Kurt Opsahl
@kurtopsahl.bsky.social
AGC for Cybersecurity & Civil Liberties Policy at Filecoin Foundation, former Deputy ED and GC of EFF, now EFF Special Counsel, affiliate of BKC Harvard, board emeritus USENIX, advisor Open Archive, former Technical Advisory Council CISA. Skeets are my own
Reposted by Kurt Opsahl
Explore Cypherpunk Congress expert recommendations: @evacide.bsky.social x @eff.org
Books:
"IBM and the Holocaust" by Edwin Black
"Your Face Belongs to U"s by @kashhill.bsky.social
"The Hank Show" by @mckenziefunk.com
Apps: I’ve also had fun playing around with @germnetwork.com recently.
1/
Books:
"IBM and the Holocaust" by Edwin Black
"Your Face Belongs to U"s by @kashhill.bsky.social
"The Hank Show" by @mckenziefunk.com
Apps: I’ve also had fun playing around with @germnetwork.com recently.
1/
November 11, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Explore Cypherpunk Congress expert recommendations: @evacide.bsky.social x @eff.org
Books:
"IBM and the Holocaust" by Edwin Black
"Your Face Belongs to U"s by @kashhill.bsky.social
"The Hank Show" by @mckenziefunk.com
Apps: I’ve also had fun playing around with @germnetwork.com recently.
1/
Books:
"IBM and the Holocaust" by Edwin Black
"Your Face Belongs to U"s by @kashhill.bsky.social
"The Hank Show" by @mckenziefunk.com
Apps: I’ve also had fun playing around with @germnetwork.com recently.
1/
Reposted by Kurt Opsahl
Marion County agrees to pay out $3M for newspaper raid, expresses regret. Editor says court cases against city continue #ksleg
Marion County agrees to pay out $3M for newspaper raid, expresses regret • Kansas Reflector
A handful of county-level officials who were involved in a small-town Kansas newspaper raid in 2023 will pay a cumulative $3 million to three journalists and a city councilor.
kansasreflector.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Marion County agrees to pay out $3M for newspaper raid, expresses regret. Editor says court cases against city continue #ksleg
Reposted by Kurt Opsahl
The spyware that is now in ICE's hands has been (by another government) against journalists and activists in Italy, as well as a top CEO, and a political consultant. Matteo Renzi, Italy's former prime minister, calls it the Italian Watergate. Now it's landed here: www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Tech giants vow to defend users in US as spyware companies make inroads with Trump administration
Apple and WhatsApp say they will keep warning users if their phones are targeted by governments using hacking software against them
www.theguardian.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:22 PM
The spyware that is now in ICE's hands has been (by another government) against journalists and activists in Italy, as well as a top CEO, and a political consultant. Matteo Renzi, Italy's former prime minister, calls it the Italian Watergate. Now it's landed here: www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Reposted by Kurt Opsahl
If you have not seen it yet, @alilleybrinker.com posted a fantastic and thoughtful article on memory safety. 🔐
queue.acm.org/detail.cfm?i...
queue.acm.org/detail.cfm?i...
Memory Safety for Skeptics - ACM Queue
queue.acm.org
November 10, 2025 at 9:37 PM
If you have not seen it yet, @alilleybrinker.com posted a fantastic and thoughtful article on memory safety. 🔐
queue.acm.org/detail.cfm?i...
queue.acm.org/detail.cfm?i...
Reposted by Kurt Opsahl
UPDATE: NSO just hired former Trump ambassador to Israel.
They're trying to push Pegasus spyware to 🇺🇸America.
Your rights and freedoms are in danger.
NSO Group is no friend to the US & has spent years undermining our security & values 1/
They're trying to push Pegasus spyware to 🇺🇸America.
Your rights and freedoms are in danger.
NSO Group is no friend to the US & has spent years undermining our security & values 1/
November 9, 2025 at 10:05 PM
UPDATE: NSO just hired former Trump ambassador to Israel.
They're trying to push Pegasus spyware to 🇺🇸America.
Your rights and freedoms are in danger.
NSO Group is no friend to the US & has spent years undermining our security & values 1/
They're trying to push Pegasus spyware to 🇺🇸America.
Your rights and freedoms are in danger.
NSO Group is no friend to the US & has spent years undermining our security & values 1/
“This case, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, is about a sandwich.” www.nbcnews.com/politics/jus...
Jury acquits D.C. 'sandwich guy' charged with chucking a sub at a federal agent
Sean Dunn faced a single misdemeanor after federal grand jurors refused to indict him on the felony charge sought by prosecutors.
www.nbcnews.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:05 PM
“This case, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, is about a sandwich.” www.nbcnews.com/politics/jus...
