Digital Privacy Pioneer Barry Steinhardt Passes Away at 73

• Barry Steinhardt, a foundational figure in digital civil liberties and privacy advocacy, has died at age 73.
• He served as president of the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) from 1998 to 1999.
• His career included leadership roles at the ACLU, where he established the Program on Technology and Liberty.

Career Achievements and Advocacy

• Played a central role in the legal battle that led to the Supreme Court's 1997 landmark Reno v. ACLU ruling, which challenged the Communications Decency Act.
• Served as a senior advisor to London-based Privacy International following his time at the ACLU.
• Chaired the 2003 Computer Freedom and Privacy Conference.

Public Service and Advisory Roles

• Contributed expertise to various government and international boards, including:
  • The Department of Transportation’s Negotiated Rule Making on national driver's license standards.
  • The Advisory Committee to the US Census.
  • The Blue Ribbon Panel on Genetics for the National Conference of State Legislatures.
  • The US delegation to the G-8 conference on Cyber Crime.
  • The Czech Helsinki Committee as an advisor.

Legacy

• Remembered by EFF Executive Director Nicole Ozer for his strategic influence in defending privacy rights and protecting individuals from government surveillance.