Deeplinks

The real test of whether you have rights is not what the law says: it's what happens when you try to exercise them. For too many bloggers and technologist around the world, the price of using the Net in innovative, legitimate ways, has been jail. Some of the cases of imprisonment around the world that we've tracked the most closely were freed in 2015, but others continue to languish in need of our support.

Zone 9 bloggers freed in Ethiopia

There's been one undeniably happy ending for this year even if it is for a tale that should never have had to have beeen told.

Congress took action in 2015 to address privacy and transparency, but state legislatures emerged as the nation’s leaders for policy innovation. From Virginia to California, states adopted new policies to reclaim digital privacy, advance government transparency, and protect free expression. These new laws both protect residents of these states, and also provide models for other jurisdictions to emulate.

Over the course of 2015, EFF and our grassroots supporters helped secure a series of important victories for privacy and transparency in California and Virginia, while enduring a disappointing setback in Florida undermining privacy and freedom of expression.

California adopts groundbreaking protections for privacy, transparency

Corporations that make digital devices and software used by millions around the world for work, play and school had a spotty record of protecting that data in 2015. Because companies are responsible for safeguarding intensely private customer information, it’s important that companies do better. There were bright spots—in June our annual Who Has Your Back?  report showed that many major technology companies are adopting best practices around transparency and protecting user data when the government comes knocking. Over one-third of the companies we ranked, including Apple, Dropbox and Yahoo, earned stars in every category we rank—an encouraging sign.