Reposted by Kurt Opsahl
Former FTC chair Lina Khan was just named to NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani's transition team—just one sign that his new administration will take tech matters seriously, writes Rebecca Williams. She offers a tech agenda for the new mayor to advance his campaign goals:
Mayor-Elect Mamdani Can Build a Tech Agenda for New York and a Model for the Country | TechPolicy.Press
By resisting surveillance, extraction, and exploitation, Mamdani can show how technology truly serves the people, writes Rebecca Williams.
www.techpolicy.press
November 5, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Former FTC chair Lina Khan was just named to NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani's transition team—just one sign that his new administration will take tech matters seriously, writes Rebecca Williams. She offers a tech agenda for the new mayor to advance his campaign goals:
Reposted by Kurt Opsahl
ICYMI: A little-known algorithmic process called “differential privacy” helps keep census data anonymous. Conservatives want it gone. But experts say differential privacy is a "punching bag" to excuse redoing the census--a long-term right wing goal
@wired.com
www.wired.com/story/republ...
@wired.com
www.wired.com/story/republ...
The Republican Plan to Reform the Census Could Put Everyone’s Privacy at Risk
A little-known algorithmic process called “differential privacy” helps keep census data anonymous. Conservatives want it gone.
www.wired.com
October 30, 2025 at 10:16 PM
ICYMI: A little-known algorithmic process called “differential privacy” helps keep census data anonymous. Conservatives want it gone. But experts say differential privacy is a "punching bag" to excuse redoing the census--a long-term right wing goal
@wired.com
www.wired.com/story/republ...
@wired.com
www.wired.com/story/republ...
Extra frickin’ innings. ⚾️
October 28, 2025 at 3:52 AM
Extra frickin’ innings. ⚾️
Reposted by Kurt Opsahl
"Cybercrime exhibit at Vegas Mob Museum tracks real-time attacks. "Digital Underworld" features decades-old hacking tools, along with a live cyberthreat map."
mashable.com/article/cybe...
mashable.com/article/cybe...
Vegas Mob Museum explores the rise of organized cybercrime
A new exhibit at the Las Vegas Mob Museum explores the rise and proliferation of organized cybercrime.
mashable.com
October 26, 2025 at 9:45 PM
"Cybercrime exhibit at Vegas Mob Museum tracks real-time attacks. "Digital Underworld" features decades-old hacking tools, along with a live cyberthreat map."
mashable.com/article/cybe...
mashable.com/article/cybe...
Reposted by Kurt Opsahl
EFF is fighting for your rights to:
Speak and learn online, free from government censorship 🗣️
Move through the world without being surveilled 📸
Use your device without it tracking your every click and IRL movement 🤳
But we need your help to Take Back CTRL. supporters.eff.org/donate/tbc
Speak and learn online, free from government censorship 🗣️
Move through the world without being surveilled 📸
Use your device without it tracking your every click and IRL movement 🤳
But we need your help to Take Back CTRL. supporters.eff.org/donate/tbc
Defend Privacy and Free Speech
Don’t let tyrants co-opt tech. Join EFF and help fight back.
supporters.eff.org
October 25, 2025 at 7:00 PM
EFF is fighting for your rights to:
Speak and learn online, free from government censorship 🗣️
Move through the world without being surveilled 📸
Use your device without it tracking your every click and IRL movement 🤳
But we need your help to Take Back CTRL. supporters.eff.org/donate/tbc
Speak and learn online, free from government censorship 🗣️
Move through the world without being surveilled 📸
Use your device without it tracking your every click and IRL movement 🤳
But we need your help to Take Back CTRL. supporters.eff.org/donate/tbc
Reposted by Kurt Opsahl
Senator Ron Wyden calls on the Internet Society community to 📣 "GET LOUD" 📣 this Global Encryption Day!
"Get loud because you are the glue that holds the Internet together." - @wyden.senate.gov
Thank you for fighting for the Internet to give power to the powerless and a voice to the voiceless!
"Get loud because you are the glue that holds the Internet together." - @wyden.senate.gov
Thank you for fighting for the Internet to give power to the powerless and a voice to the voiceless!
Encryption Matters: In Conversation with Sally Wentworth and US Senator Ron Wyden
YouTube video by Internet Society
www.youtube.com
October 21, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Senator Ron Wyden calls on the Internet Society community to 📣 "GET LOUD" 📣 this Global Encryption Day!
