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Artwork for EFFector
Electronic Frontier Foundation
Google
End-To-End Encryption
License Plate Readers
Privacy
Digital Privacy
ALPR (automated License Plate Readers)
Section 702
Kids Act
Privacy Act Of 1974
Department Of Homeland Security
Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act
Age Verification
Mass Surveillance
Office Of Personnel Management
DOGE
Real-Time Bidding
Data Brokers
Fourth Amendment
Meta Ray-Bans

Stay on the cutting edge of digital rights news with EFFector, the Electronic Frontier Foundation's bi-weekly podcast. Each episode features EFF's lawyers, activists, and technologists breaking down our latest work to defend your privacy and free speech online. The EFFector podcast is the audio companion to our email newsletter—subscribe at eff.org/effector.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes17Founded8 months ago
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NewsEducation

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Artwork for EFFector

Latest Episodes

When we need medical care, we expect decisions about our treatment to be made by our doctors, not a tech company's algorithm. But in January, the federal government launched a program that uses AI to approve requests for certain services under Medica... more

When we give our private information to the government to pay taxes, apply for a job, or vote, we should be able to trust that our data won't later be used against us. But in a betrayal of that trust, the federal government has been pooling the infor... more

YouTube

No one should have to think twice before posting a meme criticizing the government. But a mass surveillance program known as "Catch and Revoke" was created to make millions do just that.

EFF and other defenders of free speech are fighting back. On t... more

YouTube

With the launch of iOS 27, Apple is rolling out a variety of new AI features to its familiar voice assistant, Siri. But how are AI tools like these handling our data? And what can we do to make sure our private information stays private?

On this epi... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

F. Mario Trujillo
Senior Staff Attorney at the Electronic Frontier Foundation
Electronic Frontier Foundation
Episode: A Victory in the Fight Against DOGE's Data Grab
Lisa Femia
Senior Staff Attorney at EFF
Electronic Frontier Foundation
Episode: The Government Is Using AI to Surveil Social Media. Here's How We're Fighting Back.
Thorin Klosowski
Senior Security and Privacy Activist at EFF
Electronic Frontier Foundation
Episode: Hey Siri, How Do I Limit AI Data Access?
Adam Schwartz
Privacy Litigation Director at EFF
Electronic Frontier Foundation
Episode: Everybody Hates Flock. Now What?
Lena Cohen
Researcher at EFF who led the location data SDK analysis
Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF)
Episode: How Mobile Apps Can Leak Your Location to Advertisers
Nicole Ozer
Executive Director of EFF
Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF)
Episode: How Mobile Apps Can Leak Your Location to Advertisers
Joe Mullin
Senior Policy Analyst at EFF
Electronic Frontier Foundation
Episode: Congress's New Push to Age-Gate the Internet
Matthew Guariglia
Senior Policy Analyst at EFF
Electronic Frontier Foundation
Episode: Domestic Spying Takes an L
Rindala Alajaji
Associate Director of State Affairs at EFF
Electronic Frontier Foundation
Episode: Mass Surveillance to Stop... Loud Music?

Hosts

Hudson Hongo
Host of EFFector (Electronic Frontier Foundation)
Christian Romero
Co-host of EFFector (Electronic Frontier Foundation)

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 27 ratings
  • Yay!

    Finally, a podcast from EFF!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Saras1196
    United States7 months ago
  • 👏🏻

    So glad to have a news podcast from EFF!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    axoromero
    United States7 months ago
  • Finally!

    So glad I can finally follow this show in my podcast app. Open protocols (RSS, podcasts) are better than Youtube.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    coolfeynman
    United States8 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Clear breakdowns of complex privacy issues
Great accessibility for policy newcomers
Fresh news and practical advocacy guidance
Listeners appreciate the focus on real-world actions and events

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

A Victory in the Fight Against DOGE's Data Grab
Q: What did EFF ask the court to do?
EFF sought a ruling that the disclosure was unlawful, confirmation that DOGE no longer retained OPM records, and an investigation and remediation of the incident as a data breach.
A Victory in the Fight Against DOGE's Data Grab
Q: What exactly did the U.S. Office of Personnel Management do?
OPM shared databases containing millions of federal employees' personal records with DOGE agents, including sensitive information such as Social Security numbers, birthdates, and employment records.
The Government Is Using AI to Surveil Social Media. Here's How We're Fighting Back.
Q: So, Jason, how much do you personally worry about the government watching what you say online?
The hosts discuss personal concerns about privacy and the fear of consequences from expressing views, acknowledging that while some fear is present, there are legal safeguards and ongoing efforts to challenge the surveillance program.
Hey Siri, How Do I Limit AI Data Access?
Q: Are there practical steps listeners can take now to protect their privacy without sacrificing all AI features?
Yes, users can disable or restrict AI features in the Siri app access and the search settings, opt into or out of data‑sharing features where available, and wait for the next public release that should streamline these controls. Regularly checking settings after updates is recommended.
Hey Siri, How Do I Limit AI Data Access?
Q: What are listeners most likely to do to limit data access, and how usable are the current controls?
The controls are currently chaotic and spread across settings, but there is gradual improvement with beta builds introducing a unified exclude‑apps option. Users are advised to adjust Siri app access, disable app‑level AI in specific apps, and anticipate simpler, on‑device‑only modes as the rollout continues.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About EFFector

What is EFFector about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Digestible explorations of digital rights, privacy, and surveillance with a focus on policy, technology, and legal action. Episodes frequently feature EFF attorneys, technologists, and policy experts breaking down current debates—from encryption and data protection to government data requests and police surveillance—and pair detailed explanations with practical actions for listeners. A standout trait is the show's ability to translate complex legal and tech issues into accessible discussions, often including guest interviews and audience-friendly takeaways. This makes it a strong fit for listeners who want concrete privacy guidance, policy context, and opportunities to engage with digital rights advocacy. A recurring strength is the balance... more

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Which podcasts are similar to EFFector?

These podcasts share a similar audience with EFFector:

1. Privacy's Defenders: Stories From the Fights for Digital Rights
2. The 404 Media Podcast
3. Uncanny Valley | WIRED
4. This Machine Kills
5. Click Here

How many episodes of EFFector are there?

EFFector launched 8 months ago and published 17 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on EFFector?

Recent guests on EFFector include:

1. F. Mario Trujillo
2. Lisa Femia
3. Thorin Klosowski
4. Adam Schwartz
5. Lena Cohen
6. Nicole Ozer
7. Joe Mullin
8. Matthew Guariglia

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