Las Vegas is blazing hot and that means it’s time for EFF to return to the hacker summer camp conferences—BSidesLV, Black Hat USA and DEF CON—to rally behind computer security researchers and tinkerers. EFF is glad to support members of this community all year long. Computer security has always relied on skilled hackers, and your privacy and free expression rely on strong web security. Below you will find all of EFF’s scheduled talks and activities at the conferences.
As in past years, EFF staff attorneys will be present to help support speakers and attendees. If you have legal concerns regarding an upcoming talk or sensitive infosec research that you are conducting at any time, please email [email protected]. Outline the basic issues and we will do our best to connect you with the resources you need. Read more about EFF’s work defending, offering legal counsel, and publicly advocating for technologists on our Coders’ Rights Project page.
EFF staff members will be on hand in the expo areas of all three conferences. You may encounter us in the wild elsewhere, but we hope you stop by the EFF tables to talk to us about the latest in online rights, get on our action alert list, or become an EFF member. We’ll also have our limited-edition DEF CON 32 member t-shirts on hand starting Friday or snag yours online today! This year’s DEF CON member t-shirt is inspired by the 11th card of the tarot. The path to Justice will lead you to this year’s puzzle challenge—give it a try!
EFF Staff Presentations
Ask the EFF Panel at BSidesLV
At this interactive session, our panelists will share updates on critical digital rights issues and EFF’s ongoing efforts to safeguard privacy, combat surveillance, and advocate for freedom of expression.
WHEN: Wednesday, August 7, 18:00
WHERE: Skytalks at the Tuscany Suites Hotel & Casino
Bricked & Abandoned: How To Keep The IoT From Becoming An Internet of Trash
After years of warnings from the cybersecurity community, alarms are finally sounding in the halls of power. But more is needed: a clarion call to reset, to redefine ownership and security in an age of smart, connected devices before it’s too late. In this panel you’ll be enlisted to join the fight. You’ll hear from experts working at the forefront of a fight to challenge the status quo and seek solutions to safeguard our digital futures.Are you ready to stand up for your right to a secure, connected world? The battle for control, for transparency- for a sustainable and resilient digital future begins now!
WHEN: Friday, August 9, 17:00-17:45
WHERE: LVCC – L1 – HW1-11-01 (Track 1)
Ask the EFF at DEF CON 32
Our expert panelists will offer brief updates on EFF’s work defending your digital rights, before opening the floor for attendees to ask their questions. This dynamic conversation centers challenges DEF CON attendees actually face, and is an opportunity to connect on common causes.
WHEN: Friday, August 9, 18:00-19:30
WHERE: DEF CON Room 307-308
DEF CON Keynote: Disenshittify or die! How hackers can seize the means of computation and build a new, good internet that is hardened against our asshole bosses’ insatiable horniness for enshittification.
Join this DEF CON keynote address with author and EFF Special Advisor Cory Doctorow. The enshittification of the internet wasn’t inevitable. The old, good internet gave way to the enshitternet because we let our bosses enshittify it. We took away the constraints of competition, regulation, interop and tech worker power, and so when our bosses yanked on the big enshittification lever in the c-suite, it started to budge further and further, toward total enshittification. A new, good internet is possible – and necessary – and it needs you.
WHEN: Saturday, August 10, 12:00-12:45
WHERE: DEF CON L1 – HW1-11-01 (Track 1)
EFF Benefit Poker Tournament at DEF CON 32
We’re going all in on internet freedom. Join special guest hosts Tarah Wheeler and Cory Doctorow to face off with your competition at the tables—and benefit EFF! Your buy-in is paired with a donation to support EFF’s mission to protect online privacy and free expression for all. Every participant will receive a custom EFF deck of cards celebrating the tournament! Join us in the Horseshoe Poker Room as a player or spectator. Play for glory. Play for money. Play for the future of the web.
WHEN: Pre-tournament clinic on Friday, August 9, 11:00-12:00, Live tournament on Friday, August 9, 12:00-15:00
WHERE: Horseshoe Poker Room | 3645 Las Vegas Blvd Overpass, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Tech Trivia Contest at DEF CON 32
Join us for some tech trivia on Saturday, August 10 at 6:30 PM! EFF’s team of technology experts have crafted challenging trivia about the fascinating, obscure, and trivial aspects of digital security, online rights, and internet culture. Competing teams will plumb the unfathomable depths of their knowledge, but only the champion hive mind will claim the First Place Tech Trivia Trophy and EFF swag pack. The second and third place teams will also win great EFF gear.
WHEN: Saturday, August 10, 18:30-21:30 PM
WHERE: DEF CON Room 307-308
Meet the EFA at DEF CON 32
Rory & Chris from the organizing team will be hosting space for Electronic Frontier Alliance members to network in person at DEF CON. This is also open for anyone interested in joining the EFA too!
WHEN: Friday, August 9, 19:30 – 20:30
WHERE: DEF CON Room 307-308
Beard and Moustache Contest at DEF CON 32
Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like. Join EFF at the intersection of facial hair and hacker culture. Spectate, heckle, or compete in any of four categories: Full beard, Partial Beard, Moustache Only, or Freestyle (anything goes so create your own facial apparatus!). Prizes! Donations to EFF! Beard oil! Get the latest updates.
WHEN: Saturday, August 10, 11:00- 13:00
WHERE: DEF CON Contests Room (Look for the Moustache Flag)
Join the Cause!
Come find our table at BSidesLV (Middle Ground), Black Hat USA (back of the Business Hall), and DEF CON (Vendor Hall West) to learn more about the latest in online rights, get on our action alert list, or donate to become an EFF member. We’ll also have our limited-edition DEF CON 32 shirts available starting Friday at DEF CON! These shirts have a puzzle incorporated into the design. You don’t need to be a hacker to give it a try!
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