Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC)
OrganizationIndependent nonprofit research center focused on privacy and civil liberties, founded in 1994. Led by Alan Butler (Executive Director and President, since 2020). 97% Charity Navigator score. Runs an AI & Human Rights Project that advocates for transparent, equitable AI regulation through litigation, FOIA requests, legislative advocacy, and comments to decision-makers. Active in housing AI litigation, state AI policy tracking, and commercial AI oversight. Executive Director has testified before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on privacy and AI. Primary intervention types: litigation, advocacy, FOIA requests, legislative testimony.
Facts
11Organization
Founded Date1994
HeadquartersWashington, DC
General
Websitehttp://www.epic.org/
Other
LeadershipAlan Butler serves as Executive Director and President since 2020
ProgramAI & Human Rights Program — advocates for transparent, equitable AI regulation through litigation, FOIA requests, legislative advocacy, and comments to decision-makers
Foia Track RecordPrevailed in FOIA cases against CIA, DHS, Department of Education, FBI, NSA, ODNI, and TSA. EPIC v. DHS led to removal of x-ray body scanners from US airports; EPIC v. NSA resulted in release of NSA cybersecurity authority documents.
PublicationsPublishes multiple books including Privacy in the Modern Age, Privacy Law Sourcebook, Privacy and Human Rights, and Litigation Under the Federal Open Government Laws. Also publishes monthly EPIC Alert newsletter.
LitigationFiled FOIA lawsuit against OPM over DOGE access to federal personnel data containing personal information of millions of current and former federal workers (2025)
Annual Revenue3029134
Executive CompensationPresident Alan Butler received $210,350; Deputy Director Caitriona Fitzgerald received $197,410; Senior Counsel Jeramie Scott received $166,200; Senior Counsel John Davisson received $150,861
Organizational Rating97% Charity Navigator score, 4 stars. 83% of revenue goes to program activity
Other Data
Publications
6 entries| Title | PublicationType | Authors | Url | PublishedDate | IsFlagship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AI Legislation Scorecard | report | Kara Williams, EPIC | epic.org | 2024-06 | — |
| Generating Harms II: Generative AI's New and Continued Impacts | report | EPIC, Calli Schroeder et al. | epic.org | 2024-05 | — |
| Generating Harms: Generative AI's Impact and Paths Forward | report | EPIC, Calli Schroeder et al. | epic.org | 2023-05 | — |
| The AI Policy Sourcebook 2020 | report | Marc Rotenberg (ed.) | archive.epic.org | 2020 | ✓ |
| The AI Policy Sourcebook 2019 | report | Marc Rotenberg (ed.) | archive.epic.org | 2019-09 | ✓ |
| Universal Guidelines for Artificial Intelligence | policy-brief | Marc Rotenberg, EPIC | archive.epic.org | 2018-10 | ✓ |