EFF Co-Hosts Oakland Tech Week Event on Organizing Beyond Big Tech Influence
Electronic Frontier Foundation joined MediaJustice and Upturn for a September 30 panel on community-led tech policy in Oakland.
Key points
- EFF co-presented an event titled “Building Beyond Big Tech: Organizing Oakland’s Future” on September 30.
- Executive Director Nicole Ozer spoke about ensuring technology empowers rather than oppresses communities.
- Panelists discussed state-level technology landscapes with representatives from CalMatters and People Over Billionaires.
The Electronic Frontier Foundation co-hosted an all-day event titled “Building Beyond Big Tech: Organizing Oakland’s Future” on September 30, according to the organization. The gathering took place at the Kapor Center in downtown Oakland as part of the second annual Oakland Tech Week.
MediaJustice and Upturn invited the EFF to participate in the session, which aimed to connect organizers and activists across the East Bay. The event provided a venue for people working to shape technology’s role in their communities to share strategies and build solidarity.
Context and Background
Nicole Ozer, executive director of the EFF, opened the day’s proceedings by emphasizing the critical nature of the current moment for technology policy. She stated that ensuring technology empowers rather than oppresses is fundamental to the future of livelihoods and lives, according to her speech.
Ozer noted that while formidable forces exist, communities can challenge narratives of inevitability through collective action. She argued that the future of artificial intelligence and other technologies is not predetermined and can be shaped by public engagement.
Who Is Affected
A panel on California’s technology landscape featured Hayley Tsukayama, the EFF’s Director of State Affairs, alongside reporter Khari Johnson of CalMatters and Crystal Zemero of People Over Billionaires. Steven Renderos, executive director of MediaJustice, moderated the discussion on state-level issues.
Participants in smaller breakout sessions focused on refining messaging and building better technology, facilitated by MediaJustice staff. The EFF reported that seeing neighbors fight back against surveillance was inspiring, as they challenge large technology companies’ claims about neighborhood impacts.
What should you do?
The EFF issued a renewed invitation for individuals in Oakland and surrounding areas to join their efforts. The organization highlighted the importance of attending council meetings and rallies to voice concerns about technology’s impact on workplaces and neighborhoods.
What to do and how to stay safe: Electronic Frontier Foundation
- Attend local council meetings to voice concerns about surveillance and technology deployment in your community.
- Connect with local advocacy groups like MediaJustice or Upturn to learn about ongoing organizing efforts.
- Review how technology companies describe their impact on neighborhoods and compare those claims with local experiences.
- Participate in community discussions to help refine messaging around technology policy and digital rights.
General security guidance from the Threat Times newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.
Frequently asked questions
When did the EFF co-host the Oakland Tech Week event?
The event took place on September 30, according to the Electronic Frontier Foundation.
Who moderated the panel on California’s technology landscape?
Steven Renderos, executive director of MediaJustice, moderated the panel discussion.
What was the main theme of the EFF’s participation?
The theme was “Building Beyond Big Tech: Organizing Oakland’s Future,” focusing on community-led technology policy.
