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Cybersecurity & Standards

POLITICO Pro Interview: Jerry Berman

The Center for Democracy and Technology, a nonprofit public interest group focused on the Internet, was founded by Jerry Berman in Washington in 1994. Berman, who had been executive director of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, saw an increasing need to work through policy channels in the federal government to protect civil liberties in the digital era. On March 8, Berman passed the gavel as CDT Board Chairman to Deirdre Mulligan during the group’s annual dinner, which has become known as the “Tech Prom.” He remains chairman emeritus of the organization and will also continue to lead the Internet Caucus Advisory Committee. In an interview with POLITICO, Berman talks about the Internet-era battles over free expression, consumer privacy and limits on government surveillance — battles which groups like CDT are still fighting today.