#rp14 speaker: Mikko Hyppönen & David Hasselhoff - Looking for Freedom

„Our privacy is the building block of our democracies.“ With these words at TEDxBrussels 2013, Mikko Hyppönen not only challenged the NSA, but also questioned the U.S.’s right to conduct mass surveillance. Digital privacy is becoming an increasingly crucial aspect of our general privacy and, sadly it’s a constant challenge for anyone who owns a hard drive. Increasingly, our data is observed and stored indefinitely. But by whom? How? Why? These things are never clearly explained and tend to only become public when someone decides to leak them. Mikko Hyppönen thinks now is the time for the citizens of the world to get angry and demand answers. On 6th May, he will  presenting at the re:publica conference with a special guest partner for whom the topic of privacy has been, and still is, essential.
 
David Hasselhoff first addressed the concept of “freedom” when the Berlin wall fell 25 years ago. But since then, the issue of digital freedom has become an essential part of his life. No one can escape the threat of prying eyes monitoring our daily business as the two greatest inventions of our time – the internet and the mobile phone – have become tools of surveillance. During their keynote at re:publica, Mikko Hyppönen or David Hasselhoff, will invite everyone in attendance and watching the live stream to join the movement to stand up for digital freedom.
 
Are today’s users really aware of what’s happening regarding data privacy? Mikko Hyppönen notes that people often tell him “I have nothing to hide”. To him that means you either can’t keep a secret, or you haven’t thought about the issue long enough. Anyone who uses Windows, Apple, Facebook, Amazon or Skype – regardless if they’re a celebrity, politician, top manager, employer or student – is being tracked in some way by either a government or a corporation. And your search history could end up being used against in ways you’ve never imagined.
 
What’s the future of the digital privacy? What rights should we all have online? What kind of world do we want this to become? With the #digitalfreedom manifesto, Mikko Hyppönen and David Hasselhoff will begin to compile all these thoughts, concerns, ideas and comments and work together with every interested user on a document that will answer these questions.

Photo: F-Secure