How can independent software developers contribute to supporting civil liberties?

Independent software developers can contribute to supporting civil liberties by creating and improving technologies that protect privacy and freedom of speech. This can include developing encrypted communication platforms, secure file sharing systems, and other tools that help safeguard personal information from unauthorized access. They can also contribute by advocating for digital rights and educating the public about the importance of digital privacy and security.

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Permanent Record

#8 on Amazon, NY Times bestseller... For the first time, Edward Snowden, who exposed one of the government's greatest secrets, writes about his journ...

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Lindsay came to visit Snowden in 2014. A few years later, she moved to Russia, and they got married. Today, Snowden heads the Freedom of Press Foundation, dedicated to empowering public interest journalism through better encryption technologies. The foundation supports Signal, an encrypted text and calling platform, and SecureDrop, a platform for whistleblowers to share files with media houses. Changing the law to adapt to technological shifts takes time. Until then, institutions will try to abuse this gap for their interests. Independent software developers can close this gap by building technologies that support civil liberties. While a legal reform might help only citizens, an encrypted smartphone can help people across the world. Today, Snowden spends his time speaking on civil liberties in the digital age to lawmakers, scholars, students, and technologists worldwide.

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Legal reforms and technological advancements have a significant global impact on civil liberties. Legal reforms can help protect civil liberties by updating laws to reflect the current digital age, ensuring that institutions cannot abuse technological advancements for their interests. On the other hand, technological advancements, such as encryption technologies, can empower individuals by providing them with tools to protect their privacy and freedom of speech. These technologies can have a global impact as they can be used by people worldwide, regardless of their country's legal framework. However, it's important to note that these advancements and reforms can also be a double-edged sword, potentially being used to infringe upon civil liberties if not properly regulated.

Some examples of technologies developed to support civil liberties include Signal and SecureDrop. Signal is an encrypted text and calling platform that ensures private communication between users. SecureDrop, on the other hand, is a platform that allows whistleblowers to securely share files with media houses. These technologies are designed to protect individual privacy and freedom of speech, which are fundamental civil liberties.

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