‘Encryption is deeply threatening to power’: Meredith Whittaker of messaging app

[Rudy]

Meredith Whittaker, the president of the Signal Foundation, is a staunch advocate for privacy and secure communication. Known for organizing the Google walkouts in 2018, she has consistently opposed surveillance and the misuse of personal data. The Signal Foundation, founded in 2017 with support from WhatsApp co-founder Brian Acton, aims to protect free expression and secure global communication through open-source privacy technology. Under Whittaker's leadership, Signal has faced increasing scrutiny and legislative challenges but remains committed to its privacy-first principles. Whittaker argues that the fight for privacy is crucial against a backdrop of widespread surveillance and disinformation campaigns. She firmly believes that encryption is essential for privacy and that Signal should work for everyone or no one. Despite the popularity of AI, Whittaker remains cautious about its integration with Signal, prioritizing user privacy above all else.

Theguardian.com