Dear Friend of Digital Freedom,

I file Freedom of Information Act requests so frequently, I’ve started to use the law as a verb. As EFF’s investigative researcher, I foia the U.S. federal government. I foia state agencies. I foia cities and counties—all to uncover censorship, surveillance, and institutional misconduct. EFF’s lawyers use the data to ensure those in power comply with the law. But we need your help as an EFF supporter to press forward and keep the government accountable.

Recently EFF marked victories in public records lawsuits over AT&T’s massive telephone surveillance program, codenamed “Hemisphere.” In California, we filed a brief before the state’s highest court to successfully argue that government records on private employee accounts must be disclosed to the public. And we helped pass reforms to the federal Freedom of Information Act to further empower the public. EFF relies on your generosity to make these successes possible.

In the coming months, EFF will be back before the California Supreme Court in our years-long campaign to liberate Los Angeles’ automated license plate reader records. We’ll also expand our campaigns for greater transparency over police surveillance in state legislatures and local city councils.

Each year during Sunshine Week, we recognize that government transparency is key to a democratic society. Please donate to EFF today and help ensure accountability through openness.

Sincerely,

Dave Maass
EFF Activism Team

P.S. Make sure you also check out The Foilies, our annual “awards” recognizing the worst government responses to public records requests.