Center for Democracy and Technology
Encyclopedia
The Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) is a Washington, D.C.
based 501(c)(3) non-profit public-interest group that works to promote an open, innovative and free Internet.
As a civil liberties group with expertise in law, technology, and policy, CDT works to enhance free expression and privacy in communications technologies by finding practical and innovative solutions to public policy challenges while protecting civil liberties. CDT is dedicated to building consensus among all parties interested in the future of the Internet and other new communications media.
In 1994, Jerry Berman parted ways with another organization, the Electronic Frontier Foundation
(EFF), and formed the Center for Democracy & Technology. Jerry Berman heads the 200 organization Advisory Committee to the Congressional Internet Caucus, a bipartisan group of over 160 members of Congress which sponsor Internet policy forums and a speakers program to increase congressional understanding of the Internet.
CDT has used the internet itself to influence legislation concerning the internet. For instance, the organization has relied on email to spread a message like a virus, called "Word of Mouse." The organization has also used the Internet to facilitate communication from citizens to governments and businesses. The CDT has used the web as a way to greatly enhance their ability to make a difference and have a larger say in important issues.
One way the CDT differs from other organizations with similar goals, such as the Electronic Frontiers Foundation, is that the CDT prefers to use a more pragmatic inside strategy when working with companies and government officials. The CDT often works with legislators on controversial legislation. For example, the CDT offered opinions on the rework of the Internet Integrity and Critical Infrastructure Protection Act of 2000 (S.2448), a computer-crime bill introduced in the 106th Congress by United States Senate
Orrin Hatch
, Patrick Leahy
, and Chuck Schumer. While other organizations prefer not to comment on legislation in progress, the CDT believes a "seat at the table" enables advocacy for civil liberties positions that might not otherwise be heard. People at CDT work with lawmakers to insert civil liberties concepts into new law and to remove concepts that would endanger the liberty of the individual.
, an organization made up of anti-spyware providers as well as public interest groups committed to combating the rise of unwanted spyware clogging computers and endangering Internet communications. In 2004, CDT launched its first complaint to the FTC
against Mailwiper Inc. and Seismic Entertainment Media and their affiliates, alleging that they were engaging in deceptive and unfair marketing practices by changing computer users' web homepages without their consent and trying to convince these users they needed the Mailwiper program called "Spy Wiper" to protect their computers. Later, In 2006, with the help of the organization Stopbadware.org, the CDT urged the FTC to shut down the site FastMP3Search.com.ar. The Site executed the installation of Trojan Horse
applications to users, it then disabled security software, changed homepage settings, and impaired computer speed and performance without user consent.
{| class=wikitable
|-
!Name
!Position at CDT
!Background
|-
!Jerry Berman
|Founder
|Director, EFF
; Chief Legislative Counsel ACLU
|-
!Deirdre K. Mulligan
|Chair of the Board
|Assistant Professor, University of California, Berkeley School of Information
|-
!Leslie Harris
|President & Chief Executive Officer
|Founder, Leslie Harris & Associates; Director of Public Policy, PFAW
|-
!Jim Dempsey
|Vice President for Public Policy
|Deputy Director, Center for National Security Studies; Assistant Counsel to the United States House Judiciary Subcommittee on Civil and Constitutional Rights
|-
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
based 501(c)(3) non-profit public-interest group that works to promote an open, innovative and free Internet.
As a civil liberties group with expertise in law, technology, and policy, CDT works to enhance free expression and privacy in communications technologies by finding practical and innovative solutions to public policy challenges while protecting civil liberties. CDT is dedicated to building consensus among all parties interested in the future of the Internet and other new communications media.
In 1994, Jerry Berman parted ways with another organization, the Electronic Frontier Foundation
Electronic Frontier Foundation
The Electronic Frontier Foundation is an international non-profit digital rights advocacy and legal organization based in the United States...
(EFF), and formed the Center for Democracy & Technology. Jerry Berman heads the 200 organization Advisory Committee to the Congressional Internet Caucus, a bipartisan group of over 160 members of Congress which sponsor Internet policy forums and a speakers program to increase congressional understanding of the Internet.
