Join us for an evening of fun at this month’s hack::soho taking place 29 May, 6pm – 9pm GMT, set up to be a loose networking environment where cyber security professionals can chat, get some complimentary food & drink, and discuss rising global trends.
This month’s hack::soho will feature a talk guest speaker, Joe Goodings, of Greenpeace International. The abstract of the talk, ‘Greenpeace and the Evolving Technological Battlefield – The Digital Rainbow Warrior: 25 Years on the Technological Frontlines of Greenpeace,’ is below!
hack::soho is a monthly event hosted at our London, UK office for the cybersecurity and hacking community to discuss all things security over food and refreshments. We welcome you to invite others in your circle to extend our collective network.
ABSTRACT
For a quarter of a century, I’ve witnessed firsthand the extraordinary evolution of activism through the lens of technology. This talk offers a unique insider’s perspective on how a campaigning organisation, known for its bold direct actions, has embraced and even “hacked” technology to amplify its voice and drive global change.
We’ll journey from the early days of clunky satellite phones connecting remote protests to the sophisticated use of virtual reality. I’ll share stories of how we creatively repurposed everyday tech, invented new tech, and used tech often in ways never initially imagined by the technology’s creators.
But this isn’t just a story of innovation. It’s also a personal account of the increasingly sophisticated ways in which the “establishment” – corporations and governments – have wielded technology to counter activists. From alleged corporate espionage in the pre-digital age that targeted our communications, to the modern-day challenges of cyberattacks and the chilling effect of legal battles potentially fueled by surveillance, I’ll recount the digital battlefield where advocacy and powerful interests clash.
Through anecdotes drawn from my own experiences as both a technologist building these tools and an activist on the ground using them, this talk will illuminate the ever-changing landscape of campaigning in the digital age. It’s a story of adaptation, resilience, and the ongoing technological dance between those fighting to protect our planet and those seeking to maintain the status quo. Join me for a candid look at how technology has become both a powerful ally and a significant adversary in the fight for a green and peaceful future.