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Journalists rely on strong encryption to protect confidential sources and newsgathering materials.
Journalists use encrypted services to keep information secure and private.
But lawmakers are increasingly attacking encryption. Bills that would require backdoors so law enforcement can access encrypted communications or that would discourage online services from offering strong encryption could have dire impacts on journalists and sources.
Encryption is under threat. We must defend it.
Featured Items
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Encryption should be part of every journalist’s toolkit
Journalists explain how encryption promotes press freedom by keeping their sources and information secure.
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Meet our new website
This week, Freedom of the Press Foundation (FPF) unveiled a new website that reflects our commitment to action-based advocacy for press freedom.
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Worried about China? Try strengthening encryption, not silencing TikTok
On Global Encryption Day, we urge Congress to get serious about protecting Americans’ privacy, and cut out the censorial sideshows.
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‘Cop City’ indictment threatens press freedom
Reckless charges cite everything from publishing zines to holding press conferences as components of protesters' purported conspiracy
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Outrageous raid in Kansas underscores need for newsroom encryption
Newsrooms must adapt to the new reality that police might ignore the law and Constitution and seize their equipment
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Undead EARN IT Act poses newly urgent threat to press freedom
After public backlash led to a major defeat in 2020, lawmakers are now attempting to rush the anti-privacy legislation through the Senate.
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There’s no right time for Apple’s privacy-invading tech features
Apple announced Friday that it would postpone its planned roll-out of user device surveillance technology that had come under heavy fire from the privacy and civil liberties community. It should drop the plans entirely.
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Apple’s device surveillance plan is a threat to user privacy — and press freedom
The backlash from privacy and human rights advocates to Apple's new plan this month for scanning photos on user devices to detect known child sexual abuse images has been loud and nearly unanimous. The tech raises press freedom problems, too.
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Onions on the side: Tracking Tor availability for reader privacy on major news sites
“Onion services,” a technology offered by Tor to ensure users can securely and privately visit particular websites, can provide a major step forward for readers who rely on the Tor network for its privacy and censorship-resistance properties.
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The amended EARN IT Act remains a threat to press freedom
The full Senate is expected to vote on the controversial EARN IT Act in the coming days, after unanimous approval from the Judiciary Committee on July 2. EARN IT would open the door to criminalizing encryption protections and increase censorship online, posing a significant threat to press freedom and whistleblowers.