CDT champions strong encryption as essential to privacy and cybersecurity, leading the Global Encryption Coalition to defend secure communications against backdoor mandates that would weaken safety for everyone.
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The world is more secure when our personal devices and digital communications utilize encryption technology. Encryption is the technical foundation of our entire digital environment, keeping medical records, passwords, and entire accounts safe. Without encryption, there would be no online banking, bill paying, or shopping. Without encryption, pioneering and courageous journalism and dissent would be put at increased risk.
Encrypting the data on smartphones, tablets, and our increasingly internet-connected televisions, cars, washing machines, and thermostats helps protect against malicious hacking, identity theft, harassment, and other crimes. In addition, encrypting data as it moves can prevent hackers and foreign governments from accessing your communications on a massive scale without your knowledge.
While there are regularly calls from law enforcement and government officials for “exceptional access” or the weakening of encrypted technologies, requiring platforms and device manufacturers to build backdoors into their products to facilitate law enforcement access would make everyone more susceptible to malicious hacking, from criminals and foreign adversaries alike.
British Public Oppose Secret Surveillance Powers and Want Strong Protections for Encrypted Communications
CDT released nationally representative polling data revealing that a the British public are broadly concerned about the security, privacy, and free speech consequences of allowing law enforcement to access encrypted communications.
Changing Course to Get It Right: The Advisory Committee Reviews Its AI Evidence Rule
CDT is keeping a close eye on Proposed Federal Rule of Evidence 707, which would govern when AI-generated information can be admitted as evidence in federal court — and many state courts where the federal rules are routinely adopted — without a human expert to explain it.
Absent meaningful guardrails, ALPRs — which can effortlessly reconstruct where a person lives, works, shops, socializes, seeks medical care, and more — can be weaponized for pervasive surveillance and misconduct
CDT VP Testifies on State and Local Cybersecurity Threats and the Federal Retreat
On May 21, 2026, CDT Vice President of Policy Samir Jain testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security’s Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection on the cybersecurity threats facing state and local governments.
