Under Secretary Sarah Rogers has officially launched a major new initiative aimed at shaping global digital freedom standards. Known as the Freedom Tech Excellence Program (FTEP), this digital freedom partnership brings together tech companies, civil society, and think tanks. The goal is to advance U.S. digital freedom objectives on a global scale.
This public-private partnership marks a significant move in tech diplomacy, signaling a collaborative approach to tackling complex online issues. If you follow international tech policy, the FTEP represents a concrete step where government and industry align to set standards for an open internet. This digital freedom initiative promises to have a direct impact on how technology is governed and used worldwide.
What Is the Freedom Tech Excellence Program (FTEP)?
Building on that vision of an open internet, the Freedom Tech Excellence Program (FTEP) is designed to bring private sector expertise into government to tackle pressing digital rights issues. This digital freedom partnership focuses on four key areas: online expression, privacy-enhancing technologies, responsible AI governance, and countering digital surveillance. By addressing these pillars, FTEP aims to create a more balanced approach to technology policy that respects both innovation and individual freedoms.
Through FTEP, private sector experts will work on digital freedom issues for limited-term assignments within the Department. These assignments are not long-term positions but rather focused stints where professionals from tech companies contribute their hands-on knowledge to specific policy challenges. This arrangement ensures that the Department benefits from current industry practices and emerging trends without requiring permanent restructuring.
How Limited-Term Assignments Will Work
These limited-term assignments are a core feature of the program. They give participating organizations valuable policy insight into how technology regulations are shaped and enforced. For example, a privacy expert might help draft guidelines on data collection, or an AI specialist could advise on ethical frameworks for responsible governance. In return, the Department gains access to cutting-edge knowledge, helping it stay ahead of challenges in areas like digital surveillance and online expression. For you, this means that the policies governing your online privacy, AI use, and freedom of expression are informed by practical, on-the-ground expertise from the tech sector.
Ultimately, FTEP strengthens the digital freedom partnership between government and industry. By combining public oversight with private innovation, the program ensures that digital rights are protected while allowing technology to evolve in a responsible manner. This collaborative approach offers a practical path for addressing complex issues that affect everyone online.
Digital NEXT: Protecting Digital Liberties in the AI Era
Building on that collaborative spirit, Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy Sarah Rogers convened 47 foreign technology policymakers and government representatives from 30 countries for Digital NEXT: Protecting Digital Liberties in the AI Era in San Francisco, California. This event placed the focus squarely on how to safeguard digital rights without stifling innovation—a challenge that directly affects you as a user of AI-powered tools and online services.
The delegation didn’t just talk policy in a conference room. They engaged in tailored dialogues with leading American technology companies to observe firsthand how the U.S. private sector addresses digital freedom challenges. This practical exposure showed delegates concrete alternatives to burdensome regulatory models that can slow down progress. By seeing real-world solutions in action, the policymakers could take back insights on AI governance and international tech policy that balance openness with accountability.
Fireside Chat with Elon Musk, FTC Chairman Ferguson, and Tim Hwang
A capstone fireside chat brought together Elon Musk, FTC Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson, and Tim Hwang for a candid discussion on the future of digital liberties. This conversation highlighted the need for a digital freedom partnership that involves both government and industry—a theme that resonated throughout the entire event. For you, this means that the rules being shaped now will influence how AI tools respect your privacy and autonomy.
Which countries participated? The 30 nations were selected to represent a broad cross-section of global perspectives on AI governance and internet policy. This diversity ensured that the dialogue wasn’t one-sided but reflected the varied challenges different regions face in protecting digital freedoms. The result is a more inclusive framework for international tech policy that avoids the pitfalls of one-size-fits-all regulation.
Inaugural FTEP Partners and Selection Rationale
Building on that inclusive framework, the first partners under the FTEP have been announced. These organizations were chosen for their unique contributions to the digital freedom partnership.
- Palantir Technologies
- Anduril Industries
- Bitcoin Policy Institute
- Victims of Communism Foundation
Each partner brings distinct strengths that align with the FTEP’s goals. Palantir’s expertise in data analytics provides capabilities for tracking digital rights violations. Anduril’s focus on defense technology helps secure online infrastructure. The Bitcoin Policy Institute offers deep knowledge of cryptocurrency policy, which is increasingly tied to digital freedom. The Victims of Communism Foundation brings a human rights perspective, advocating for free expression in restrictive environments.
