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Electronic Frontier Foundation

EFF Board of Directors Removes 76-Year-Old John Gilmore (eff.org) 243

76-year-old John Gilmore co-founded the EFF in 1990, and in the 31 years since he's "provided leadership and guidance on many of the most important digital rights issues we advocate for today," the EFF said in a statement Friday.

"But in recent years, we have not seen eye-to-eye on how to best communicate and work together," they add, announcing "we have been unable to agree on a way forward with Gilmore in a governance role." That is why the EFF Board of Directors has recently made the difficult decision to vote to remove Gilmore from the Board.

We are deeply grateful for the many years Gilmore gave to EFF as a leader and advocate, and the Board has elected him to the role of Board Member Emeritus moving forward. "I am so proud of the impact that EFF has had in retaining and expanding individual rights and freedoms as the world has adapted to major technological changes," Gilmore said. "My departure will leave a strong board and an even stronger staff who care deeply about these issues."

John Gilmore co-founded EFF in 1990 alongside John Perry Barlow, Steve Wozniak and Mitch Kapor, and provided significant financial support critical to the organization's survival and growth over many years. Since then, Gilmore has worked closely with EFF's staff, board, and lawyers on privacy, free speech, security, encryption, and more. In the 1990s, Gilmore found the government documents that confirmed the First Amendment problem with the government's export controls over encryption, and helped initiate the filing of Bernstein v DOJ, which resulted in a court ruling that software source code was speech protected by the First Amendment and the government's regulations preventing its publication were unconstitutional. The decision made it legal in 1999 for web browsers, websites, and software like PGP and Signal to use the encryption of their choice.

Gilmore also led EFF's effort to design and build the DES Cracker, which was regarded as a fundamental breakthrough in how we evaluate computer security and the public policies that control its use. At the time, the 1970s Data Encryption Standard (DES) was embedded in ATM machines and banking networks, as well as in popular software around the world. U.S. government officials proclaimed that DES was secure, while secretly being able to wiretap it themselves. The EFF DES Cracker publicly showed that DES was in fact so weak that it could be broken in one week with an investment of less than $350,000. This catalyzed the international creation and adoption of the much stronger Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), now widely used to secure information worldwide....

EFF has always valued and appreciated Gilmore's opinions, even when we disagree. It is no overstatement to say that EFF would not exist without him. We look forward to continuing to benefit from his institutional knowledge and guidance in his new role of Board Member Emeritus.

Gilmore also created the alt* hierarchy on Usenet, co-founded the Cypherpunks mailing list, and was one of the founders of Cygnus Solutions (according to his page on Wikipedia).

He's also apparently Slashdot user #35,813 (though he hasn't posted a comment since 2004).
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EFF Board of Directors Removes 76-Year-Old John Gilmore

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  • by oldgraybeard ( 2939809 ) on Saturday October 23, 2021 @11:39PM (#61921341)
    a time of transition. Wonder if they will make it through with their integrity intact? Only time will tell.
    • I used to donate to the EFF every year regularly, but in recent years they have been against some things where I thought they were really off the rails, and did not donate... I did donate last year, but I'll have to look into why this person was ejected and see if maybe it's time to withhold my support for good.

      I wish there would be some people that would start up a group like the EFF that would not subverted with politics, and truly supported digital freedom. Maybe the Electronic Freedom Foundation In Tru

      • by quintessencesluglord ( 652360 ) on Sunday October 24, 2021 @12:50AM (#61921433)

        Posted regarding something else, but applies equally here (if not a multitude of places):

        "Pournelle's Iron Law of Bureaucracy states that in any bureaucratic organization there will be two kinds of people":

        First, there will be those who are devoted to the goals of the organization. Examples are dedicated classroom teachers in an educational bureaucracy, many of the engineers and launch technicians and scientists at NASA, even some agricultural scientists and advisors in the former Soviet Union collective farming administration.

        Secondly, there will be those dedicated to the organization itself. Examples are many of the administrators in the education system, many professors of education, many teachers union officials, much of the NASA headquarters staff, etc.

