Nicole Ozer, Technology and Civil Liberties branch of the ACLU
"Cloud Computing: Storm Warning for Privacy?"
February 10th, 12-1pm in Bannan 127
Cloud computing is revolutionizing how we create, collect and store personal document and information. From word processing and spreadsheets, to photos and image editing, to our communications, large scale data storage, and entire operating systems – these services are increasingly available anytime, anywhere. But are we paying for greater access and convenience with our privacy? Once this information is located in one or more databases out there "in the clouds", it may be accessed and used in ways that individuals never envisioned or intended, and with little oversight. Governments can dip into this treasure trove with a subpoena; companies can mine this information to build profiles, deliver targeted advertising, and share with others. And with the lengthy data retention periods and ineffective deletion procedures of many companies, we may find it very difficult to remove their data once it is uploaded. This talk will explore the opportunities and risks posed by personal computing in the clouds.
Nicole Ozer is the Technology and Civil Liberties Policy Director at the ACLU of Northern California, working on the intersection of new technology, privacy, and free speech. Nicole graduated magna cum laude from Amherst College, studied comparative civil rights history at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, and earned her J.D. with a Certificate in Law and Technology from Boalt Hall School of Law, University of California Berkeley. While attending Boalt Hall, Nicole was Executive Editor for the Berkeley Technology Law Journal, served as co-president of her law class, was honored by the law school for excellence in clinical advocacy, and awarded the Young Bear Award by the University of California, Berkeley for service to the community. Before joining the ACLU, Nicole was an intellectual property litigator at Morrison & Foerster LLP, worked on diverse civil liberties technology projects with the Samuelson Law, Technology, and Public Policy Clinic at Boalt Hall, developed an award-winning youth volunteer program in Santa Clara County, and served as a staff member and intern for several local elected officials. Nicole was recognized by San Jose Magazine in 2001 for being one of 20 "Women Making a Mark" in Silicon Valley.
