From a vision to protect digital civil rights to a movement shaping technology governance worldwide.
The Digital Civil Rights Coalition was founded in 2019 in response to growing concerns about how emerging technologies-particularly facial recognition, algorithmic decision-making, and biometric surveillance-were being deployed without adequate safeguards for civil liberties.
Our founders recognized a critical gap: while technology companies and law enforcement agencies were rapidly adopting these tools, communities most affected by their misuse had little voice in how they were governed.
DCRC was established to bridge that gap-translating civil and human rights principles into practical governance approaches for high-risk technologies while centering the voices of those most impacted.
"We envision a global world where all people freely, openly, and intentionally exercise digital citizenship."- DCRC Vision Statement
Six years of advancing digital civil rights through research, convenings, and advocacy.
The Digital Civil Rights Coalition is established to address the civil liberties implications of emerging surveillance technologies and algorithmic systems.
DCRC leads a groundbreaking panel examining how technology companies are influencing diversity practices in the legal profession.
Launch of the Necessary Trouble Toolkit, making police accountability structures accessible and actionable for communities.
Begin collaboration with Partnership on AI and Apple on the "Eyes Off My Data" research examining privacy-preserving approaches to algorithmic bias assessment.
Partner with University of Tokyo and Kyoto Law School to host international roundtables on AI governance and cross-border policy challenges.
Host a landmark policy convening at the White House's Eisenhower Executive Office Building on facial recognition technology and civil liberties.
Brief members of the Congressional Black Caucus on the impacts of AI and surveillance technologies on Black communities.
DCRC continues to grow its impact through engagements with the National Black Lobbyists, Illinois State Black Caucus, and international partnerships in Ghana.
As AI and emerging technologies continue to reshape society, DCRC remains committed to ensuring that humanity stays at the core of how technology is designed, governed, and deployed.