Tarah Wheeler
@tarah.org
CSO of TPO.group ♦️Cyber Policy Initiative Senior Fellow at University of Chicago Harris School ♦️ EFF Board of Directors♦️she/her ♦️ bestselling author but only that one time
Reposted by Tarah Wheeler
At EFF, we were proud to publicly and loudly support the legal profession and, most importantly, continue to do our work challenging the government’s erosion of digital rights—work that became even more critical as many law firms shied away from pro bono work. eff.org/deeplinks/2...
December 25, 2025 at 7:04 PM
At EFF, we were proud to publicly and loudly support the legal profession and, most importantly, continue to do our work challenging the government’s erosion of digital rights—work that became even more critical as many law firms shied away from pro bono work. eff.org/deeplinks/2...
The holidays persist, but so do we.
December 24, 2025 at 2:03 PM
The holidays persist, but so do we.
So I hacked my way into being Cyber Policy Initiative Senior Fellow at the University of Chicago's Harris School of Public Policy. Working on rural water critical infrastructure cybersecurity.
Hey, ma, look! I *finally* got into University of Chicago. :D
cpi.harris.uchicago.edu/2025/12/23/h...
Hey, ma, look! I *finally* got into University of Chicago. :D
cpi.harris.uchicago.edu/2025/12/23/h...
Harris Cyber Policy Initiative Taps Top Hacker to Design New Security Model for Water Utilities | Cyber Policy Initiative
cpi.harris.uchicago.edu
December 23, 2025 at 12:36 PM
So I hacked my way into being Cyber Policy Initiative Senior Fellow at the University of Chicago's Harris School of Public Policy. Working on rural water critical infrastructure cybersecurity.
Hey, ma, look! I *finally* got into University of Chicago. :D
cpi.harris.uchicago.edu/2025/12/23/h...
Hey, ma, look! I *finally* got into University of Chicago. :D
cpi.harris.uchicago.edu/2025/12/23/h...
Reposted by Tarah Wheeler
Happy #WinterSolstice ❄️
Today marks the official start of winter in the astronomical calendar.
📷 Instagram | Juncao_Oxford
Today marks the official start of winter in the astronomical calendar.
📷 Instagram | Juncao_Oxford
December 21, 2025 at 9:39 AM
Happy #WinterSolstice ❄️
Today marks the official start of winter in the astronomical calendar.
📷 Instagram | Juncao_Oxford
Today marks the official start of winter in the astronomical calendar.
📷 Instagram | Juncao_Oxford
Reposted by Tarah Wheeler
It’s clear that trans people face unique, advanced, and persistent threats—online and off. Here are some strategies for resisting the tech-enabled violence that trans people face. www.eff.org/deeplinks/2...
Strategies for Resisting Tech-Enabled Violence Facing Transgender
Today's Supreme Court’s ruling in U.S. v. Skrmetti upholding bans on gender-affirming care for youth makes it clear: trans people are under attack. Threats to trans rights and healthcare are coming
www.eff.org
December 20, 2025 at 6:59 PM
It’s clear that trans people face unique, advanced, and persistent threats—online and off. Here are some strategies for resisting the tech-enabled violence that trans people face. www.eff.org/deeplinks/2...
"Only those who have personality and emotions know what it means to want to escape from these things."
~TS Eliot, "Tradition and the Individual Talent"
~TS Eliot, "Tradition and the Individual Talent"
December 6, 2025 at 2:48 PM
"Only those who have personality and emotions know what it means to want to escape from these things."
~TS Eliot, "Tradition and the Individual Talent"
~TS Eliot, "Tradition and the Individual Talent"
Dear Raul Julia: in whatever Elysian Fields you inhabit, I hope you know that the last movie you filmed & the work that you spent your last moments on has become beloved. A classic not just at the holidays, but a primer on how to selflessly and brilliantly love another person to utter distraction.
November 27, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Dear Raul Julia: in whatever Elysian Fields you inhabit, I hope you know that the last movie you filmed & the work that you spent your last moments on has become beloved. A classic not just at the holidays, but a primer on how to selflessly and brilliantly love another person to utter distraction.
I'm just like any modern woman trying to have it all. It's just...I wish I had more time to seek out the dark forces and join their hellish crusade. That's all.
