The Free Software Foundation has scheduled a global encryption and privacy-focused event called EncryptFest for Sunday, October 25, 2026, running from 13:00 to 15:00 Eastern Daylight Time (17:00 to 19:00 UTC). The gratis event will be divided into two main parts, addressing bulk surveillance and providing practical cryptographic tooling.
Registration for the event is currently open. Attendees can participate virtually or in person at three designated locations: the Boston Public Library’s Copley Square branch in Boston, Massachusetts, or MakeHaven located at 770 Chapel Street in New Haven, Connecticut. Executive director Zoë Kooyman will introduce the programming.
Discussions on Surveillance and Cryptographic Defense
The first segment of EncryptFest features a discussion on bulk surveillance and how encryption safeguards personal privacy. Participants will also view a video presentation by renowned cryptographer Bruce Schneier. The event highlights that bulk surveillance violates fundamental rights and makes free speech dangerous, positioning end-to-end encryption and metadata shielding as essential counters to unauthorized data harvesting.
Following the introductory discussions, the event transitions into a concrete technical workshop. Facilitators will walk attendees through email cryptography using the FSF’s Email Self-Defense guide. Participants will learn how to configure and deploy GNU Privacy Guard (GPG) to encrypt electronic mail sent to friends, family, and colleagues.
Prerequisites and Client Recommendations
Attendees participating in the hands-on GPG session need only a computer and an active email account. For users running GNU/Linux distributions, the FSF encourages installing Icedove—a community fork of the Thunderbird email client—prior to the start of the workshop. Knowledgeable staff and volunteers will be on hand both online and at the physical venues to troubleshoot configuration hurdles and guide users through key generation.
The foundation is actively seeking volunteers who are already proficient with GPG or who have utilized the ESD guide. Individuals interested in assisting fellow attendees can contact the organizing team via email with a specific subject line. Sponsorship opportunities for the event remain open for organizations wishing to support digital autonomy initiatives.
