San Francisco, California – The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) mourns the loss of Mark Klein, a courageous whistleblower who exposed a massive spying program that infringed on the privacy rights of countless Americans. Klein, a former AT&T technician, risked legal consequences to reveal the truth about the National Security Agency’s (NSA) surveillance activities.
During his 22-year career at AT&T, most of which was spent in San Francisco, Klein never imagined he would become a key figure in the fight for privacy rights. However, his strong sense of morality and dedication to privacy led him to take a stand against the unlawful surveillance program.
In late 2005, when the New York Times disclosed the NSA’s domestic spying efforts, Klein realized that he had firsthand knowledge of the operation. Armed with evidence, he reached out to EFF in early 2006 to share his concerns about privacy violations. His revelation of a secret NSA room, Room 641A, in AT&T’s central office in San Francisco, where Internet data was intercepted, sparked a legal battle against the government’s surveillance practices.
With over one hundred pages of authenticated documents and schematics in hand, Klein collaborated with EFF to file lawsuits, including Hepting v. AT&T and Jewel v. NSA, challenging the constitutionality of the NSA program. Despite facing threats and opposition, Klein’s bravery inspired a movement demanding an end to mass surveillance.
Although Congress and the courts have been reluctant to address the issue, Klein’s legacy lives on through ongoing efforts to reform surveillance laws and uphold the right to privacy. As revelations of government surveillance continue, EFF remains committed to advocating for transparency and accountability in the digital age.
Looking ahead, EFF and other advocates plan to push for reforms and ultimately an end to illegal mass surveillance when the law authorizing such activities expires in early 2026. Klein’s unwavering courage serves as a reminder of the importance of defending personal privacy in an increasingly digital world.