EFF How to Fix the Internet Podcast: 2025 Review
- The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) continued its deep dive into critical digital rights issues throughout 2025 via its podcast, offering insightful discussions with leading experts.Here's a recap of...
- The year began with a call to action for a more collaborative approach to technology advancement.
- An episode titled "Securing Journalism on the 'Data-Greedy' Internet" featured Harlo Holmes, Digital Security Director at the Freedom of the Press Foundation, discussing the tools and techniques journalists...
EFF’s 2025 Podcast highlights: From AI hype to Neuro-Rights
Table of Contents
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) continued its deep dive into critical digital rights issues throughout 2025 via its podcast, offering insightful discussions with leading experts.Here’s a recap of key episodes,exploring topics ranging from securing journalism in a “data-greedy” internet to the ethical implications of neurotechnology.
Reclaiming Technology
The year began with a call to action for a more collaborative approach to technology advancement. As EFF’s Cindy Cohn articulated, the goal isn’t simply to accept the technology given to us, but collaboratively breaking it, tinkering with it, and rebuilding it together until it becomes the technology that we really need to make our world a better place.
This sentiment underscored a recurring theme: the need for user agency and collective innovation.
Securing Journalism in a Digital Age
Protecting press freedom remained a central focus. An episode titled “Securing Journalism on the ‘Data-Greedy’ Internet” featured Harlo Holmes, Digital Security Director at the Freedom of the Press Foundation, discussing the tools and techniques journalists can employ to safeguard their work and sources against surveillance and attacks from governments, hackers, and other adversaries. The conversation highlighted the vital link between a free press and a functioning democracy.
Post-Quantum Cryptography
The podcast addressed the looming threat to current encryption methods with the episode “Cryptography Makes a Post-Quantum Leap.” Research and applied cryptographer deirdre Connolly explained how advancements in computing power necessitate a shift to post-quantum cryptography to maintain online security. The discussion explored both shoring up existing defenses and developing entirely new methods of data protection.
Joyful Digital Security
Recognizing that digital security can be intimidating, the EFF explored ways to make it more accessible and engaging. “Finding the Joy in Digital Security” featured Helen Andromedon, a digital security trainer from East Africa, who advocated for a playful and fun approach to learning online safety, notably for women and girls, to foster greater participation and empowerment in the digital world.
Challenging Tech Oligarchies
The concentration of power within a few tech giants came under scrutiny in “Smashing the Tech Oligarchy.” Tech journalist Kara Swisher discussed the need for regulation to curb surveillance capitalism, promote algorithmic openness, and prevent monopolistic practices, ultimately aiming for an internet that benefits all users, not just a select few.
AI: Separating Hope from Hype
the podcast tackled the complexities of artificial intelligence with “Separating AI Hope from AI Hype.” Princeton Professor Arvind narayanan offered a grounded viewpoint on AI’s capabilities and limitations, emphasizing the need for systemic improvements to ensure AI serves humanity positively and integrates seamlessly into daily life.
Neuro-Rights and the Privacy of Thought
A particularly forward-looking episode, “protecting Privacy in Your Brain,” explored the ethical and legal challenges posed by advancing neurotechnology. Neuroscientist Rafael Yuste and human rights lawyer Jared Genser, co-founders of The Neurorights Foundation, discussed the importance of establishing legal safeguards to protect the privacy of our thoughts and prevent manipulation of the mind.
The Library of Everything
The importance of open access to knowledge was highlighted in “Building and Preserving the Library of Everything.” Internet Archive founder Brewster Kahle underscored the vital role of free knowledge in fostering an informed populace and empowering individuals.
This article is part of our Year in Review series. Read other articles about the fight for digital rights in 2025.