"Get loud because you are the glue that holds the Internet together." - @wyden.senate.gov
Thank you for fighting for the Internet to give power to the powerless and a voice to the voiceless!
"Get loud because you are the glue that holds the Internet together." - @wyden.senate.gov
Thank you for fighting for the Internet to give power to the powerless and a voice to the voiceless!
Reposted by Kurt Opsahl
🔐 Today is Global Encryption Day! Strong encryption keeps journalists, marginalized communities, businesses, and all of us safe online.
📢 TUNE IN NOW: Join CDT at the Encryption Summit 2025 — A Shield in Uncertain Times starting today at 11 AM ET: cdt.org/event/the-en...
📢 TUNE IN NOW: Join CDT at the Encryption Summit 2025 — A Shield in Uncertain Times starting today at 11 AM ET: cdt.org/event/the-en...
October 21, 2025 at 5:30 PM
🔐 Today is Global Encryption Day! Strong encryption keeps journalists, marginalized communities, businesses, and all of us safe online.
📢 TUNE IN NOW: Join CDT at the Encryption Summit 2025 — A Shield in Uncertain Times starting today at 11 AM ET: cdt.org/event/the-en...
📢 TUNE IN NOW: Join CDT at the Encryption Summit 2025 — A Shield in Uncertain Times starting today at 11 AM ET: cdt.org/event/the-en...
By the way, every single one of my posts was off the record. Many of you are not journalists, so it’s weird saying that but just letting you know.
October 21, 2025 at 6:12 AM
By the way, every single one of my posts was off the record. Many of you are not journalists, so it’s weird saying that but just letting you know.
In accordance with prophecy, customer loyalty programs use your data to get the most money from your pocket. wapo.st/477Ly1X
Column | The hidden way using a rewards card can cost you more
Starbucks tracked my every purchase — then gave me fewer deals. It’s called surveillance pricing.
wapo.st
October 18, 2025 at 8:57 PM
In accordance with prophecy, customer loyalty programs use your data to get the most money from your pocket. wapo.st/477Ly1X
Reposted by Kurt Opsahl
"The suit contends that the government is using AI and other methods to watch the social media posts of virtually every single non-citizen who is in the United States legally and on a valid visa, as well as many people who have obtained permanent resident status."
techcrunch.com/2025/10/16/e...
techcrunch.com/2025/10/16/e...
EFF, unions sue Trump administration over alleged mass social media surveillance of legal residents | TechCrunch
The lawsuit, filed in federal court, alleges the Trump administration is monitoring and punishing non-citizens who express social media views that the government disfavors.
techcrunch.com
October 17, 2025 at 2:49 AM
"The suit contends that the government is using AI and other methods to watch the social media posts of virtually every single non-citizen who is in the United States legally and on a valid visa, as well as many people who have obtained permanent resident status."
techcrunch.com/2025/10/16/e...
techcrunch.com/2025/10/16/e...
Reposted by Kurt Opsahl
"Stanford's Pfefferkorn warns that while US tech companies are not state-controlled, they have in her view become 'happy handmaidens' when it comes to 'repressing free speech and dissent.'"
www.wired.com/story/apple-...
www.wired.com/story/apple-...
Apple Took Down These ICE-Tracking Apps. The Developers Aren't Giving Up
“We are going to do everything in our power to fight this,” says ICEBlock developer Joshua Aaron after Apple removed his app from the App Store.
www.wired.com
October 10, 2025 at 11:48 PM
"Stanford's Pfefferkorn warns that while US tech companies are not state-controlled, they have in her view become 'happy handmaidens' when it comes to 'repressing free speech and dissent.'"
www.wired.com/story/apple-...
www.wired.com/story/apple-...
Reposted by Kurt Opsahl
Protecting your privacy doesn't have to be scary. Check out our Surveillance Self-Defense guides for step-by-step tutorials for keeping your data and devices secure. ssd.eff.org/
Surveillance Self-Defense
We’re the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a member-supported non-profit working to protect online privacy for over thirty-five years. This is Surveillance Self-Defense: our expert guide to protecting you and your friends from online spying.
Read the BASICS to find out how online surveillance works. Dive into our TOOL GUIDES for instructions...
ssd.eff.org
October 10, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Protecting your privacy doesn't have to be scary. Check out our Surveillance Self-Defense guides for step-by-step tutorials for keeping your data and devices secure. ssd.eff.org/
Reposted by Kurt Opsahl
Are you a lawyer? Do you enjoy working on small teams tackling big things? We’re hiring a senior counsel.
jobs.gem.com/bluesky/am9i...
jobs.gem.com/bluesky/am9i...
