It’s been about a week since my first post where I introduced myself and the website. I expect this will be the average frequency while I get things going, a post or two a week. This one will explain the “why” of ChaoticGoodCyber.tech’s purpose.

The Day After Election Day

A few days before “the day after”, I dropped off my mail-in ballot. I was optimistic, something that wasn’t normal for me. Then November 5th came and went. The evening was tense with all of the voting coverage, numbers already rolling in before I went to sleep.

The next day, I woke up and began my morning routine. I walked my dog, grabbed some coffee, and watched the news for a few minutes. I don’t often proactively watch the news in the morning, but there was so much hanging in the balance of this election. The country was barely awake but his projected win was already being widely discussed. I thought, “What the hell happened?", and then “How could this happen?” Even though I was surprised, in the back of my mind I thought I shouldn’t have been. What caught me off guard was how overwhelming his win would be.

I continued to process everything, and what started as surprise quickly turned into concern. I knew it was going to be a tough day but that turned into a tough week. Everything went from bad to worse, from his reelection to his announcements for political appointments, and he's not even back in office yet. At least the next few years would be tough for us, and I knew I had to do something. What, though?

I knew I needed to do something but didn’t know where to start. The fight for the election is over and now begins the 4-year-long fight. How can I contribute? I knew this was not good for people like me, my kids, the rest of my family, and marginalized communities in general. That’s when I decided to research the expected impact of this election’s results, based on how I might be able to contribute with my skill set.

Our Digital Rights And Privacy Are At Risk

I know a lot more than our digital rights and privacy are at risk but I’m not a civil rights attorney or part of the many non-profits that already focus on these things. I am someone with a passion for technology, a background in intelligence, a former adjunct instructor, and a practicing cybersecurity professional. By combining the skills I've gained throughout my career, I know I can help disrupt oppression through digital empowerment.

So what is at risk and what are the expected impacts?

Expanded government surveillance and data collection, particularly targeting marginalized groups.
Efforts to roll back existing privacy regulations could leave individuals vulnerable to data exploitation by corporations and government entities.
Increased use of personal data in law enforcement activities without adequate privacy safeguards, leading to discriminatory targeting and profiling.
Digital surveillance could be used to monitor individuals seeking abortion services or reproductive health information.
Weakened privacy protections may result in discriminatory practices in areas like targeted advertising and access to services based on sensitive personal information.
Potential government actions against dissenting voices, discouraging or preventing free speech and public protest.
Legislative efforts aimed at protecting minors online may weaken, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and harm.
Increased use of biometric data collection methods could lead to invasive monitoring and discrimination against vulnerable populations.
Changes to content moderation laws and Section 230 could impact how misinformation is managed online, potentially silencing marginalized voices while allowing harmful content to proliferate.

That's just the tip of the iceberg based on historical context, known administration motives and plans, and recent news. I'm sure more will come to light real soon, and they're not being discreet about it.

Ways to Protect Yourself Now

If you share these concerns, I will be posting about various ways you can protect yourself and those you care about. To get you started since you made it this far (thank you very much), here are a few quick tips:

Use privacy-enhancing tools like Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and encrypted messaging apps (like Signal - dedicated post on this soon).
Be cautious about sharing personal information online and on social media.
Support and engage with privacy advocacy groups and civil rights organizations.
Stay informed about changes in privacy laws and policies at both federal and state levels.
Learn about your digital rights and privacy protections.