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About Mike Benz
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Mike Benz is a former U.S. Department of State official and the Executive Director of the Foundation for Freedom Online (FFO), a non-profit organization focused on free speech and digital rights. He is known for his views on government-sponsored censorship and his allegations regarding USAID's operations.
Benz served in the Trump administration, where he was responsible for the cyber portfolio at the U.S. Department of State, specifically as Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Communications and Information Technology.
In this role, he was responsible for formulating and negotiating U.S. foreign policy on international communications and information technology matters, and interacting with private industry and civil society in the Big Tech space.
As the Executive Director of the Foundation for Freedom Online, Benz advocates for a free and open internet and works as a free speech watchdog.
He has discussed how governments may justify and fund censorship, spying, and surveillance, particularly under the guise of counter-terrorism.
Benz has alleged that the U.S. actively interferes in the domestic politics of various nations, including India and Bangladesh, through media influence, social media censorship, and funding of opposition movements.
He has claimed that the U.S. State Department influenced major tech companies to curb certain content.
His claims about USAID operating as a front for intelligence activities have gained attention from figures like Elon Musk.
Recently, he participated in a discussion with Secretary of State Marco Rubio about dismantling censorship bureaucracy at the State Department.
Additionally, another Mike Benz was appointed Managing Director of Commercial Real Estate (CRE) Revenue at SitusAMC, a real estate finance industry firm, effective May 2025