The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has recently announced the addition of two esteemed individuals to its Board of Directors. Tadayoshi "Yoshi" Kohno, a well-known security researcher and academic from the University of Washington, and Erica Astrella, Head of Technology at Parkwood Entertainment and an advocate for diversity and equity in the tech industry, have both joined the EFF.
Erica Astrella has been a strong voice against inequity in the tech sector, particularly in terms of employment and salary disparities. With her background as a software engineer and technology executive at major companies like Google, Slack, and Microsoft, Astrella brings valuable experience to the EFF. She has been a prominent advocate for the growth and inclusion of women and people of color in Silicon Valley.
On the other hand, Tadayoshi Kohno is renowned for his research in locating and fixing security flaws in various technologies. His work focuses not only on established technologies but also on emerging ones, with a particular emphasis on the potential risks faced by underrepresented groups. Kohno's research has shed light on the security and privacy concerns of vulnerable communities, such as refugees, Sudanese activists, and patients using medical devices.
Both Astrella and Kohno have made significant contributions to their respective fields and have demonstrated a commitment to addressing important issues in the technology sector. Astrella's efforts in revealing gender pay discrepancies at Google sparked a conversation about gender inequality in the industry, while Kohno's research has highlighted the potential dangers faced by marginalized groups.
The addition of Astrella and Kohno to the EFF's Board of Directors is a testament to the organization's dedication to championing digital rights and advocating for a more inclusive and equitable technology sector. Their expertise and perspectives will undoubtedly contribute to the EFF's ongoing work in protecting users and vulnerable communities from the potential dangers of technology.