Bluesky Jobs
Bluesky Jobs
jobs.gem.com
October 9, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Are you a lawyer? Do you enjoy working on small teams tackling big things? We’re hiring a senior counsel.
jobs.gem.com/bluesky/am9i...
jobs.gem.com/bluesky/am9i...
Reposted by Kurt Opsahl
We're so relieved to see Germany reaffirm its opposition to the dangerous Chat Control proposal--the one that would mandate mass scanning of communications. Germany's long been a solid champion of privacy, and the news that it was considering backing mass surveillance was alarming. 1/
October 9, 2025 at 11:40 AM
We're so relieved to see Germany reaffirm its opposition to the dangerous Chat Control proposal--the one that would mandate mass scanning of communications. Germany's long been a solid champion of privacy, and the news that it was considering backing mass surveillance was alarming. 1/
Reposted by Kurt Opsahl
very interesting what is not allowed these days. in this case, basic archiving of real videos
www.404media.co/apple-banned...
www.404media.co/apple-banned...
Apple Banned an App That Simply Archived Videos of ICE Abuses
Eyes Up's purpose is to "preserve evidence until it can be used in court." But it has been swept up in Apple's crackdown on ICE-spotting apps.
www.404media.co
October 8, 2025 at 7:19 PM
very interesting what is not allowed these days. in this case, basic archiving of real videos
www.404media.co/apple-banned...
www.404media.co/apple-banned...
Reposted by Kurt Opsahl
We're seeking passionate law students to join EFF’s legal team as interns! Get involved in fighting for free speech, privacy, and innovation. www.eff.org/about/oppor...
Legal Internship Opportunities
Applications are now open for the Spring 2026 Intern Class, with a deadline of November 1. See below for instructions and a link to the application.EFF’s legal internships provide law students with a
www.eff.org
October 7, 2025 at 8:02 PM
We're seeking passionate law students to join EFF’s legal team as interns! Get involved in fighting for free speech, privacy, and innovation. www.eff.org/about/oppor...
The Security Research Legal Defense Fund is now on the socials, here and Twitter (@SecurityLDF). It's my honor to be on the SRLDF Board with @harleygeiger.bsky.social and Jim Dempsey, and I am proud of the work we've been able to do and help hackers in trouble.
The SRLDF assists ethical hackers with legal representation. If you are an ethical hacker who is facing legal threats for your good faith security research or vulnerability disclosure, reach out to learn more. www.srldf.org
Security Research Legal Defense Fund
We aim to help fund legal representation for persons that face legal issues due to good faith security research and vulnerability disclosure in cases that would advance cybersecurity for the public in...
www.srldf.org
October 2, 2025 at 7:20 PM
The Security Research Legal Defense Fund is now on the socials, here and Twitter (@SecurityLDF). It's my honor to be on the SRLDF Board with @harleygeiger.bsky.social and Jim Dempsey, and I am proud of the work we've been able to do and help hackers in trouble.
Reposted by Kurt Opsahl
The UK is demanding another backdoor in Apple’s encryption. www.ft.com/content/d101...
UK makes new attempt to access Apple cloud data
Order issued in September comes after Trump administration said London had backed down in fight over encryption
www.ft.com
October 1, 2025 at 1:14 PM
The UK is demanding another backdoor in Apple’s encryption. www.ft.com/content/d101...
Reposted by Kurt Opsahl
Vitalik Buterin Warns EU Surveillance Plan Threatens Digital Privacy
https://alecmuffett.com/article/115300
#ChatControl #ClientSideScanning #EndToEndEncryption #VitalikButerin #censorship #privacy #surveilance
https://alecmuffett.com/article/115300
#ChatControl #ClientSideScanning #EndToEndEncryption #VitalikButerin #censorship #privacy #surveilance
Vitalik Buterin Warns EU Surveillance Plan Threatens Digital Privacy
[He] warned that such measures, while framed as child protection, would erode the foundation of digital privacy [and] that any policy claiming to make society safer by weakening individual security…
alecmuffett.com
September 29, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Vitalik Buterin Warns EU Surveillance Plan Threatens Digital Privacy
https://alecmuffett.com/article/115300
#ChatControl #ClientSideScanning #EndToEndEncryption #VitalikButerin #censorship #privacy #surveilance
https://alecmuffett.com/article/115300
#ChatControl #ClientSideScanning #EndToEndEncryption #VitalikButerin #censorship #privacy #surveilance