Together with Meredith Whittaker, President of Signal, we explore the dynamics of tech, power and surveillance. We speak with Whittaker about her work establishing Signal, the challenges of navigating the tech industry as a woman and the possible effects of the recent American election on the tech sector.
In today’s digital age, technology companies wield unprecedented power over our personal lives, collecting vast amounts of data that fuel surveillance practices and shape our online experiences. Few understand these dynamics better than Meredith Whittaker, who co-founded Signal to provide a private, secure messaging alternative.
Beyond her work on Signal, Whittaker made headlines with the Google Walkout, a large-scale protest against workplace harassment, gender inequality, and unethical practices in tech—a bold move in an industry that often prioritizes profit over ethics. Her experience navigating these spaces raises questions about the responsibilities of tech giants and the courage needed to challenge established norms.
Together with Whittaker we’ll explore the complexities of tech power, the importance of privacy in digital communication, and the ongoing struggle for equity and ethical accountability in Silicon Valley and beyond.
More on Meredith Whittaker and Signal
Meredith Whittaker is Signal’s President and a member of the Signal Foundation Board of Directors. Before joining Signal as President, she was the Minderoo Research Professor at NYU, and served as the Faculty Director of the AI Now Institute which she co-founded.
Her research and scholarly work helped shape global AI policy and shift the public narrative on AI to better recognize the surveillance business practices and concentration of industrial resources that modern AI requires.
Prior to NYU, Whittaker worked at Google for over a decade. She was one of the core organizers pushing back against the company’s insufficient response to concerns about AI and its harms, and was a central organizer of the Google Walkout.
Signal is an encrypted messaging app known for its strong privacy protections. Developed by the Signal Foundation, a nonprofit organization, Signal provides end-to-end encryption, meaning only the sender and recipient can read the messages—neither Signal nor any third party can access them.
Signal has gained popularity among privacy-conscious users, journalists, activists, and others who need secure communication due to its commitment to user privacy and its transparent, open-source codebase, which allows anyone to review its security.
Signal doesn’t collect or store user data for targeted advertising or surveillance, setting it apart from many other messaging platforms. The app is often recommended by privacy advocates and has been endorsed by figures like Edward Snowden for its robust security.
About Techdenkers
Technology has become an inseparable part of our lives, but do we pay enough attention to it? During Techdenkers we explore the ethical implications of technological innovation. What influence does the arrival of AI have on our lives? How are we going to solve the climate crisis with the help of technology? And do we want algorithms to determine our choice of partner? The Techdenkers series is provided and broadcast by De Balie and is part of our partnership with Adyen.
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