November 27, 2025 at 10:40 PM
I'm just like any modern woman trying to have it all. It's just...I wish I had more time to seek out the dark forces and join their hellish crusade. That's all.
Reposted by Tarah Wheeler
📢 Announcing hacklore.org 📢
It’s time to retire outdated cyber advice! More than 80 cybersecurity veterans have signed an open letter urging a shift from folklore to guidance that actually helps people avoid the most common attacks. 🔐
Blog: medium.com/@boblord/let...
Site: www.hacklore.org
It’s time to retire outdated cyber advice! More than 80 cybersecurity veterans have signed an open letter urging a shift from folklore to guidance that actually helps people avoid the most common attacks. 🔐
Blog: medium.com/@boblord/let...
Site: www.hacklore.org
Stop Hacklore!
hacklore.org
November 24, 2025 at 3:05 PM
📢 Announcing hacklore.org 📢
It’s time to retire outdated cyber advice! More than 80 cybersecurity veterans have signed an open letter urging a shift from folklore to guidance that actually helps people avoid the most common attacks. 🔐
Blog: medium.com/@boblord/let...
Site: www.hacklore.org
It’s time to retire outdated cyber advice! More than 80 cybersecurity veterans have signed an open letter urging a shift from folklore to guidance that actually helps people avoid the most common attacks. 🔐
Blog: medium.com/@boblord/let...
Site: www.hacklore.org
Reposted by Tarah Wheeler
i can get malware on my computer by giving it to my 12yo cousin for a day
and at a fraction of the cost of letting copilot do it
and at a fraction of the cost of letting copilot do it
November 19, 2025 at 3:16 AM
i can get malware on my computer by giving it to my 12yo cousin for a day
and at a fraction of the cost of letting copilot do it
and at a fraction of the cost of letting copilot do it
I do this ish for a living, I am an AI developer and researcher, and *I* don’t fully understand the security implications. What hope do regular users have?
www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/wi...
www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/wi...
Microsoft warns that Windows 11's agentic AI could install malware on your PC: "Only enable this feature if you understand the security implications"
Microsoft is pushing ahead with its plan to add agentic capabilities to Windows 11 but has issued an important security warning for anyone who is interested in trying it out.
www.windowscentral.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:30 PM
I do this ish for a living, I am an AI developer and researcher, and *I* don’t fully understand the security implications. What hope do regular users have?
www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/wi...
www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/wi...
Reposted by Tarah Wheeler
🚨BREAKING NEWS🚨
We're suing the city of San Jose for its pervasive ALPR surveillance program. With nearly 500 ALPRs, the SJPD allows its officers to search millions of records, all without a warrant. These unconstitutional searches must be stopped. Read the complaint: www.eff.org/cases/siren...
We're suing the city of San Jose for its pervasive ALPR surveillance program. With nearly 500 ALPRs, the SJPD allows its officers to search millions of records, all without a warrant. These unconstitutional searches must be stopped. Read the complaint: www.eff.org/cases/siren...
SIREN and CAIR-CA v. San Jose
The San Jose Police Department has blanketed the city’s roadways with nearly five hundred Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPRs). The police department uses this unblinking surveillance network to
www.eff.org
November 18, 2025 at 6:43 PM
🚨BREAKING NEWS🚨
We're suing the city of San Jose for its pervasive ALPR surveillance program. With nearly 500 ALPRs, the SJPD allows its officers to search millions of records, all without a warrant. These unconstitutional searches must be stopped. Read the complaint: www.eff.org/cases/siren...
We're suing the city of San Jose for its pervasive ALPR surveillance program. With nearly 500 ALPRs, the SJPD allows its officers to search millions of records, all without a warrant. These unconstitutional searches must be stopped. Read the complaint: www.eff.org/cases/siren...
I reviewed "Geopolitics at the Internet’s Core" by Fiona Alexander, Laura DeNardis, Ph.D., @nanettelevinson.bsky.social, & Francesca Musiani. It's not a tech spec for Internet Protocol—it's actually a cenotaph for a bygone era of consensus and freedom.
www.tarah.org/2025/11/17/a...
www.tarah.org/2025/11/17/a...