        The Iron Law states that in every case the second group will gain and keep control of the organization. It will write the rules, and control promotions within the organization

      • by demon driver ( 1046738 ) on Sunday October 24, 2021 @06:53AM (#61921709) Journal

        It would be funny if it wasn't so sad that so many people criticizing "politics" have never understood what "politics" is and that "digital freedom" is a purely political agenda, let alone that their own demands that something be "not subverted with politics" are deeply political in themselves. Or they're not so stupid after all and it's just that they're pissed off that someone else's politics might not follow their own political views, and they're perfectly aware how hypocritical the anti-politics stance they advertise actually is...

        • by alexgieg ( 948359 ) <alexgieg@gmail.com> on Sunday October 24, 2021 @07:52AM (#61921767) Homepage

          Sure, we can always generalize words so much that they lose any specificity. Saying everything is political is the same as saying everything is math: true, and useless.

          So, what people mean when they say they don't want politics in an area, is that they don't want politicians' self-serving, nothing-to-do-with-the-actual-problem, bullshit interfering in what people actually interested in solving-the-actual-problem are doing. No more, no less.

          • by dfghjk ( 711126 )

            "Saying everything is political..."

            Except that you are the only one who has said that. Straight up straw man here.

            "we can always generalize words so much that they lose any specificity"

            Except this hasn't happened either.

            "So, what people mean when they say they don't want politics in an area, is that they don't want politicians' self-serving, nothing-to-do-with-the-actual-problem, bullshit interfering in what people actually interested in solving-the-actual-problem are doing. No more, no less."

            That's certai

          • Sure, we can always generalize words so much that they lose any specificity. Saying everything is political is the same as saying everything is math: true, and useless.

            While that claim is debatable as such and while I'm happy to debate it in any other context, it's good then that no one here, let alone I, would have claimed anything like that.

            So, what people mean when they say they don't want politics in an area, is that they don't want politicians' self-serving, nothing-to-do-with-the-actual-problem, bullshit interfering in what people actually interested in solving-the-actual-problem are doing. No more, no less.

            No. While it's what they're always keen to pretend they would mean, it's exactly not what they mean. What they mean is we shouldn't care about the people who are affected in the course of the process of problem-solving, we should not care about side effects affecting people or, for that matter, anything. Specifically, we should not c

            • Specifically, we should not care about any sexism or racism becoming manifest the process.

              This way of phrasing it is only relevant if you think sex relation and race relations are inherently and invariably political. There are occasions in which they are, and there are occasions in which they aren't. Refuse to buy the axiom powering that identity, and it, as well as all syllogisms coming from its assumption, fall apart for all but the small slice of problem-space it actually, effectively applies to.

        • "Politics" is about changing the rules, not about working within the rules. People who "don't want politics to get involved" don't want to have the rules changed on them. Politics is very often used to change the rules in favor of well-connected people. Being averse to politics is not another form of politics, in the same way that not believing in a god is not another form of religion. "The only winning move is not to play."

      • Re: (Score:2, Troll)

        by dfghjk ( 711126 )

        What support are you referring to? What kind of donation? Is it the usual for you, SuperKendal, lying tribalistic bullshit? If so, do everyone a favor and withhold all of it for every organization going forward. The world would be better off without your "support" and your "donations".

        Also, it should be understood that the EFF doesn't see eye to eye with your various gods, in particular Jobs, Musk and Trump. It is no wonder you might think they are "off the rails". I mean, where's the grift? The extr

      • by flink ( 18449 )

        I wish there would be some people that would start up a group like the EFF that would not subverted with politics, and truly supported digital freedom. Maybe the Electronic Freedom Foundation In Truth, or EFF-IT.

        In what world is what the EFF does not intrinsicly political? What one person defines as "digital freedom" is dangerous anarchy to another. Reconciling that contradiction and taking a position is a polital act.

