October 10, 2017
Hosted by GW Libraries and Academic Innovation, Privacy Week, running November 13-17, is a series of talks, workshops, and panels that explore privacy in the digital age. Open to the GW community and the general public, the events focus on responding to cyber violence, surveillance, data collection and dissemination, and secure and encrypted technologies. Featuring the GW Law International Human Rights Clinic, the Electronic Privacy Information Center, and the Electronic Frontier Foundation.
Events
Pulling the Plug on Cyber Violence
Tuesday, November 15, 2017 | 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Gelman Library, Room 219
Students of the GW Law International Human Rights Clinic present an interactive workshop intended to help young adults understand the aspects, prevalence, and impact of cyber-violence. The workshop features helpful tips on preventing cyber-violence as well as information on resources available to those who may experience cyber-violence.
The ‘Employer Big Brother’ and Social Media Privacy in the Workplace: Examining the Regulatory Challenges in China
Wednesday, November 15, 2017 | 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Gelman Library, Room 702
Dr. Mimi Zou is Edwards Fellow in Chinese Law at Columbia Law School. She is also a Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales and Lawyer admitted in New South Wales. Dr. Zou will present a talk based on her forthcoming article: “The ‘Employer Big Brother’ and Social Media Privacy in the Workplace: Examining the Regulatory Challenges in China.”
Understanding Encryption
Thursday, November 16, 2017 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Gelman Library, Room 219
The term "encryption" is thrown around almost as frequently as "cyber" in discussions of privacy and policy. But what exactly is it, and why is it necessary for modern technology?
Encryption will keep networks hackers from your credit card information, and protect the contents of a stolen laptop. It lets journalists protect sources, and protects some parts of web browsing history from prying eyes. It's a core functionality of modern life.
Yet despite its ubiquity, its secrets seem reserved for experts. But achieving a foundational understanding doesn't require a PhD in cryptography. In this talk, Erica Portnoy, staff technologist with the Electronic Frontier Foundation, will cover the basics of the hows and whys of encryption. What are the different places where encryption is used, and how do they differ? What can encryption protect you from? What surprising things are actually possible, and why do they work? What are the hard problems, and where do the protections of encryption break in practice?
Workshop: Working with Secure Technologies
Thursday, November 16, 2017 | 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Gelman Library, Room 201 (STEMworks)
Building off Understanding Encryption, this hour long workshop will provide an introduction to tools at your disposal to keep your digital life secure and private. There is much discussion taking place about why privacy matters in digital contexts. After a brief overview about what information is being collected, by whom, and for what purpose, we’ll learn about various technologies that will help you protect your and others’ data. You’ll leave with an understanding of how to integrate secure technologies into your personal computing habits.
Rare Book Friday: Surveillance and Subversion
Friday, November 17, 2017 | 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Gelman Library, Room 219
A pop-up exhibit of original and unique artifacts, books, and documents from the GW Libraries Special Collection Research Center will be on display. The materials will document and relate to themes of privacy, surveillance, censorship, and creative subversive acts of resistance to these issues through history.