A Cenotaph for Internet Freedom: Reviewing “Geopolitics at the Internet’s Core” – Tarah Wheeler
www.tarah.org
November 17, 2025 at 7:32 PM
I reviewed "Geopolitics at the Internet’s Core" by Fiona Alexander, Laura DeNardis, Ph.D., @nanettelevinson.bsky.social, & Francesca Musiani. It's not a tech spec for Internet Protocol—it's actually a cenotaph for a bygone era of consensus and freedom.
www.tarah.org/2025/11/17/a...
www.tarah.org/2025/11/17/a...
Reposted by Tarah Wheeler
For the second time in two years, Cato has sued the DOJ and FBI for records on their use—and abuse—of FISA Section 702 surveillance. The public deserves to know whether this program protects Americans or targets them.
Cato Sues FBI Over FISA Records, Again
Two things are certain. The first is that the FISA Section 702 program is set to expire in late April 2026. The second is that the kind of public interest FOIA litigation Cato is engaged in on this case...
www.cato.org
November 2, 2025 at 4:36 PM
For the second time in two years, Cato has sued the DOJ and FBI for records on their use—and abuse—of FISA Section 702 surveillance. The public deserves to know whether this program protects Americans or targets them.
Reposted by Tarah Wheeler
Wonderful (but scary) talk by @tarah.org at #bsideschicago25
November 1, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Wonderful (but scary) talk by @tarah.org at #bsideschicago25
Reposted by Tarah Wheeler
Folks, I have a friend's internal hard drive here that is likely still good, but will not mount. There are family photos on it. What are good solutions for this, especially in the Seattle area? I'd like to hand-deliver if possible.
October 20, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Folks, I have a friend's internal hard drive here that is likely still good, but will not mount. There are family photos on it. What are good solutions for this, especially in the Seattle area? I'd like to hand-deliver if possible.
Reposted by Tarah Wheeler
Seattle No Kings from the monorail
October 18, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Seattle No Kings from the monorail
Reposted by Tarah Wheeler
I saw a tragically AI-generated version of this poster, so I have recreated a 100% human-made version for all your protest sign needs.
October 18, 2025 at 4:00 PM
I saw a tragically AI-generated version of this poster, so I have recreated a 100% human-made version for all your protest sign needs.
Reposted by Tarah Wheeler
You know how billionaires end up with severe cognitive deficits as a result of becoming surrounded by yes men who constantly tell them their every idea is genius? What if we made a bot that just does that to everyone. I think that would be a good idea.
October 17, 2025 at 5:00 AM
You know how billionaires end up with severe cognitive deficits as a result of becoming surrounded by yes men who constantly tell them their every idea is genius? What if we made a bot that just does that to everyone. I think that would be a good idea.
Reposted by Tarah Wheeler
Last week 72 outstanding public servants from across Africa begun the fifth AIG Public Leaders Programme, delivered with the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation and led by Professors Emily Jones and Ciaran Martin. 👇
https://ow.ly/ww7g50Xb74u
https://ow.ly/ww7g50Xb74u
72 public servants begin the fifth AIG Public Leaders Programme
The six-month programme equips high-potential African public servants with the skills and values needed to foster excellence, effectiveness and integrity in their institutions through a blend of online and in-person learning.
ow.ly
October 17, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Last week 72 outstanding public servants from across Africa begun the fifth AIG Public Leaders Programme, delivered with the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation and led by Professors Emily Jones and Ciaran Martin. 👇
https://ow.ly/ww7g50Xb74u
https://ow.ly/ww7g50Xb74u
Reposted by Tarah Wheeler
If your protest privacy/security advice does not start with a discussion of threat models, it is probably not good advice.
October 17, 2025 at 6:44 PM
If your protest privacy/security advice does not start with a discussion of threat models, it is probably not good advice.
Reposted by Tarah Wheeler
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:
October 17, 2025 at 8:35 PM
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:
Rayhunter data is very welcome from protests. Please do consider collecting and submitting.
If you are going to a No Kings protest this weekend, be sure to review our Surveillance Self Defense guide for attending a protest and bring Rayhunter along for the ride! ssd.eff.org/module/atte.... eff.org/rayhunter.
Meet Rayhunter: A New Open Source Tool from EFF to Detect Cellular
Rayhunter is a new open source tool we’ve created that runs off an affordable mobile hotspot that we hope empowers everyone, regardless of technical skill, to help search out cell-site simulators
www.eff.org
October 18, 2025 at 1:13 AM
Rayhunter data is very welcome from protests. Please do consider collecting and submitting.