State Division launches Freedom Tech Excellence Program with Bitcoin Coverage Institute as a founding companion for digital freedom.
The U.S. Division of State has launched a brand new initiative to convey non-public sector experience into its digital freedom work. The Freedom Tech Excellence Program pairs authorities officers with specialists from expertise corporations and civil society teams.
Bitcoin Coverage Institute confirmed its function as a founding companion within the effort.
This system covers on-line expression, privateness instruments, digital surveillance, and AI governance. Officers body it as a option to strengthen American diplomacy on censorship and authoritarian management overseas.
What the Freedom Tech Excellence Program Covers
FTEP permits non-public sector organizations to ship workers into the State Division for limited-term assignments.
Members maintain their present jobs whereas working alongside senior officers on dwell diplomatic points. The program targets areas the place the division says it lacks ample in-house experience.
Listed priorities embrace First Modification protections in digital areas and countering illegal surveillance. Privateness-enhancing applied sciences comparable to encryption and VPNs additionally fall beneath this system’s scope.
Accountable governance of rising applied sciences, together with AI, rounds out the acknowledged targets. Baby security on-line is included as effectively.
The division describes the association as a two-way change. Personal sector contributors achieve direct perception into overseas coverage and improvement work.
In return, the division positive aspects entry to specialised technical data it might not in any other case have.
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Bitcoin Coverage Institute Joins Founding Accomplice Consortium
Bitcoin Coverage Institute introduced its involvement by a publish on social media platform X.
The group stated BPI workers will obtain assignments to work instantly with State Division specialists. It described the mission as defending digital freedoms in areas beneath authoritarian rule.
We’re proud to announce that BPI is a founding companion within the @StateDept’s new Freedom Tech Excellence Program.
FTEP brings non-public sector specialists like BPI into the State Division to advance diplomatic efforts on key points together with on-line freedom of expression,… pic.twitter.com/0dVONHuI8A
— Bitcoin Coverage Institute (@bitcoinpolicy) July 24, 2026
BPI has argued for years that freedom tech deserves a central place in U.S. overseas coverage.
The group factors to encryption and open financial networks as instruments that defend dissidents and journalists. It additionally cites peculiar residents residing beneath repressive governments as beneficiaries of those applied sciences.
Different founding companions named within the announcement embrace Palantir Applied sciences and Anduril Industries.
The Victims of Communism Memorial Basis additionally joins the consortium. The division stated it’s constructing out a wider group of tech firms, civil society organizations, and suppose tanks.
Freedom Tech DC Summit Set for September
Bitcoin Coverage Institute introduced a associated occasion tied to this system’s launch.
Freedom Tech DC will convey policymakers, builders, and researchers collectively in Washington. The summit runs September 22 by 23, in line with the announcement.
Organizers say the occasion will handle what comes subsequent for freedom tech inside U.S. coverage circles.
BPI framed the FTEP partnership as an early step in a broader dialog. It stated discussions round encryption and financial networks in overseas coverage are simply starting.
The division has not detailed particular assignments or timelines for FTEP contributors. It additionally has not acknowledged what number of organizations will finally be part of the consortium.
Additional particulars on this system’s scope could emerge forward of the September summit.