Evelyn Austin

Evelyn Austin is the Executive Director of Bits of Freedom, a Dutch digital rights organisation based in Amsterdam. Since 1999, Bits of Freedom has worked to shape internet policy in support of an open and just society in which people can hold power accountable and effectively question the status quo. Austin has been working at the intersection of technology and society for over 15 years and co-founded The Hmm, an experimental research platform for internet cultures.

Institution

Bits of Freedom

Netherlands

The way in which our societies are digitizing comes with great risks. New technology is far too often used to limit people's freedom and their ability to shape their lives. We're surveilled by our governments. Big (tech) corporations abuse our vulnerabilities and manipulate our world view. The careless use of data leads to a codification, concealment and recurrence of discrimination. Two fundamental rights play a key role in protecting us against these threats: freedom of communication and privacy. In addition, they are essential if we are to fully realize the emancipatory potential of the Internet. This is why Bits of Freedom fights to advance these rights.