CV
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Education I studied literature and rhetoric at Berkeley before joining Google in 2006, where I learned the rest.
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Meredith Whittaker is not your typical business leader. As the president of the Signal Foundation, she is a staunch advocate for privacy for all. Her actions speak louder than words. In 2018, she played a key role in organizing the Google walkouts, rallying 20,000 employees to protest against the company’s support for state surveillance and mishandling of sexual misconduct cases.
Despite her years in the public eye, Whittaker remains committed to privacy. She refuses to answer personal questions that could compromise her security, setting a strong example for others to follow. When she left Google, she made it clear that she was dedicated to promoting ethical AI deployment and creating an accountable tech industry.
The Signal Foundation, founded in 2017 with funding from WhatsApp co-founder Brian Acton, aims to protect free expression and enable secure global communication through open-source privacy technology. Whittaker joined as president in 2022, just in time to defend Signal and encryption against attacks from various entities worldwide.
Whittaker believes that encryption is crucial in protecting privacy and free communication. She acknowledges the ongoing challenges and opposition faced by encrypted communications but remains steadfast in her commitment to safeguarding privacy rights. Despite criticisms and disinformation campaigns, she stands firm in her belief that Signal is essential for everyone, from military personnel to CEOs.
Whittaker’s unwavering vision for privacy does not align with the trend of integrating AI into communication platforms. She is proud that Signal does not have an AI strategy, emphasizing the importance of preserving privacy without compromising user data. For Whittaker, maintaining privacy guarantees is non-negotiable, even if it means facing challenges in the ever-evolving landscape of technology and privacy concerns.
