Benjamin Powers

Benjamin Powers

Powers is a tech reporter at Grid. Previously, he was privacy reporter at CoinDesk where he focused on data and financial privacy, information security, and digital identity. His work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Daily Beast, Rolling Stone, and the New Republic, among others. He owns bitcoin.

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Inside the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Emergency Operations Center. (Credit: CDC/Unsplash)
Europe Debates COVID-19 Contact Tracing That Respects Privacy
European researchers are looking for ways to track the spread of coronavirus while respecting privacy rights.
Inside the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Emergency Operations Center. (Credit: CDC/Unsplash)
Via Shutterstock
A New Ultrasonic Hack Can Exploit Your Siri
A new hack called a SurfingAttack uses ultrasonic guided waves to communicate with a device through the voice assistant.
Via Shutterstock
One of Zoom's view options. (Credit: Zoom)
Zoom Has Privacy Issues, Here Are Some Alternatives
Worried about getting Zoombombed? Here are some privacy-facing services to check out while you're WFH.
One of Zoom's view options. (Credit: Zoom)
Photo by Dennis Kummer on Unsplash
Privacy Advocates Are Sounding Alarms Over Coronavirus Surveillance
Crises provide opportunities for surveillance architecture to move forward, say privacy advocates. This time is no different.
Photo by Dennis Kummer on Unsplash
Oct 29 - g4ll4is flickr
In Fight Against Coronavirus, Governments Face Trade-Offs on Privacy
Safeguarding privacy rights is tricky during a time of pandemic and panic.
Oct 29 - g4ll4is flickr
Credit: Shutterstock
Mass Surveillance Threatens Personal Privacy Amid Coronavirus
The extreme surveillance measures taken to address COVID-19 are not normal or inevitable.
Credit: Shutterstock
Bernie Sanders, Rally at Pittsburgh University, Sunday April 14.
Bernie Sanders: Our Campaign Is About People, Not Tech
Bernie Sanders has never been closer to delivering a “revolution” in American life. How will he address personal privacy, cryptocurrencies and big tech?
Bernie Sanders, Rally at Pittsburgh University, Sunday April 14.
Klobuchar supporters at a rally in Charleston, South Carolina.
Amy Klobuchar Wanted a Return to Normalcy, but Do Voters?
While Trump self-inflated and Bernie talked of revolution, Klobuchar took a middle lane on tech. From election security to privacy to transparency in online ads, Klobuchar was...
Klobuchar supporters at a rally in Charleston, South Carolina.
GDPR
Privacy Laws Are Only as Effective as the Companies Implementing Them
Sometimes the very laws meant to enforce privacy can result in companies sharing it.
GDPR
identity, privacy
When Corporations Violate Privacy, They Do Concrete Harm
There are tangible safety implications to consumer privacy violations, says Lindsey Barrett of Georgetown Law.
identity, privacy