New Delhi / San Francisco, September 11th, 2025: Software Freedom Law Center, India (SFLC.in), India’s pioneering non-profit working at the intersection of law, technology, and digital rights, has been awarded the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) Award 2025 for Defending Digital Freedoms. The recognition, announced at the annual EFF Awards Ceremony in San Francisco on September 10, 2025, celebrates SFLC.in’s tireless advocacy for online civil liberties, privacy, and open access to knowledge.
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) is a global non-profit that has, since 1990, championed digital rights through landmark legal victories on privacy, free expression, and innovation. Its annual awards recognise individuals and organisations worldwide who have made transformative contributions to protecting freedoms in the digital age.
In India, SFLC.in has been at the forefront of this work for over 15 years. Founded in 2010 by technology lawyer and activist Mishi Choudhary, the organisation has taken on issues such as internet shutdowns, online harassment, privacy in emerging technologies, and equitable access to digital spaces, while building a strong network of lawyers, technologists, and policy experts to safeguard citizens’ digital rights.
From tracking internet shutdowns across India and campaigning for freedom of speech, to advocating for stronger privacy frameworks in AI regulations, SFLC.in has consistently defended the rights of technology users. Its Digital Defenders Network has created a pan-India coalition of lawyers committed to protecting online freedom, while its digital security training empowers citizens to navigate the internet safely.
The organisation’s work has also included landmark litigation on freedom of expression, petitions to the Government of India on key digital rights issues, and impactful campaigns pressing global tech platforms to adopt user-centric practices. Notably, SFLC.in was among the first to highlight how certain social media features could be misused for harassment, pushing for platform-level accountability and safer digital ecosystems.
Accepting the award, SFLC.in dedicated the honour to India’s digital rights community, stating: “This award is a recognition of the collective struggle of countless lawyers, activists, technologists, and citizens who believe that technology must serve people, not the other way around. We remain committed to safeguarding digital freedoms for every Indian, ensuring that the internet stays open, inclusive, and secure.”
With this global recognition, SFLC.in joins an esteemed roster of past EFF Award laureates who have reshaped the digital rights landscape worldwide. The organisation now aims to expand its awareness programs on AI, cybersecurity, and digital inclusion, while continuing to support communities most vulnerable to digital exclusion and surveillance.