On July 24, the U.S. State Department introduced the Freedom Tech Excellence Program (FTEP), designed to protect digital rights and promote responsible AI regulation. This initiative will see employees from collaborating organizations working with the department on key issues such as online free speech, privacy technologies, counter-surveillance measures, and artificial intelligence challenges. Among the founding partners are the Bitcoin Policy Institute, defense firms Palantir Technologies and Anduril Industries, along with the Memorial Fund for Victims of Communism.