Protect Democracy

Founded Nov 2016 (9 years old)protectdemocracy.org ↗Wiki page →FactBase →

Cross-partisan nonprofit founded in early 2017 to prevent American democracy from declining into a more authoritarian form of government. Led by Ian Bassin (Co-founder and Executive Director). 100+ staff (lawyers, strategists, other professionals). Created the AI for Democracy Action Lab (AI-DAL), which brings together tech innovators, legal/policy experts, software engineers, and nonprofit leaders to defend against AI threats to democracy and develop pro-democracy AI applications. Filed 100+ lawsuits challenging authoritarian actions. In July 2025, sued to block USDA's demand for personal data of millions of Americans, framing it as part of a federal "panopticon" of AI-enabled surveillance. Published "The Authoritarian Playbook for 2025" detailing how authoritarians use technology. Primary intervention types: litigation, legislative advocacy, policy research, technology tools.

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Founded DateNov 2016

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LeadershipIan Bassin serves as Co-founder and Executive Director

Litigation DetailPallek v. Rollins (1:25-cv-01650, D.D.C., Judge Jia M. Cobb) — Plaintiffs include SNAP recipients, MAZON, EPIC. Counsel: National Student Legal Defense Network, Protect Democracy, National Center for Law and Economic Justice. USDA demanded SSNs and addresses of all SNAP recipients since Jan 2020. Plaintiffs filed TRO (July 17, 2025), motion for summary judgment (Aug 29, 2025).

LitigationSued to block USDA's demand for personal data of millions of SNAP recipients, framing it as part of a federal 'panopticon' of AI-enabled surveillance

Employee Count100

ProjectAI for Democracy Action Lab (AI-DAL) — brings together tech innovators, legal/policy experts, software engineers, and nonprofit leaders to defend against AI threats to democracy

Lawsuits Filed100

PublicationThe Authoritarian Playbook for 2025 — published by affiliated 501(c)(4), details how technology amplifies authoritarian tactics. Co-led by Rosa Brooks (Georgetown), Barton Gellman, Nils Gilman. Included tabletop exercises (May-June 2024) simulating authoritarian scenarios.

ProgramVoteShield platform: uses ML to review voter registration databases for unusual changes and malicious activity. Coverage: 120+ million voter records across 24 states (as of March 2023).

Protect Democracy

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Ian Bassin

AI Litigation as Democratic Defense

Brennan Center for Justice

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)

Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF)

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