Introducing the Ludlow Institute
By Naomi Brockwell, Founder and Director of NBTV
A New Era for Privacy and Digital Rights
Hi everyone!
I’m thrilled to share a major milestone with you: the official launch of the Ludlow Institute, an independent research and media institute dedicated to defending privacy, freedom, and individual autonomy in the digital age.
After years of growth and impact, it’s clear that it’s time for NBTV to take our mission to the next level. With your support, the Ludlow Institute is now a dedicated force in the privacy movement, and NBTV is one of our core projects. With our new, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, we are ready to push boundaries, drive meaningful change, and protect the fundamental rights that are critical in today’s tech-driven world — by advancing privacy and surveillance research, and educating as many people as possible.
Our Incredible Board of Directors and Advisors
I’m beyond excited to have such an incredible group of experts supporting us at the Ludlow Institute, including Phil Zimmermann, creator of Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) and a fierce advocate for privacy rights. Phil didn’t just create groundbreaking tools—he fought to change the course of history during the Crypto Wars, and now, his guidance is helping us tackle the new privacy battle we face today.
Alongside Phil, our amazing board of directors and advisors include many of the original cypherpunks who also fought to protect our right to privacy, including leading experts in cryptography, digital rights, and technology policy. With privacy under greater threat than ever and our digital autonomy at risk, we’ve assembled the best team to fight back. Their experience and commitment ensure that we’re not just prepared—we’re ready to lead the charge in defending privacy and freedom.
I’m beyond excited to have them on board!
Why This Matters
The digital world is evolving faster than ever, and so are the threats to our privacy and freedom. From pervasive surveillance to unchecked data harvesting, we face constant challenges that undermine our fundamental rights. The need for strong, independent organizations dedicated to defending these rights has never been greater.
There are already incredible people doing important work in this space. We want to amplify their efforts and grow this movement even bigger. The Ludlow Institute is perfectly positioned to do so—having built a massive media platform with millions of viewers who are passionate about privacy.
Our mission is simple but vital: to provide the research, education, and advocacy needed to protect privacy and advance freedom through technology. The Ludlow Institute is committed to safeguarding individual rights in the face of mounting digital threats.
We’re not content with just making noise—we are here to make a real difference. The road ahead includes:
More research into the surveillance tech embedded in our everyday devices
Support for privacy tools through research, advocacy, and grant programs
Resources for the community to make informed decisions, including educational content, workshops, and meetups
Privacy is too important for us to slow down. We’re moving forward at full speed, and we need your help to get there.
Become a Ludlow Institute Founding Member
Become part of this exciting journey from the beginning, and consider being a Founding Member with a tax-deductible donation. Your support is instrumental in shaping the future of privacy and digital rights.
Founding Members who gift $100 or more receive:
Access to exclusive invitation-only workshops and regular remote Q&As
A special Founding Member cap as a token of our appreciation
Or consider supporting with a donation of any size: All supporters get access to our supporters-only Signal group and will be added to our Ludlow Supporters Wall of Fame (please let us know if you’d like to be publicly recognized and specify the name you'd like).
As an entirely community-supported organization, your help is critical as we step into this next chapter. Your tax-deductible donation will directly fund our research, advocacy, and education efforts.
Of course, there are many other ways to help us fight the privacy battle. Check out our previous article about all the ways you can contribute advancing privacy in general.
Be part of the movement that will shape the future of digital rights. Together, we can reclaim our digital future. Let’s make privacy a right for everyone, not a privilege for the few.
Visit LudlowInstitute.org/donate to help us launch!
Thanks so much for getting us this far. I’m super excited.
Yours in privacy,
Naomi