Apple security expert moves to ACLU as 'public interest tech' builds

[InfoSec News <alerts () infosecnews org>]

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-aclu-apple/apple-security-expert-moves-to-aclu-as-public-interest-tech-builds-idUSKBN1O32LY

By Joseph Menn
Reuters
12/04/2018

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - A senior Apple Inc security expert left for a 
much lower-paying job at the American Civil Liberties Union this week, the 
latest sign of increasing activity on policy issues by Silicon Valley 
privacy specialists and other engineers.

Jon Callas, who led a team of hackers breaking into pre-release Apple 
products to test their security, started Monday in a two-year role as 
technology fellow at the ACLU. Prior to his latest stint at Apple, Callas 
designed an encryption system to protect data on Macs and co-founded 
communications companies Silent Circle, Blackphone and PGP Corp.

"Jon has unparalleled knowledge about the hazards of surveillance back 
doors and is also an extremely effective communicator to the public, which 
is equally important," said Ben Wizner, director of the ACLU’s Speech, 
Privacy and Technology Project.

Wizner said he expects Callas to help the group resist governments 
demanding access to company platforms for surveillance of users and to 
weigh in on issues including fairness and transparency in artificial 
intelligence.

[...]

--
Subscribe to InfoSec News
https://www.infosecnews.org/subscribe-to-infosec-news/
https://twitter.com/infosecnews_