TechPolitics

Privacy's Defenders Podcast: No Privacy Without Encryption

Read full article at source ↗

Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 20/10/2026, 00:20:25 UTC.

Briefings

This episode of Privacy's Defenders features Cindy Cohn discussing her legal battle against the U.S. government to protect encryption. She recounts how she sued the Department of Justice in 1995, arguing that encryption code is protected speech under the First Amendment. The case was led by Cindy Cohn, who later became EFF's legal director, and involved a young Dan Bernstein who developed an encryption algorithm called 'Snuffle.' The podcast highlights the legal precedent set by the Bernstein v. Department of Justice ruling, which established that code is protected by the First Amendment.

Key points

• In 1995, Dan Bernstein sued the U.S. Department of Justice, arguing that encryption code is protected speech under the First Amendment.
• The case was led by Cindy Cohn, who later became EFF's legal director, and involved a young Dan Bernstein who developed an encryption algorithm called 'Snuffle'.

Context

The podcast explores the legal and technological history of digital privacy, focusing on the pivotal 1995 lawsuit that established encryption as protected speech. This episode features Cindy Cohn, who fought the government for decades, and Dan Bernstein, who developed the encryption algorithm 'Snuffle' that was later used in the case.

Limitations

The episode covers the 1995 Bernstein v. Department of Justice lawsuit and the subsequent legal precedent. It does not provide details on the specific technical mechanics of the 'Snuffle' algorithm or the full timeline of Cindy Cohn's career beyond her role as EFF's legal director.

Generated by Bittrees-hosted qwen35-2b sha256:aaf42c8b7c3c on 20/10/2026, 05:45:20 UTC. Based on publisher-provided feed evidence; may not cover the full original article. Check the source for details.

View archived briefing on IPFS
bafybeidoqoltc7qkzmveucbja6zdacbswjzqv5n55euala5hkzda7xrukm