Yesterday, I got an incredible opportunity to watch Cindy Cohn bring @eff's story to one of its biggest audiences yet, as she did an extraordinary job on the Daily Show, pulling off the unlikely task of making the topic of digital privacy and civil liberties seem fun, engaging and witty. I took the chance to share some reflections — and a couple of behind-the-scenes photos. https://www.anildash.com/2026/03/31/defending-privacy-daily/
Defending Privacy, Daily

A blog about making culture. Since 1999.

Anil Dash
@eff Bonus: Cindy shouts out Mastodon during this interview!
@anildash @eff sadly, the clips I've seen The Daily Show post on instagram (not sure where else) clip that bit out. Hmmm.

@anildash @eff Jon Stewart often shows the limits of his depth on technology, making for awkward interviews. I don’t mean that to belittle him, I think he has one of the most reliable moral compasses of any public personality.

That said, it was really great to see Cindy draw a clear line between them on a few points. So many people would just drift back to the things they agree on and hand wave the rest. The interview was better for her courage and conviction.

@nick @eff exactly! she has such mastery that she can stay with conviction on that point. And she ended up staying another 20+ minutes afterward to talk through it with him, and he came along to see her point.
@anildash @nick @eff That he genuinely wanted to understand/learn even when it wasn't for air/content is such a nice thing to hear. Thanks for sharing that.
@anildash Now ask Stewart if he'll do a usesthis.com interview.
@anildash
...why does your blog have an undismissable citation overlay for me? (There is an X, but it doesn't work.)