Supporting EPIC

The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) is an independent non-profit corporation in Washington, DC. We receive support from individual contributors, private foundations, and companies. All contributions to EPIC are fully tax-deductible. View the EPIC 2007-2008 Annual Report, 2008 financial statements, 2007 Independent Audit report, letter confirming our 501(c)(3) status, and the Guidestar analysis for 2006 (all files available in PDF).

One way to support EPIC is to send a check to "EPIC," 1718 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20009. You can also donate by credit card online.

We appreciate your support and welcome your suggestions.

EPIC Contributions FAQ

Q: Why should I contribute to EPIC?

EPIC is on the front lines of the major privacy and civil liberties debates. EPIC is an effective and innovative advocate for the public interest. EPIC builds on a strong reputation of success. EPIC has expertise in law, technology, and public policy. EPIC spends modestly but has an impact greater than much larger organizations.

Q: What is EPIC's mission?

EPIC works to protect privacy, freedom of expression, democratic values, and to promote the Public Voice in decisions concerning the future of the Internet.

Q: How can I find out more information about EPIC?

Our Web site is great. That is the place to start.

Network for Good provides a good overview of EPIC's mission, program, results, and financial data.

And EPIC has an outstanding Board of Advisors.

Q: Who supports EPIC?

Most of our support comes from private foundations and individual donors. We also receive income from litigation and the sale of publications.

Q: Why does EPIC need my support?

EPIC is neither a trade group nor a membership association. We rely on support from foundations and individual donors to maintain our programs.

Q: Is my contribution to EPIC tax-deductible?

Yes, EPIC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your contribution is tax-deductible (our tax ID # is 52-2225921).

Q: Will you disclose my name and address to others?

Absolutely not. EPIC does not rent, loan, trade, release or otherwise make available the names of its individual contributors.

Q: What does EPIC do with the contributions it receives?

Glad you asked. We maintain one of the most extensive Web sites on privacy and free speech issues on the Internet. We litigate Freedom of Information Act, First Amendment, and privacy cases. We publish several of the leading books on open government and privacy. We train law school students about the Internet and the public interest. We testify frequently before Congress about emerging civil liberties issues. We publish an excellent online newsletter. We provide an extensive listing of privacy resources as well as a guide to practical privacy tools.

Q: Sounds like you make good use of contributions.

We do.

Q: Could you give a specific example?

Recently, EPIC urged the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commissions to investigate whether the telephone companies violated the federal Communications Act when they disclosed information about their customers to the federal government without a warrant. Our letter was supported by more than 40 organizations. We also pressed the Department of Homeland Security to make available the annual report on privacy. And documents recently obtained by EPIC under the Freedom of Information Act reveal that the new RFID-enabled passport is less reliable than the documents it replaced. EPIC fought one battle to improve the technical standards for the passport. We are ready to fight another.

Q: Does anyone read your stuff?

According to Google, EPIC maintains the top ranked web pages for "privacy," "Patriot Act," "Total Information Awareness," "passenger profiling," "The Public Voice," "In Defense of Freedom," "SSN privacy," "RFID privacy," and others.

Q: What are your other current projects?

"Spotlight on Surveillance" examines hi-tech surveillance systems underway at the Department of Homeland Security. Our research and Freedom of Information Act requests have revealed that many of the proposals to identify terrorists are becoming systems of mass surveillance directed toward the American public.

"EPIC FOIA Notes" highlights interesting government documents obtained by EPIC under the federal Freedom of Information Act. Among the recent disclosures are documents that reveal problems with RFID passports, no-bid contracts that go to voting equipment vendors, and indications of domestic surveillance undertaken without judicial approval.

We are looking at the problems associated with electronic voting. The secret ballot requires ensuring both the integrity and privacy of the voting process. The National Coalition for Voting Integrity, an EPIC project, is promoting new voting techniques that are secure, reliable, transparent and safeguard privacy.

The Privacy and Domestic Violence Project is developing resources for victims and lawyers concerning domestic violence.

EPIC's Public Voice program works to protect public participation in decisions concerning the future of the Internet. We are supporting the Dynamic Privacy Coalition, which was established at the first meeting of the Internet Governance Forum in Athens.

There's more. You get the idea.

Q: What are your priorities for 2007?

