Emma Llansó

Director, Free Expression Project

Emma Llansó was the Director of CDT’s Free Expression Project, where she worked to promote law and policy that support Internet users’ free expression rights in the United States, Europe, and around the world. Emma’s work spanned many subjects, including human trafficking, privacy and online harassment, online child safety, terrorist propaganda, and disinformation. In particular, she focused on the capabilities and limitations of machine learning techniques and other forms of automation in content moderation and analysis of online speech.

Emma led CDT’s work focused on protecting fundamental rights to freedom of expression and preserving strong intermediary liability protections as a core element of legal frameworks that support free expression online. This work included legislative advocacy, amicus activity, and engagement in multistakeholder initiatives. Emma frequently shared her expertise on panels, roundtables, and other events, as well as through interviews in print, radio, television, and online.

Emma also works with user-generated content services and other stakeholders to develop content policy best practices, including meaningful transparency, appeals, and remedy procedures. Among other projects, Emma was deeply involved in the development of the Santa Clara Principles on Transparency and Accountability in Content Moderation.

Emma is a member of the Freedom Online Coalition Advisory Network, the Christchurch Call Advisory Network, and has served on the Board of the Global Network Initiative. Emma also represents CDT on the Twitch Safety Advisory Council and the Twitter Trust & Safety Council.

Emma earned a B.A. in anthropology from the University of Delaware and a J.D. from Yale Law School, and is a member of the New York State Bar. Emma joined CDT in 2009.