Finn Brunton and Helen Nissenbaum aim to spark a revolution against pervasive digital surveillance by advocating for obfuscation—the intentional use of ambiguous or misleading information to disrupt data collection by governments, corporations, and hackers. They provide a toolkit of privacy-protecting techniques, emphasizing the importance of evasion and noncompliance, particularly for average users who lack control over their data. By teaching users to resist surveillance, guiding software developers to protect user data, and advising policymakers on ethical data collection, they empower individuals to push back against invasive practices. The authors detail various forms of obfuscation, illustrating its application with historical and contemporary examples, such as World War II radar chaff and Twitter bots that undermined protest movements. They explore the necessity and justification of obfuscation, its mechanisms, and its integration with other privacy practices and technologies. This comprehensive guide aims to equip readers with the knowledge to navigate and challenge the complexities of digital surveillance effectively.
Finn Brunton Books
Finn Brunton delves into the hidden histories of the internet and the technologies shaping our communication. His work explores the unseen forces and unexpected narratives of the digital age, revealing how information and privacy are manipulated and how these systems can be repurposed for protest and resilience. Brunton's writing offers a sharp lens on the invisible aspects of our connected existence.