CDT has used the internet itself to influence legislation concerning the internet. For instance, the organization has relied on email to spread a message like a virus, called "Word of Mouse." The organization has also used the Internet to facilitate communication from citizens to governments and businesses. The CDT has used the web as a way to greatly enhance their ability to make a difference and have a larger say in important issues.
One way the CDT differs from other organizations with similar goals, such as the Electronic Frontiers Foundation, is that the CDT prefers to use a more pragmatic inside strategy when working with companies and government officials. The CDT often works with legislators on controversial legislation. For example, the CDT offered opinions on the rework of the Internet Integrity and Critical Infrastructure Protection Act of 2000 (S.2448), a computer-crime bill introduced in the 106th Congress by United States Senate
Senators
The term Senators can refer to:*The members of a senate*The Ottawa Senators, a National Hockey League ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada...
Orrin Hatch
Orrin Hatch
Orrin Grant Hatch is the senior United States Senator for Utah and is a member of the Republican Party. Hatch served as the chairman or ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee from 1993 to 2005...
, Patrick Leahy
Patrick Leahy
Patrick Joseph Leahy is the senior United States Senator from Vermont and member of the Democratic Party. He is the first and only elected Democratic United States Senator in Vermont's history. He is the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Leahy is the second most senior U.S. Senator,...
, and Chuck Schumer. While other organizations prefer not to comment on legislation in progress, the CDT believes a "seat at the table" enables advocacy for civil liberties positions that might not otherwise be heard. People at CDT work with lawmakers to insert civil liberties concepts into new law and to remove concepts that would endanger the liberty of the individual.
Spyware
The CDT convened the Anti-Spyware CoalitionAnti-Spyware Coalition
The Anti-Spyware Coalition is a group dedicated to building a consensus about definitions and best practices in the debate surrounding spyware and other potentially unwanted technologies....
, an organization made up of anti-spyware providers as well as public interest groups committed to combating the rise of unwanted spyware clogging computers and endangering Internet communications. In 2004, CDT launched its first complaint to the FTC
FTC
FTC may refer to:- Organizations :* Federal Trade Commission, a US agency for consumer protection* Ferencvárosi TC, a Hungarian sports club* Financial Training Center Limited, a training institution in Tanzania...
against Mailwiper Inc. and Seismic Entertainment Media and their affiliates, alleging that they were engaging in deceptive and unfair marketing practices by changing computer users' web homepages without their consent and trying to convince these users they needed the Mailwiper program called "Spy Wiper" to protect their computers. Later, In 2006, with the help of the organization Stopbadware.org, the CDT urged the FTC to shut down the site FastMP3Search.com.ar. The Site executed the installation of Trojan Horse
Trojan horse (computing)
A Trojan horse, or Trojan, is software that appears to perform a desirable function for the user prior to run or install, but steals information or harms the system. The term is derived from the Trojan Horse story in Greek mythology.-Malware:A destructive program that masquerades as a benign...
applications to users, it then disabled security software, changed homepage settings, and impaired computer speed and performance without user consent.
{| class=wikitable
|-
!Name
!Position at CDT
!Background
|-
!Jerry Berman
|Founder
|Director, EFF
Electronic Frontier Foundation
The Electronic Frontier Foundation is an international non-profit digital rights advocacy and legal organization based in the United States...
; Chief Legislative Counsel ACLU
|-
!Deirdre K. Mulligan
|Chair of the Board
|Assistant Professor, University of California, Berkeley School of Information
|-
!Leslie Harris
Leslie Harris
Leslie Harris is the president and chief executive officer of the Center for Democracy and Technology in Washington, D.C. in the United States. Harris joined CDT in 2005 as executive director...
|President & Chief Executive Officer
|Founder, Leslie Harris & Associates; Director of Public Policy, PFAW
|-
!Jim Dempsey
|Vice President for Public Policy
|Deputy Director, Center for National Security Studies; Assistant Counsel to the United States House Judiciary Subcommittee on Civil and Constitutional Rights
|-