### EFF Welcomes New Executive Director Nicole Ozer The **Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF)**, a leading non-profit defending civil liberties in the digital world, has announced the appointment of **Nicole Ozer** as its new Executive Director. Ozer, a distinguished legal expert with a profound focus on privacy, surveillance, artificial intelligence, and digital speech, officially steps into her role today. ### A Champion of Digital Rights **Nicole Ozer** brings an impressive two decades of leadership in public interest technology work to the **EFF**. Prior to this appointment, she served as the inaugural executive director of the **Center for Constitutional Democracy** at [UC Law San Francisco](https://www.uclawsf.edu/center-for-constitutional-democracy/). From 2004 to 2025, she was the founding director of the Technology and Civil Liberties Program at the [American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California](https://www.aclunorcal.org/). Her career is marked by significant achievements in safeguarding digital freedoms, as detailed on her [staff page](https://www.eff.org/about/staff/nicole-ozer): * She spearheaded the passage of the [California Electronic Communications Privacy Act](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201520160SB178), working alongside the **EFF** to establish what is considered the nation's strongest electronic surveillance law, requiring a warrant for government access to electronic information. * Ozer also played a crucial role in modernizing California law to protect reading records in the digital age, helping, [along with EFF](https://www.eff.org/cases/sb-602-californias-reader-privacy-act-2011), to craft the [Reader Privacy Act](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201120120SB602), which mandates a “super warrant” for government access to such data. * She developed a groundbreaking model law for local democratic oversight of surveillance systems, inspiring 25 similar laws nationwide that now protect the rights and safety of over 17 million people. * Her litigation experience includes collaborative work with the **EFF** on significant cases, such as the [NSA cases](https://www.eff.org/cases/jewel), and drafting influential amicus briefs on technology issues across all levels of state and federal courts, including the U.S. and California Supreme Courts. * Ozer has also led multi-year campaigns to strengthen anti-surveillance policies related to social media and facial recognition among major technology companies, aiming to foster stronger privacy and free expression for billions globally. ### Transition in Leadership **Nicole Ozer** succeeds [Cindy Cohn](https://www.eff.org/about/staff/cindy-cohn), who has served the **EFF** for over 25 years, including nine years as Executive Director since 2015. [Cohn is departing the EFF later this month](https://www.eff.org/press/releases/executive-director-cindy-cohn-will-step-down-after-25-years-eff), not for retirement, but to return to her passion: litigating against the government in the courtroom. She will remain an integral part of the **EFF** community. ### The Path Forward In an era where digital lives are increasingly intertwined with technology, the **EFF**'s mission to ensure technology supports freedom, justice, and innovation is more critical than ever. With **Nicole Ozer**'s extensive experience and proven track record, the organization is poised to strengthen its efforts in confronting emerging digital threats and advocating for the rights of users worldwide. The **EFF** encourages individuals to join their critical fight to defend and advance digital rights. For updates on the latest news and upcoming events, including opportunities to get to know **Nicole Ozer**, users can [sign up for the EFFector newsletter](https://www.eff.org/effector).