  • Nice mystery there (Score:3, Insightful)

    by fustakrakich ( 1673220 ) on Saturday October 23, 2021 @11:40PM (#61921343) Journal

    Any clues?

    • Gilmore was always a bit eccentric - in a generally good way - and is now getting older and probably quite a bit more eccentric. I suspect he was just drifting further and further away from the general mission of the EFF, which would also cause problems when you have a slightly loose cannon who isn't afraid of expressing his opinions. Mid-70's is a not-uncommon age for people to finally be eased out of a position they've been in for a long, long time. Heck, even academics will get crowbarred out of their
      • by jd ( 1658 )

        My father was removed from his office as he approached his 70s. He agreed to go voluntarily, provided he could keep his entire research grant to do with as he wanted, plus something like 5 years' wages. Since he had bulletproof life tenure, the University agreed.

    • Any clues?

      A preliminary search doesn't find much, other than firing the guy is pretty radical, since he contributed so much. They seem to be trying to keep it away from everyone.

  • by Moridineas ( 213502 ) on Saturday October 23, 2021 @11:40PM (#61921345) Journal

    Savor the fruit of life, my young friends. It has a sweet taste when it is fresh from the vine. But don't live too long. The taste turns bitter... after a time.

  • Cardinal sin? (Score:2, Insightful)

    by Anonymous Coward

    What'd he do, misgender someone?

    Doesn't he know these people are oppressed?!

    • Re: (Score:2, Insightful)

      by greytree ( 7124971 )

      Parent was voted Troll, whuch means Insightful npwadays.

      Fuck the Woke. .

  • by Miles_O'Toole ( 5152533 ) on Sunday October 24, 2021 @12:09AM (#61921369)

    TFA reads like a bank's PR statement about how great it is for their customers that they're raising service charges. It smells like pure, unadulterated bullshit. Either tell us what the differences with Gilmore are, or we can assume it's likely the EFF has been co-opted by scumbags.

    • Re: (Score:3, Insightful)

      by Anonymous Coward

      we can assume it's likely the EFF has been co-opted by scumbags.

      I suspect it is similar to what happened to ACLU.
      The focus shifts to Diversity Equity and Inclusion, instead of the actual mission of the organization.

      • by phantomfive ( 622387 ) on Sunday October 24, 2021 @12:50AM (#61921429) Journal

        The focus shifts to Diversity Equity and Inclusion, instead of the actual mission of the organization.

        Looking through a list of the EFFs recent news feed [eff.org], I can't see anything that seems to have changed in their focus. So I don't think it was that.

      • by Nugoo ( 1794744 )
        When was the ACLU not focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion?
        • by RightwingNutjob ( 1302813 ) on Sunday October 24, 2021 @10:30AM (#61921999)

          Back when they were focused on civil liberties alone, without giving two fucks about the details. And no, I don't mean back in the 70s when they defended neo neo-not-see's right to march in Skokie, but as recently as 2017 when they went to bat for Unite the Right's rejected permit for their march in Charlottesville, nominally for the purpose of protesting the removal of General Lee's statue.

          Those two moves were principled. They said they believed in the right of people to express their opinions, regardless of how distasteful they were, and they acted like they believed what they said.

          More recently...they've gone squishy in their deeds and in their words. They still call themselves the ACLU, but they no longer talk or act like they believe the 1st amendment applies to people with whom they otherwise disagree.

    • Re: (Score:3, Insightful)

      by thegarbz ( 1787294 )

      Either tell us what the differences with Gilmore are, or we can assume it's likely the EFF has been co-opted by scumbags.

      Why? Did you attend every other board meeting? Do they publish every other decision in detail and minutes? What makes you so entitled to the inner workings of an organisation? The only thing you're entitled to is an opinion, and that one seems to be somewhat presumptuous.

      • The EFF's about us page claims they're champions of "freedom, justice, and innovation". If they want to keep claiming those first two, they should be less opaque about their assertions.

        If you keep secrets, people assume you have something to hide. Historically, this belief has been warranted.

