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Gustaf Björksten

Chief Technologist

Gustaf has been gaining professional experience as a technologist and information security specialist since 1994, most recently in the area of surveillance technology. He has worked in many different ICT environments and reckons he has seen just about everything. He has worked for dot com startups, led from the front during the internet boom, and endured the dot com bust. He has worked for small companies, rapidly growing companies, and very large corporations in the computer games, education, ISP, pharmaceutical, telecoms, and financial sectors. From 2001-2005 he founded and ran a hackerspace in Melbourne, Australia that housed over 150 computers of every size, description and platform. That hackerspace was also the base from which anti-net-censorship, no-net-tax, anti-war, and other activist campaigns were fought. He is glad to be given the opportunity to apply his technical experience to defend and extend digital human rights for all people.
Watermark and generative AI

Watermarking & generative AI: what, how, why (and why not) 

28 Sep 2023

How can we identify content produced by generative AI tools? One solution being touted is watermarking – but what are the human rights risks?

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Watermarking & generative AI: what, how, why (and why not) 
28 Sep 2023
Watermarking & generative AI: what, how, why (and why not) 
#KeepItOn during elections

Taxonomy of a shutdown: 8 ways governments restrict access to the internet, and how to #KeepItOn

2 Jun 2022

Our new guide explains the technology behind network interference to help people prepare for, circumvent, and document internet shutdowns.

Publication
Taxonomy of a shutdown: 8 ways governments restrict access to the internet, and how to #KeepItOn
2 Jun 2022
Taxonomy of a shutdown: 8 ways governments restrict access to the internet, and how to #KeepItOn
Telegram vs Russia

Encrypt all the messages — across all the platforms

27 Apr 2022

Elon Musk’s planned Twitter buyout is spurring new calls for end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for messaging. Here’s why it’s both desirable and feasible to make E2EE messaging interoperable across major communications platforms, as the E.U. Digital Markets Act envisions.

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Encrypt all the messages — across all the platforms
27 Apr 2022
Encrypt all the messages — across all the platforms

Who we hurt when we attack encryption

21 Oct 2021

Encryption is a vital tool for keeping human rights defenders safe from powerful adversaries. Case studies from Access Now’s Digital Security Helpline show how strong encryption makes the world safer for everyone.

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Who we hurt when we attack encryption
21 Oct 2021
Who we hurt when we attack encryption
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Digital Security Helpline: In 2020, LGBTQ groups are facing more online harassment than ever

29 Jun 2020

According to our stats so far in 2020, LGBTQ people are experiencing more incidents of online harassment, attacks on their accounts, and censorship.

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Digital Security Helpline: In 2020, LGBTQ groups are facing more online harassment than ever
29 Jun 2020
Digital Security Helpline: In 2020, LGBTQ groups are facing more online harassment than ever
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IoS: the Internet of Scheiße

6 Feb 2020

It is a mistake to build systems that integrate AI systems for decision-making without transparency or accountability.

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IoS: the Internet of Scheiße
6 Feb 2020
IoS: the Internet of Scheiße

Warning: proposed sale of the TLD puts .ORG registrant data at risk

11 Dec 2019

The proposed sale presents a risk of governance over sensitive data that society cannot afford to take.

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Warning: proposed sale of the TLD puts .ORG registrant data at risk
11 Dec 2019
Warning: proposed sale of the TLD puts .ORG registrant data at risk
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Facebook is right to defend the security of Messenger, and the solution is adding more security

23 Aug 2018

The U.S. government is ordering Facebook to help wiretap Messenger voice calls. We explain what may be happening and how it could impact encrypted communications going forward.

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Facebook is right to defend the security of Messenger, and the solution is adding more security
23 Aug 2018
Facebook is right to defend the security of Messenger, and the solution is adding more security
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How to help #KeepItOn in Iran (Farsi)

24 Jan 2018
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How to help #KeepItOn in Iran (Farsi)
24 Jan 2018
How to help #KeepItOn in Iran (Farsi)
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How to help #KeepItOn in Iran

10 Jan 2018

The people of Iran have a fundamental human right to free expression. Here’s how you can help them exercise that right.

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How to help #KeepItOn in Iran
10 Jan 2018
How to help #KeepItOn in Iran