On July 24, the U.S. State Department launched the Freedom Tech Excellence Program (FTEP), an initiative aimed at safeguarding digital rights and ensuring responsible AI regulation. Employees from partner organizations will collaborate with the department on issues related to online free speech, privacy technologies, countering surveillance, and artificial intelligence concerns. Co-founders of the program include the Bitcoin Policy Institute (BPI), defense contractors Palantir Technologies and Anduril Industries, as well as the Memorial Fund for Victims of Communism.