Why These Organizations Were Chosen
The selection process prioritized organizations with proven track records in their respective fields. By combining these varied skills, the FTEP aims to address digital freedom challenges from multiple angles. For instance, Palantir’s data analytics can identify patterns of censorship, while Anduril’s technology protects against cyber threats. The Bitcoin Policy Institute’s work on cryptocurrency policy highlights the importance of financial privacy in digital freedom. Meanwhile, the Victims of Communism Foundation’s advocacy ensures that human rights remain central to the partnership. Together, these partners form a robust foundation for the digital freedom partnership. You can see how each organization’s role contributes to a broader effort to protect digital rights.
Balancing Child Safety, Free Speech, and Innovation
With that foundation in place, the harder work begins: striking the right balance. Under Secretary Rogers emphasized that protecting children online should not come at the cost of unduly restricting freedom of speech or stifling innovation. It is a nuanced position, and one that matters for anyone who cares about how the internet evolves.
The initiative aims to protect children online without placing unnecessary limits on what people can say or build. That balance is central to FTEP’s approach to the digital freedom partnership. Rather than treating child safety online and open expression as opposing goals, the partnership views them as parts of the same puzzle. You cannot have a healthy digital space if vulnerable users are unsafe, but you also cannot have one if rules become so rigid that creativity and honest conversation disappear.
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This is where responsible AI enters the picture. As automated tools become more common in content moderation, their design will shape how free speech and safety coexist. The goal is to build systems that catch harmful content without overreaching. That means thoughtful design, clear guidelines, and a willingness to adjust as new challenges appear.
For you as a user, this balance has real consequences. It affects what you can post, what you can read, and how protected you feel online. A digital freedom partnership that gets this right can offer both safety and openness. Getting it wrong, in either direction, would leave the internet worse off for everyone. The emphasis from Under Secretary Rogers signals that this is a priority from the top, not an afterthought — and that makes it a development worth following closely.
Measuring Success and Future Participation in FTEP
With the digital freedom partnership now more clearly defined, the next logical question is how its impact will be tracked. The Department is developing success metrics to evaluate FTEP’s effectiveness. These metrics will look at how much insight participating organizations gain into policy impacts, and how the program helps the Department stay ahead of challenges. For you, this means the relationship isn’t just symbolic — it’s built on measurable outcomes that can guide future decisions.
This assessment phase is crucial for program expansion. By understanding what works, the Department can refine the model and invite more organizations to join. The goal is to make FTEP a practical tool that adapts to real-world needs, rather than a static agreement. Future partners, whether nonprofits, private companies, or academic institutions, will benefit from a proven framework that already has a track record of fostering collaboration.
How Other Organizations Can Join FTEP
If your organization is interested in becoming a future partner, the process is designed to be straightforward. The Department has indicated that it will open the program to new participants after evaluating the initial phase. Here’s what you can expect:
- Stay informed: Monitor official announcements from the Department for application windows and eligibility criteria.
- Prepare your input: FTEP values practical insights. Be ready to share how policy changes affect your field or community.
- Engage with the framework: The program is built on mutual benefit — you get early awareness of policy shifts, and the Department gets real-world data to stay ahead of challenges.
This expansion is not just about adding numbers; it’s about building a diverse network that can represent a wide range of perspectives. The digital freedom partnership thrives when many voices contribute, so program growth is a natural step toward a more resilient internet ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Digital Freedom Partnership work in practice for participating countries?
The partnership operates through a mix of technical exchanges, shared policy frameworks, and joint pilot projects. Participating countries get access to a structured playbook for building resilient digital infrastructure, while U.S. agencies provide guidance on threat modeling and secure data handling. You can expect the focus to remain on practical implementation steps, such as auditing existing systems and adopting open standards for interoperability.
What makes the Digital Freedom Partnership different from existing tech cooperation agreements?
Unlike traditional agreements that center on trade or research, this initiative explicitly ties technology deployment to digital rights and governance principles. It brings together private-sector partners, policy experts, and civil society voices in a single framework, which is a departure from government-to-government-only arrangements. The emphasis is on creating a shared set of operational norms rather than just signing a memorandum of understanding.
How will the Digital Freedom Partnership address concerns about surveillance and data privacy?
The initiative is structured around countering digital surveillance by promoting transparent data governance and accountable AI use. It aims to provide clear, actionable guidance on how to implement privacy-preserving technologies, such as encryption and decentralized data storage, without sacrificing security. For you, the practical takeaway is that the partnership will prioritize tools and policies that give individuals more control over their personal information.
