From surveillance to empowerment: ethical web3 enthusiast advocates for privacy at ETHBarcelona

Mykola Siusko, ambassador manager at Nym Technologies SA and ethical web3 enthusiast, delivered a thought-provoking speech on the significance of privacy and its impact on society during the ETHBarcelona conference.

With a focus on empowerment and connectivity, Siusko highlighted the importance of privacy audits, the dangers of surveillance capitalism, and the need for user-friendly privacy tools.

During the conference, Siusko underscored the crucial connection between privacy and security while acknowledging the lack of security audits in numerous web3 projects. Expressing concern about the trustworthiness of projects claiming to offer privacy without proper audits, Siusko emphasized the potential risks involved. They particularly emphasized the life-and-death consequences of privacy for individuals living in non-democratic countries.

Siusko urged attendees to prioritize privacy, security, and human rights over flashy new technologies, advocating for a cultural shift towards empowerment and connectivity. They cautioned against fear-based communication and emphasized making privacy accessible beyond a privileged technical class.

Highlighting the dangers of surveillance capitalism and the attention economy, Siusko suggested that opposing privacy to corporations could drive changes in their business models. They stressed that privacy fosters meaningful communities and protects against manipulative marketing tactics.

Furthermore, Siusko discussed the importance of privacy in various contexts, such as protecting journalists in Mexico, supporting marginalized communities, and safeguarding vulnerable individuals online. They called for developing user-friendly privacy tools and a comprehensive analysis of data leaks and privacy breaches to inform the public.

The speaker also addressed the need for collaboration among privacy players, criticizing internal competition. They commended the privacy-by-default approach in the Zcash ecosystem and highlighted the importance of understanding how third parties use intercepted information beyond encryption.

In conclusion, Mykola Siusko’s speech highlighted the transformative potential of privacy, emphasizing the need for privacy audits, user-friendly tools, and education to build a culture of privacy. By recognizing privacy as a pathway to empowerment, Siusko encouraged individuals to take control of their identities and promote privacy in the digital realm.