        • The EFF's about us page claims they're champions of "freedom, justice, and innovation". If they want to keep claiming those first two, they should be less opaque about their assertions.

          If you keep secrets, people assume you have something to hide. Historically, this belief has been warranted.

          Exactly. They are not practicing what they preach, and I would suggest that we use a FOIA act lawsuit to uncover the reason - the EFF should appreciate the public using one of their goto tools.

          • by thegarbz ( 1787294 ) on Sunday October 24, 2021 @11:42AM (#61922117)

            They are not practicing what they preach

            Citation needed. No where (not even in the words freedom and justice) does it say "publish everything to everyone at all times". Frankly their actions inside the boardroom are of zero interest or relevance to their mission outside the boardroom.

            I would suggest that we use a FOIA act lawsuit to uncover the reason

            I would suggest you call your nurse and let them know you're off your meds. I can think of no other reason why you think a law that applies to federal agencies would be applicable here.

        • If you keep secrets, people assume you have something to hide. Historically, this belief has been warranted.

          There's a different between keeping secrets and not sharing every detail. Frankly the world doesn't need to know everything about everything. Supporting freedom and justice does not mean being an open book to the world.

      • by Ol Olsoc ( 1175323 ) on Sunday October 24, 2021 @08:54AM (#61921855)

        Either tell us what the differences with Gilmore are, or we can assume it's likely the EFF has been co-opted by scumbags.

        Why? Did you attend every other board meeting? Do they publish every other decision in detail and minutes? What makes you so entitled to the inner workings of an organisation? The only thing you're entitled to is an opinion, and that one seems to be somewhat presumptuous.

        It's the world we live in. If a group acts secretive about something, rumors start. And if they act really secretive, the rumors amp up.

        There is a sort of delicious irony here, as the EFF is supposed to be all about transparency, yet here they are, acting like a disgraced former president who sues to keep his transgressions covered up.

  • by ArhcAngel ( 247594 ) on Sunday October 24, 2021 @12:17AM (#61921389)
    Reveal their gender/age bias by removing good guy for being white/old!
  • by OpenGLFan ( 56206 ) on Sunday October 24, 2021 @12:18AM (#61921391) Homepage

    I can only think of two reasons why Gilmore's removal from the EFF so secretive:

    1: He's gone a bit crackers, and they're not saying more to not tarnish his stellar reputation late in life.
    2: The EFF believe that many people would agree with Gilmore, and they want to move away from the example set by decades of Gilmore's superb leadership.

    The list of Gilmore's previous accomplishments have greatly influenced my previous donations to the EFF. If these ideas have somehow become "troublesome" for the EFF, I need to know in order to adjust my donation behavior.

  • Trump supporters (Score:3, Interesting)

    by backslashdot ( 95548 ) on Sunday October 24, 2021 @12:30AM (#61921413)

    Trump supporters, most of whom actually hate the EFF, seem to be assuming that he was removed for Woke reasons/cancel culture. Well I doubt that. I think if he was removed due to cancel culture the press release wouldnâ(TM)t have been so nice about his contributions.

    • Trump supporters, most of whom actually hate the EFF, seem to be assuming that he was removed for Woke reasons/cancel culture. Well I doubt that.

      It's 2021. Anything in the world which happens that I disagree with *MUST* be the result of toxic "cancel culture". That is the state of modern discourse.

    • by XArtur0 ( 5079833 ) on Sunday October 24, 2021 @05:15AM (#61921633)

      Why do you have to make it all about Trump?

      I'm Mexican-born and I genuinely don't get the obsession.
      I dont agree with the way some treat the illegal "migrants", but I also dont agree with them crossing the border illegally.
      We have laws and borders for a reason, we dont live in a fairy tale with rainbows and flowers as far as the eye can see.

      I donate to the EFF and Wikipedia regularly.
      Wikipedia has done somethings I dont agree with, but I still believe in the idea.
      I first heard about the EFF when the Sony DVD rootkit debacle, and have been following them ever since.

