw back your privacy

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EFF is a member-supported U.S. 501(c)(3) organization. We've received top ratings from the nonprofit watchdog Charity Navigator since 2013! Your donation is tax-deductible as allowed by law.

Help EFF Solve an Issue That's Bigger than Creepy Ads

13 May 2026 at 19:10

Millions of people around the world use EFF's Privacy Badger. This browser extension blocks the hidden trackers that twist your web browsing into a commodity for Big Tech, advertisers, scammers, and data brokers. But did you know that we’re trying to solve an issue that’s even bigger than creepy ads and user profiling? You can help.

JOIN EFF

Online tracking isn't just creepy and unethical. It also enables government surveillance. Widespread commercial surveillance and weak privacy laws allow data brokers to harvest your data and sell it to law enforcement agencies including the FBI, CBP, and ICE. The government exploits this system to buy sensitive information about you that they would ordinarily need a warrant to collect, like your location over time

With your help, EFF is fighting back. Our team is working to enact stronger laws to uphold your privacy. We’re advocating for consumer rights in the courts. We’re investigating how these technologies affect our communities. And we’re cutting off surveillance advertising at the source with tools like Privacy Badger for everyone. You can support this work as an EFF member.

End Mass Surveillance

Privacy is a human right because it gives you a fundamental measure of security and freedom. That is why we at EFF focus on your ability to have private conversations and interact with the world using technologies that you choose. But when tools that many of us must rely on serve corporate surveillance, they also feed government surveillance. We owe it to ourselves to fight the mass spying used to control and intimidate people. Let’s do this.

A person wearing a black sweatshirt with an embroidered Privacy Badger mascot on the chest over the characters for ‘privacy” in Traditional Chinese.

For a limited time, you can join EFF as a monthly or one-time donor and pick up a new Privacy Badger Crewneck sweatshirt. The embroidered Privacy Badger mascot appears above Traditional Chinese for "privacy” because human rights are universal.

You can also get a set of puffy stickers as a token of thanks. Our little Ghostie protects privacy in Arabic, English, Japanese, Persian, Russian, and Spanish.

Claw Back! This year’s member t-shirt is hot off the press featuring an orange cat swatting at the street-level surveillance equipment multiplying in our communities. You might empathize with him, but there’s a better way. Let’s end the law enforcement contracts, harmful practices, and twisted logic that enable mass spying in the first place.

You can support our mission for technology in the public interest today. Join the movement and become an EFF member.

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EFF is a member-supported U.S. 501(c)(3) organization. We've received top ratings from the nonprofit watchdog Charity Navigator since 2013! Your donation is tax-deductible as allowed by law.

Shut Down Turnkey Totalitarianism

5 May 2026 at 09:11

UPDATE: EFF's spring membership drive ends this week! Join us today to support privacy and free expression for all.

William Binney, the NSA surveillance architect-turned-whistleblower, called it the "turnkey totalitarian state." Whoever sits in power gains access to a boundless surveillance empire that scorns privacy and crushes dissent. Politicians will come and go, but you can help us claw the tools of oppression out of government hands.

JOIN EFF

We must stand strong to uphold your privacy and free expression as democratic principles. With members around the world, EFF is empowered to use its trusted voice and formidable advocacy to protect your rights online. Whether giving monthly or one-time donations, members have helped EFF:

  • Sue to stop warrantless searches of Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) records, which reveal millions of drivers’ private habits, movements, and associations.

  • Launch Rayhunter, an open source tool that empowers you to help search out cell-site simulators capable of tracking the movements of protestors, journalists, and more.

  • Help journalists see through the spin of "copaganda" by breaking down how policing technology companies often market their tools with misleading claims with our Selling Safety report.

Right now, U.S. Congress is on the edge of renewing the international mass spying program known as Section 702, affecting millions. EFF is rallying to cut through the politics and give ordinary people a chance to stop this oppressive surveillance. It’s only possible with help from supporters like you, so join EFF today.

The New EFF Member Gear

Two people wear EFF Claw Back member t-shirts. The front shows a cat swatting at spy cameras and the back says “Mass Surveillance” with red claw marks through it.

Get this year’s new member t-shirt when you join EFF. Aptly titled "Claw Back," the design features an orange boy swatting at the street-level surveillance equipment multiplying in our communities. You might empathize with him, but there’s a better way. Let’s end the law enforcement contracts, harmful practices, and twisted logic that enable mass spying in the first place.

Puffy privacy Ghostie stickers on a keyboard

You can also get brand new set of eleven soft and supple polyglot puffy stickers as a token of thanks. Whether you're a kid or a kid at heart, these nostalgic stickers are perfect for digital devices, lunchboxes, and notebooks alike. Our little Ghostie protects privacy in six languages: Arabic, English, Japanese, Persian, Russian, and Spanish.

Person wearing a black crewneck sweater with the Privacy Badger logo on the chest

And for a limited time, get a Privacy Badger Crewneck sweatshirt to help you browse the web with confidence. It features an embroidered Privacy Badger mascot above Traditional Chinese for "privacy” because human rights are universal. Appearing in 30 languages, millions of people around the world use Privacy Badger, EFF's free browser extention that blocks hidden trackers that twist your web browsing into a commodity for Big Tech, advertisers, scammers, and data brokers.

