One of the key ways EFF works to promote and protect rights, freedoms, and innovation is by engaging with and informing elected officials at the local, state, and federal levels. On Monday, as the Trump administration officially began its term, EFF provided administration officials and the recently sworn-in members of the 119th Congress with our 2025 Transition Memo. This memo is designed to inform and request action from both the incoming administration and congressional legislators.

The recommendations offered in our transition memo build on EFF’s thirty-five years of experience and the expertise of our public interest technologists, advocates, and legal experts. Founded in 1990, and with over 35,000 members, EFF routinely works with officials and staff in both the legislative and executive branches on a wide range of policies affecting digital rights. Much like the transition memo we shared with the Biden Administration in 2021, this memo focuses on critical priorities for digital freedom that require the immediate attention of Congress and the Trump Administration. 

Many of our recommendations ask for a change in course from current policies and practices. For example, officials in both Democratic and Republican administrations have told Congress that the government needs to have “every tool in the toolbox” to keep the nation safe, including expanded surveillance powers and prolific use of biometric identifiers. Rather than put responsible oversight and transparency measures around these practices, the intelligence community has argued that Congress and the public should just trust these officials and the agencies they lead to do what is right. But a nation built on the rule of law does not depend on trust; it depends on oversight, transparency and accountability. 

Since its founding, EFF has been working to improve and protect digital rights for all. Our transition memo is the first of many steps we will take to advance that mission in 2025. As litigators, technologists, activists, and internet users, we look forward to working with the new Trump Administration and the new Congress to implement these important ideas and more.