Center for Democracy and Technology

The Octopus Conference 2026, an annual gathering organised by the Center for Democracy and Technology focused on surveillance, encryption and technology policy, is drawing attention ahead of next year's edition. The conference brings together policymakers, technologists and civil society groups to debate issues including lawful access to encrypted data, AI governance and digital rights. Observers expect debates over encryption and government surveillance to again take centre stage.

The Center for Democracy and Technology has published an op-ed arguing that efforts to make the internet safer must not bypass democratic processes. The piece contends that online safety measures should be pursued through transparent, accountable policymaking rather than shortcuts that sideline public debate and oversight, warning that rushed rules risk undermining fundamental rights while attempting to curb online harms.

The Center for Democracy and Technology is holding its Privacy + Security Forum Fall Academy, a program focused on privacy law, data protection and security policy. The event brings together professionals, regulators and researchers for training and discussion on current debates in privacy and cybersecurity. It forms part of the forum's regular cycle of academic and policy-focused sessions.

The Center for Democracy and Technology has issued its EU Tech Policy Brief for September 2026, a regular roundup tracking European Union developments on technology regulation. The brief summarises current EU policy activity in areas such as digital rules and platform oversight. Beyond the publication itself, no specific findings or reactions are detailed in the available information.

The States United Democracy Center has released a new piece, 'What Voters Deserve From AI,' examining how artificial intelligence is being used in election contexts and what safeguards voters should expect. The discussion, framed as 'closing the gap,' focuses on the risks AI poses to election information and the steps needed to protect democratic processes as the technology spreads.