Electronic Privacy Information Center

Electronic Privacy Information Center
AbbreviationEPIC
Formation1994; 30 years ago (1994)
Type501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
Purposeprivacy, freedom of expression, democratic values, open government
Location
Executive Director and President
Alan Butler[1]
Websiteepic.org Edit this at Wikidata

The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) is an independent nonprofit research center established in 1994 to protect privacy, freedom of expression, and democratic values in the information age. Based in Washington, D.C., their mission is to "secure the fundamental right to privacy in the digital age for all people through advocacy, research, and litigation."[2] EPIC believes that privacy is a fundamental right, the internet belongs to people who use it, and there's a responsible way to use technology.[2]

EPIC pursues a wide range of civil liberties, consumer protection, and human rights issues. EPIC has pursued several successful consumer privacy complaints with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) concerning Snapchat (faulty privacy technology),[3] WhatsApp (privacy policy after acquisition by Facebook),[4] Facebook (changes in user privacy settings),[5] Google (roll-out of Google Buzz),[6] Microsoft (Hailstorm log-in),[7] and Choicepoint (sale of personal information to identity thieves).[8] EPIC has also prevailed in significant Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) cases against the CIA,[9] the DHS,[10] the Department of Education,[11] the Federal Bureau of Investigation,[12] the National Security Agency (NSA),[13] the ODNI,[14] and the Transportation Security Administration.[15] EPIC has also filed many amicus curiae briefs on law and technology, including Riley v. California (2014), which concerne cell phone privacy. They have also litigated important privacy cases, including EPIC v. DHS (D.C. Cir. 2011), which led to the removal of the x-ray body scanners in US airports, and EPIC v. NSA (D.C. Cir. 2014), which led to the release of the NSA's formerly secret cybersecurity authority. Additionally, EPIC challenged the NSA's domestic surveillance program in a petition to the U.S. Supreme Court.[16] In re EPIC, (U.S. 2013) after the release of the "Verizon Order" in June 2013. One of EPIC's current cases concerns the obligation of the Federal Aviation Administration to establish privacy regulations prior to the deployment of commercial drones in the United States.

EPIC works closely with a distinguished advisory board, who have expertise in law, technology and public policy.

  1. ^ "Alan Butler".
  2. ^ a b "About Us - EPIC - Electronic Privacy Information Center". epic.org. Retrieved 2022-12-03.
  3. ^ Crook, Jordan (2014-05-08). "Snapchat Settles With FTC After Being Dishonest With Users About Privacy". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2024-08-16.
  4. ^ "FTC Tells Facebook it will have to honor Whatsapp's privacy promise; EPIC and CDD letters spur commission action". Center For Digital Democracy. 2014-04-10. Retrieved 2024-08-16.
  5. ^ Rotenberg, Marc; Verdi, John; Nguyen, Kimberly; Kaprove, Jared; Phillips, Matthew; McCall, Ginger (December 17, 2009). "Complaint, Request for Investigation, Injunction, and Other Relief". epic.org.
  6. ^ "Google, Inc., In the Matter of". Federal Trade Commission. 2011-03-30. Retrieved 2024-08-16.
  7. ^ "CNN.com - EPIC to protest Passport bundling with Windows XP - July 26, 2001". edition.cnn.com. Retrieved 2024-08-16.
  8. ^ "- IDENTITY THEFT AND DATA BROKER SERVICES". www.govinfo.gov. Retrieved 2024-08-16.
  9. ^ "What is - and isn't - in the report about the CIA and NYPD's "unique" relationship". MuckRock. 2013-07-01. Retrieved 2024-08-16.
  10. ^ "FOIA cases: EPIC v. DHS – FAST Program". epic.org. August 16, 2024.
  11. ^ "EPIC v. Education Department – Private Debt Collector Privacy Act Compliance". epic.org. August 16, 2024.
  12. ^ "EPIC presses FBI in lawsuit for details on biometric database – National Freedom of Information Coalition". Retrieved 2024-08-16.
  13. ^ "EPIC v. NSA – Cybersecurity Authority, Case No. 10-0196 (2010)". August 16, 2024.
  14. ^ Kyriakides, Eleni (January 9, 2017). "This letter is a request under the Freedom of Information Act ("FOIA"), 5 U.S.C. § 552, and is submitted on behalf of the Electronic Privacy Information Center ("EPIC") to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence ("ODNI")" (PDF). epic.org. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
  15. ^ "Electronic Privacy Information Center v. United States Transportation Security Administration | REPLY to opposition to motion re Cross MOTION for Summary Judgment Combine Cross-Motion/Opposition | Casetext". casetext.com. Retrieved 2024-08-16.
  16. ^ Roberts, Dan (8 July 2013). "US privacy group challenging NSA and FBI collection of phone records". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2019-09-06 – via www.theguardian.com.