      It would be a shame if I have to remove the EFF form my white list like I did Mozilla/Firefox.
         

  • Interesting... (Score:4, Interesting)

    by bferrell ( 253291 ) on Sunday October 24, 2021 @12:36AM (#61921421) Homepage Journal

    The article says leaves
    Slashdot says removed
    How did THAT happen?

    • Re:Interesting... (Score:4, Insightful)

      by DrMrLordX ( 559371 ) on Sunday October 24, 2021 @01:09AM (#61921461)

      No, the article only says that in its title. Quoting the article:

      "Since he helped found EFF 31 years ago, John Gilmore has provided leadership and guidance on many of the most important digital rights issues we advocate for today. But in recent years, we have not seen eye-to-eye on how to best communicate and work together, and we have been unable to agree on a way forward with Gilmore in a governance role. That is why the EFF Board of Directors has recently made the difficult decision to vote to remove Gilmore from the Board."

      The removed him by electing him to the position of Board Member Emeritus.

    • The article says leaves
      Slashdot says removed
      How did THAT happen?

      The Slashdot summary says removed. Slashdotters themselves seem to think he was "cancelled" for ${insert_woke_reason_here}

  • by phantomfive ( 622387 ) on Sunday October 24, 2021 @12:48AM (#61921427) Journal

    He also created DHCP (at least, its predecessor). He is the one who said, "The Net interprets censorship as damage and routes around it."

  • good people (Score:5, Insightful)

    by Tom ( 822 ) on Sunday October 24, 2021 @12:51AM (#61921437) Homepage Journal

    He's also an amazing person. I've met him a few times, worked with him when we tried to create EFF Europe (which never really went anywhere, sadly, but we kick-started a closer cooperation of the various national EFFs, at least that. Some of the things he told me are still in my mind today. Whatever they disagree about, it's always sad to see great people take a step down.

    But I'm certain he won't kick back in his lounge chair at his pool drinking cocktails, because he could've done that decades ago if it were his nature.

    So we'll be seing you around, John. Take care.

  • by phantomfive ( 622387 ) on Sunday October 24, 2021 @12:54AM (#61921443) Journal

    in recent years, we have not seen eye-to-eye on how to best communicate and work together, and we have been unable to agree on a way forward with Gilmore in a governance role.

    Does that mean he wanted to only use PGP encrypted email, and everyone else wanted to use Slack?

    If that's the case, then I'm on his side.

    • they are not secure (Score:5, Informative)

      by johnjones ( 14274 ) on Sunday October 24, 2021 @01:59AM (#61921495) Homepage Journal

      it looks like they use teams and their email is set to use outlook...

      I repeat someone who thinks they know about privacy uses Office365...
      their email domain does not support DNSSEC and mailserver uses TLS 1.0 with no TLS Authentication record (TLSA)

      the website:
      https://www.eff.org/about/staff

      still allows use of AES128-SHA and has no DNSSEC

      this is pretty basic stuff I would have a problem with.

  • Is he 76? (Score:5, Informative)

    by presearch ( 214913 ) on Sunday October 24, 2021 @01:10AM (#61921463)

    His Wikipedia article says he was born in 1955, making him 66.

  • by Paxton ( 24233 ) on Sunday October 24, 2021 @02:48AM (#61921529)

    "He's also apparently Slashdot user #35,813 (though he hasn't posted a comment since 2004)."

    35,913... NOOB

  • goes from Gilmore to Gilless.
  • The summary repeats his age (incorrectly), but what does that have to do with it? Is the implication that he was getting too old? We don't usually cite a person's age if it's not a significant part of the story (like "Xx Yy dies, aged 146").

  • by waspleg ( 316038 ) on Sunday October 24, 2021 @04:04PM (#61922797) Journal

    Stallman [eff.org]. This is a group that very obviously has had their leadership replaced by woke SJW asshats.

    I don't know fuck all about Gilmore, but them not seeing eye to eye is likely due to their change of course away from their purpose and towards politics.

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