Privacy is a human right because it gives you a fundamental measure of security and freedom. We owe it to ourselves to fight the mass surveillance used to control and intimidate people. Let’s do this. Join EFF today with a monthly donation or one-time donation and help claw back your privacy.

____________________

EFF is a member-supported U.S. 501(c)(3) organization. We've received top ratings from the nonprofit watchdog Charity Navigator since 2013! Your donation is tax-deductible as allowed by law.

Triple Header for Privacy’s Defender in New York

4 April 2026 at 01:15

You’re invited on a journey inside the privacy battles that shaped the internet. EFF’s Executive Director Cindy Cohn has tangled with the feds, fought for your data security, and argued before judges to protect our access to science and knowledge on the internet.

Join Cindy at three events in New York discussing her bestselling new book: Privacy's Defender: My Thirty-Year Fight Against Digital Surveillance, on sale now. All proceeds from the book benefit EFF. Find the full event details below, and RSVP to let us know if you can make it.

April 20 - With Women in Security and Privacy (WISP)

Join Women in Security and Privacy (WISP) and EFF for a conversation featuring American University Senior Professorial Lecturer Chelsea Horne and EFF Executive Director Cindy Cohn as they dive into data security, Federal access to data, and your digital rights.


Privacy's Defender with WISP
Kennedys
22 Vanderbilt Avenue, Suite 2400, New York, NY 10017
Monday, April 20, 2026
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
REGISTER NOW


April 21 - With Julie Samuels at Civic Hall

Join Tech:NYC President and CEO Julie Samuels, in conversation with EFF Executive Director Cindy Cohn for a discussion about Cindy's work, her new book, and what we're all wondering: Can have private conversations if we live our lives online?


Privacy's Defender at Civic Hall
Civic Hall
124 E 14th St, New York, NY 10003
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
REGISTER NOW


April 23 - With Anil Dash at Brooklyn Public Library

Join antitech Principal & Cofounder Anil Dash, in conversation with EFF Executive Director Cindy Cohn to discuss Cindy's new book: Privacy's Defender: My Thirty-Year Fight Against Digital Surveillance.


Privacy's Defender at Brooklyn Public Library
Brooklyn Public Library - Central Library, Info Commons Lab
10 Grand Army Plz 1st floor, Brooklyn, NY 11238
Thursday, April 23, 2026
6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
REGISTER NOW


"Privacy’s Defender is a compelling account of a life well lived and an inspiring call to action for the next generation of civil liberties champions."
~Edward Snowden, whistleblower; author of Permanent Record

Can't make it? Look for Cindy at a city (or web connection) near you! Find the latest tour dates on the Privacy’s Defender hub or follow EFF for more.

Part memoir and part legal history for the general reader, Privacy’s Defender is a compelling testament to just how much privacy and free expression matter in our efforts to combat authoritarianism, grow democracy, and strengthen human rights. Thank you for being a part of that fight.

Want to support the cause and get a copy of the new book? New or renewing EFF members can preorder one as their annual gift!

Double Shot of Privacy's Defender in D.C.

3 April 2026 at 17:58

You’re invited on a journey inside the privacy battles that shaped the internet. EFF’s Executive Director Cindy Cohn has tangled with the feds, fought for your data security, and argued before judges to protect our access to science and knowledge on the internet.

Join Cindy at two events in Washingtion, D.C. on April 13 and 14 discussing her new book: Privacy's Defender: My Thirty-Year Fight Against Digital Surveillance, on sale now. All proceeds from the book benefit EFF. Find the full event details below, and RSVP to let us know if you can make it.

April 13 - With Gigi Sohn at Busboys & Poets

Join longtime public advocate for universal, open and affordable networks Gigi Sohn, in conversation with EFF Executive Director Cindy Cohn for a discussion about Cindy's work, her new book, and what we're all wondering: Can have private conversations if we live our lives online?

Privacy's Defender at Busboys & Poets
Busboys & Poets - 14th & V
2021 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
Monday, April 13, 2026
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

Register Now

April 14 - With Women in Security and Privacy (WISP)

Join Women in Security and Privacy (WISP) and EFF for a conversation featuring American University Senior Professorial Lecturer Chelsea Horne and EFF Executive Director Cindy Cohn as they dive into data security, Federal access to data, and your digital rights. 

Privacy's Defender with WISP
True Reformer Building - Lankford Auditorium
1200 U St NW, Washington, DC 20009
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
6:00 pm to 8:30 pm

REGISTER NOW

"Privacy’s Defender is a compelling account of a life well lived and an inspiring call to action for the next generation of civil liberties champions."

~Edward Snowden, whistleblower; author of Permanent Record

Can't make it? Look for Cindy at a city (or web connection) near you! Find the latest tour dates on the Privacy’s Defender hub or follow EFF for more.

Part memoir and part legal history for the general reader, Privacy’s Defender is a compelling testament to just how much privacy and free expression matter in our efforts to combat authoritarianism, grow democracy, and strengthen human rights. Thank you for being a part of that fight.

Want to support the cause and get a copy of the new book? New or renewing EFF members can preorder one as their annual gift!

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