Congressional oversight of the President's domestic surveillance program and the various systems of surveillance established by the Department of Homeland Security are critical. For the last few years, there has been a dramatic expansion of monitoring of the American public by the federal government with little investigation.

There will also be a big battle next year when the Department of Homeland Security announces plans for the "REAL ID" card. This proposal, which snuck through Congress without a vote or even a hearing, will establish a national ID card. What that really means is that a lot of people, mainly working for the government, will start asking you to prove who you are. That is bad.

EPIC organized an important conference in 2005 on the implications of REAL ID. And we've been involved in the battle over the National ID since our founding. We plan more work next year. And we'll need your help.

We also will work for reform of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. That law, which is the cornerstone of the Patriot Act authority, has dramatically expanded government secrecy. We do not object to effective law enforcement, but public oversight is essential to prevent misuse.

Q: What else will you be doing in 2007?

After 9-11, federal agencies were given extraordinary new powers to build databases, integrate record systems, and create detailed profiles on American citizens. But the oversight offices recommended by the 9-11 Commission and established by the Congress have simply not done what they were supposed to do. There is too much consolidation of data with too little review. And there is too much disregard for the laws that protect privacy, ensure fairness, and promote transparency. EPIC will be launching a new campaign-- "Privacy Oversight: It's the Law!" -- to promote public debate on the the various surveillance, monitoring and identification schemes that were established in the last few years.

And EPIC will continue our open government efforts. We'll publish a new edition of the Privacy and Human Rights report and work with experts and advocates around the world to promote privacy as a fundamental human right.

We also will also support efforts to establish better controls over DNA databases. EPIC has filed briefs in several cases to create stronger safeguards. In Kohler v. Englade, we challenged a "DNA search warrant." The federal court of appeals ruled that the police lacked probable cause and overturned the decision of a lower court. It was an important victory.

We believe that identity management systems will be one of the key privacy issues in 2007. EPIC successfully pushed the FTC to investigate the Microsoft Passport scheme when that was originally proposed. and Microsoft has since developed a better identity system that permits multiple online identities and discourages the collection of unnecessary personal information. But the demands for identity in both the physical and digital world will only increase. There is more work to do.

Q: What about the voting issue?

We will continue our work on the reliability of electronic voting systems. Ensuring both integrity and privacy for electronic voting is critical for the future of online privacy. And with a Presidential election coming up, we need to be sure that every vote cast will be counted.

EPIC's will also support the adoption of stronger new federal testing and certification requirements for electronic voting systems. EPIC will push for more technical independence for election administrators from voting technology manufacturers. And we will focus on greater transparency of the work of the Election Assistance Commission as it provides guidance to local and state election administrators on the use of electronic voting systems.

Q: What about technology to safeguard privacy?

We're continuing to work with the University of Ottawa Law School on a project to promote technologies for privacy. We believe that techniques for anonymity that are robust, scaleable, verifiable, and transparent should be created. The EPIC Advisory Board also includes many of the leading experts on technologies for privacy, such as encryption. We have always supported good technical solutions to privacy protection.

Q: Does EPIC take contributions from private companies?

Yes, but we do not lobby for, consult or advise companies nor do we endorse products or services. Contributions from companies are only accepted for general support.

Q: Can I make a contribution by credit card?

Yes. You can donate online through Network for Good. There you can also get additional information about our programs and activities. You can also donate anonymously if you wish, or use Paypal.

Q: Can I send you a check?

Absolutely. Many of our contributors send personal checks. Checks should be made payable to "EPIC" and sent to EPIC, 1718 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20009.

Q: Can I wire money to EPIC?

A: Yes. Fund may be wired to "Bank: Suntrust Bank, Dupont Circle Branch, Washington, DC 20036; Account name: Electronic Privacy Information Center; Account number: 700263799; ABA number 061 000 104; SWIFT Code: SNTR US 3A"

Q: How else can I help EPIC?

Please tell your friends about EPIC. Ask them to visit our site (epic.org), sign up for the EPIC Alert, and support the organization. Because we respect your privacy, we do not send you junk mail, call you at dinner, or sell your information to others. So, we need your help.

Q: Does that work?

EPIC has grown steadily since its founding in 1994. Today we are the top privacy resource on the Internet. Our supporters have made that possible.

Q: Anything else?

Yes. Thanks very much for your support.