We were saddened to hear of Mark Klein’s passing. He was a true hero who exposed a major spying operation that violated the rights of millions of Americans.
Mark spent 22 years as a telecommunications technician for AT&T in San Francisco. He always recognized the importance of privacy and had a strong sense of right and wrong.
In 2005, the New York Times revealed that the NSA was spying within the U.S. This news opened Mark’s eyes to the reality he had seen firsthand. He discovered that the President wasn’t being truthful about the program. Shortly after retiring, he walked into the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) with a simple question: “Do you care about privacy?”
We definitely did. What Mark shared with us changed everything. He explained that the NSA had set up a secret room in AT&T’s central office in San Francisco. This room, known as Room 641A, was not just a regular facility; it was designed for covert operations. Mark had seen how it worked and even brought over a hundred pages of evidence, including official schematics.
Mark wasn’t just a whistleblower; he took significant personal risks. After he disclosed this information to EFF, he also reached out to media outlets and Congress. Senator Chris Dodd acknowledged Mark’s courage on the Senate floor, calling him a true American hero.
Thanks to Mark’s brave actions, EFF launched lawsuits against the NSA, including Hepting v. AT&T and Jewel v. NSA. He even traveled to Washington D.C. with EFF to spotlight the issue of unlawful spying. Mark documented his experiences in a book titled Wiring Up the Big Brother Machine . . . And Fighting It.
Despite the risks, including threats of a lawsuit from AT&T, Mark stood up for what was right. While some changes were made, both EFF and Mark faced disappointments as Congress and the judiciary failed to take decisive action against mass surveillance—even after Edward Snowden revealed further details in 2013.
Mark’s bravery inspired countless individuals to stand against illegal surveillance. His actions played a vital role in initiating discussions and reforms related to privacy. The law that currently allows for this surveillance, Section 702, is set to expire in 2026. As advocates, we continue to fight for privacy rights and reforms to ensure that such spying does not continue unchecked.
Mark’s impact is enduring, reminding us of the need to uphold the Fourth Amendment and fight for personal privacy. He demonstrated immense courage, and we honor his legacy by advocating for the rights he stood for.
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