A privacy advocate and activist, apart from being an incredibly smart and charming lady: all this and much more is Liz Steininger, one of our PRIVACY speakers. Liz has a remarkable educational background: M.S. in Management & Technology from Carlow University (2007) and B.S. in Digital Media from Drexel University (2001) in the United States of America. She is CEO/Managing Director of Least Authority in Berlin, a company supporting people’s right to privacy through security consulting and building secure solutions. Prior, she has financially managed Internet freedom related projects at the Open Technology Fund. Liz promises to tell us more about secure cloud storage solutions such as Tahoe-LAFS and the role of cryptocurrency and blockchain projects in this field.
WHO ARE YOU?
A privacy and security advocate in support of open source software that encourages transparency and access to information, along with software that enables individuals to freely express themselves, while retaining the ability to control their own information. She has over 16 years of experience as a Program and Project Manager, Strategist and Analyst working towards these goals.
WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO JOIN THE SPEAKERS’ LIST OF LIBERTYBITS CONFERENCE?
Because I enjoy discussing privacy enhancing technologies, making our projects more secure and networking with people trying to change the world.
WHAT IS YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF “LIBERTY” (FREEDOM) AND WHAT ARE THE MOST UNDERESTIMATED THREATS TO OUR MODERN SOCIETY?
Liberty/freedom is founded on our ability to make informed decisions and be able to choose what we share about ourselves (privacy). I believe that people should be able to control their own data and others access to it. Currently, we lack knowledge and control of our data and the insight it provides. This is an underestimated threat to our modern society. We can only begin to imagine the potential consequences.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO EVERYONE WHO THINKS THAT KEEPING PRIVACY IS IRRELEVANT FOR THEM BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOTHING TO HIDE?
You already hide a lot about yourself in most circumstances. Sometimes you close your window curtains. You don’t invite just anyone to come into your home. You don’t want your neighbors opening your mail. In the analog world, you chose to use your right to privacy daily, so, you do have something to hide, and that doesn’t necessarily mean you are doing something illegal. The difference is you have not been given an equal opportunity to choose what you share in the digital world.
WHAT IS THE EASIEST WAY TO PROTECT OUR PRIVACY IF WE ARE NOT SO TECH-SAVVY PEOPLE?
Educate yourself to start. Then demand more privacy from the tools and services you use. Especially the ones that you give money or data to. Ultimately, you should have the control of your data in every circumstance.
WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS FROM THE CONFERENCE?
To learn, hear new perspectives and meet people I want to keep in touch with.
Thanks a lot, Liz! We are so lucky to have you on board! We at LibertyBits believe that privacy matters more than most people can even realize. If that’s your opinion too and even more so, if you are still in doubt, don’t miss the opportunity to experience Liz Steininger live on 24th April 2018 at Sofia Tech Park!
Take the chance and reserve your seat A.S.A.P. for the second edition of LibertyBits Conference here: