RFC 1984 - Or Why You Should Start Worrying About Encryption Backdoors and Mass Data Collection

This course aims to explore the history and implications of governments' attempts to weaken encryption and engage in mass data collection, as warned by RFC 1984. The learning outcomes include understanding the concerns raised by the IAB and IESG regarding privacy and data collection, as well as the need to update RFC 1984 to address current issues in surveillance capitalism. The course covers topics such as privacy, data breaches, surveillance devices, facial recognition, DNA data, and the importance of privacy in defining humanity. The teaching method involves recounting historical events and discussing recent developments in data collection, with an emphasis on the need for strengthened encryption and data protection. This course is intended for IT professionals, privacy advocates, and the general public interested in understanding the implications of mass data collection and the importance of privacy in the digital age.