EFF Welcomes New Executive Director Nicole Ozer: A Decade of Digital Rights Leadership

Text The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has announced the appointment of Nicole Ozer as its new Executive Director, effective June 1, 2026. Ozer, a seasoned legal expert in privacy, surveillance, artificial intelligence, and digital speech, brings decades of experience in advancing civil liberties in the digital age. Her leadership marks a pivotal moment for the organization as it continues its mission to ensure technology supports freedom, justice, and innovation for all. Text Ozer’s career has been defined by her commitment to public interest technology work. She previously served as the inaugural executive director of the Center for Constitutional Democracy at the University of California College of the Law in San Francisco. From 2004 to 2025, she led the Technology and Civil Liberties Program at the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California, where she pioneered policies to protect digital rights. Her work has directly influenced landmark legislation, including the California Electronic Communications Privacy Act, which requires a warrant for government access to electronic information. Text “EFF’s global work to defend and advance rights, justice, and democracy in the digital age is fundamental to the future of our countries, our livelihoods, and literally our lives,” Ozer said in a statement. “I am ready to hit the ground running with EFF’s exceptional staff, board, and members. Together, we can meet this moment and build a future where technology works for the people.” Text Ozer’s contributions extend beyond legislation. She has developed model laws to establish local democratic oversight of surveillance systems, inspiring 25 laws across the United States that safeguard the rights of over 17 million people. Her advocacy also includes litigation on civil liberties cases, such as those involving the National Security Agency (NSA), and drafting amicus briefs for technology-related issues in state and federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. She has led campaigns to strengthen privacy protections for billions of people worldwide by holding technology companies accountable for social media surveillance and facial recognition practices. Text Ozer’s appointment follows the departure of Cindy Cohn, who has led EFF for over 25 years and served as executive director since 2015. Cohn will transition to a role that allows her to return to litigation, stating, “I’m confident that Nicole understands both the strong heart and the future potential of EFF, especially as our work is more critical than ever.” Text The EFF’s mission to champion user privacy, free expression, and innovation remains urgent amid growing challenges in the digital landscape. Ozer’s expertise in navigating the intersection of technology and civil liberties positions the organization to address emerging issues, from AI ethics to surveillance technology. Text “Nicole has long been a partner of EFF’s in the fight to defend civil liberties in the digital world,” said an EFF spokesperson. “Her decades of leadership in public interest technology work ensure that EFF is poised to be stronger than ever to meet this moment and build for the fights ahead.” Text Ozer’s leadership comes at a time when digital rights are under increasing scrutiny. As governments and corporations expand surveillance capabilities and data collection practices, the need for robust advocacy has never been greater. The EFF has emphasized the importance of public engagement in these efforts, encouraging individuals to join its mission through donations, events, and advocacy. Text “Join EFF today, and sign up for our EFFector newsletter to