CDT Joins Comments Urging FCC to Support Robust Cybersecurity for K-12 Institutions
The Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) joined comments led by our education coalition partners, calling for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to expand the cybersecurity services it supports through its E-Rate program. E-Rate currently provides critical funding to connect schools with broadband, but limits the use of these funds for schools’ cybersecurity. Even the fastest broadband connections are insufficient without ensuring those connections are secure and private, and a lack of security threatens to leave schools and students vulnerable to cyber threats and render those connectionsuseless. We urge the FCC to expand its support for cybersecurity to ensure our schools can keep up with the constant evolution of today’s cyber threats.
E-Rate support is critical, but K-12 cybersecurity is not the responsibility of solely the FCC; CDT has previously encouraged the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the U.S. Department of Education to coordinate their cybersecurity efforts, and for the FTC to proactively address lapses in robust cybersecurity by education technology vendors.
Coalition Urges Senate Not to Let Companies Waive Financial Regulations for AI
CDT joined AI Now Institute, American Civil Liberties Union, and several organizations dedicated to tech policy, consumer protection, and civil rights in a letter to Senate leadership and the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee opposing the “AI Innovation Labs” language in Sec. 10509 of the CLARITY Act.
The Privacy Paradox: How Government Data Has Become Less Private and Less Useful
Providing ready access to information collected and maintained by the government promotes accountability, innovation, and research, making transparency a core responsibility of serving as a steward of the public’s data. Public agencies must also safeguard sensitive information when making data publicly available.
Defending State Data: Lessons from California v. USDA
As the federal government increasingly seeks access to state administrative data, policymakers should consider not only legal authority and privacy implications, but also the practical effects on public confidence, program effectiveness, and states’ ability to fulfill their obligations to residents.
CDT and Partners Urge Passage of the California Location Privacy Act of 2025 (AB 322)
Location data is particularly sensitive, and when collected across time it can reveal a broad range of intrusive insights such as medical conditions, sexual orientation, political activities, and religious beliefs.
