Jessica Vitak
@vitak.bsky.social
She/her. Professor at University of Maryland's iSchool. Director of the HCIL. General Chair for CSCW 2025. Research: privacy, surveillance, data ethics. https://jessicavitak.com
Come for the academic expertise. Stay for the cookie content.
Come for the academic expertise. Stay for the cookie content.
Reposted by Jessica Vitak
In his forthcoming book, Your Data Will Be Used Against You, George Washington University Law School professor Andrew Guthrie Ferguson explores how sensor-driven technologies, social media monitoring, and artificial intelligence can be weaponized against democratic values and personal freedoms.
How to Apply the 'Tyrant Test' to Technology
George Washington University Law School professor Andrew Guthrie Ferguson is the author of the forthcoming book Your Data Will Be Used Against You.
buff.ly
February 2, 2026 at 8:33 PM
In his forthcoming book, Your Data Will Be Used Against You, George Washington University Law School professor Andrew Guthrie Ferguson explores how sensor-driven technologies, social media monitoring, and artificial intelligence can be weaponized against democratic values and personal freedoms.
Reposted by Jessica Vitak
Join us at 12:30pm ET Thursday, 2/5 , in the lab (HBK 2105) or online for our weekly brown bag speaker series. This week we'll hear from two researchers about their UIST papers! Visit hcil.umd.edu/bbl-speaker-... for more information
February 2, 2026 at 6:22 PM
Join us at 12:30pm ET Thursday, 2/5 , in the lab (HBK 2105) or online for our weekly brown bag speaker series. This week we'll hear from two researchers about their UIST papers! Visit hcil.umd.edu/bbl-speaker-... for more information
Reposted by Jessica Vitak
📢 CSCW is piloting a rolling submissions experiment.
🔸 More flexibility for authors
🔸 Emphasis on paper quality over deadline pressure
🧪 Important: Only a small number of papers will be invited to participate, and authors can nominate their work for possible selection.
cscw.acm.org/2026/rolling...
🔸 More flexibility for authors
🔸 Emphasis on paper quality over deadline pressure
🧪 Important: Only a small number of papers will be invited to participate, and authors can nominate their work for possible selection.
cscw.acm.org/2026/rolling...
CSCW 2026
cscw.acm.org
January 29, 2026 at 12:12 AM
📢 CSCW is piloting a rolling submissions experiment.
🔸 More flexibility for authors
🔸 Emphasis on paper quality over deadline pressure
🧪 Important: Only a small number of papers will be invited to participate, and authors can nominate their work for possible selection.
cscw.acm.org/2026/rolling...
🔸 More flexibility for authors
🔸 Emphasis on paper quality over deadline pressure
🧪 Important: Only a small number of papers will be invited to participate, and authors can nominate their work for possible selection.
cscw.acm.org/2026/rolling...
Reposted by Jessica Vitak
Signal will never message you like this.
If you get a message like this, SOMEONE IS TRYING TO HACK YOUR SIGNAL.
DO NOT GIVE THEM THAT CODE.
If you get a message like this, SOMEONE IS TRYING TO HACK YOUR SIGNAL.
DO NOT GIVE THEM THAT CODE.
January 26, 2026 at 2:16 AM
Signal will never message you like this.
If you get a message like this, SOMEONE IS TRYING TO HACK YOUR SIGNAL.
DO NOT GIVE THEM THAT CODE.
If you get a message like this, SOMEONE IS TRYING TO HACK YOUR SIGNAL.
DO NOT GIVE THEM THAT CODE.
That's awesome! Hope to see some folks in Barcelona.
January 26, 2026 at 3:02 PM
That's awesome! Hope to see some folks in Barcelona.
Reposted by Jessica Vitak
From the NY Post. You know they are really scrambling when they are running "The gun was no angel" stories.
January 25, 2026 at 1:53 PM
From the NY Post. You know they are really scrambling when they are running "The gun was no angel" stories.
I finally returned a book to the university library today after renewing it every six months for the last 7-8 years. It was time.
Be free Cambridge Handbook of Consumer Privacy. Be free!
Be free Cambridge Handbook of Consumer Privacy. Be free!
January 23, 2026 at 4:38 PM
I finally returned a book to the university library today after renewing it every six months for the last 7-8 years. It was time.
Be free Cambridge Handbook of Consumer Privacy. Be free!
Be free Cambridge Handbook of Consumer Privacy. Be free!
Reposted by Jessica Vitak
UMD's College of Information is hiring lecturers in five areas: networking fundamentals, information design, security, programming and databases, and experiential learning. 3-3 load, $95k-$102k. I love working here. Asshole-free environment. Spread the word! Not on the committee but happy to talk.
Lecturer (Open Rank)
Job Description Summary & Additional Information Organization's Summary Statement: Position Summary The College of Information at the University of Maryland, College Park (INFO), invites applicati...
umd.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com
January 22, 2026 at 8:26 PM
UMD's College of Information is hiring lecturers in five areas: networking fundamentals, information design, security, programming and databases, and experiential learning. 3-3 load, $95k-$102k. I love working here. Asshole-free environment. Spread the word! Not on the committee but happy to talk.
I'm seriously considering buying this shirt and wearing it to every meeting I'm running from here on out.
January 22, 2026 at 7:17 PM
I'm seriously considering buying this shirt and wearing it to every meeting I'm running from here on out.
Reposted by Jessica Vitak
Harrowing NY Times expose of the FBI, with some operational details of Minneapolis investigations & comments from ex-agents on the current federal occupation. The FBI is more fucked than you expect, which makes them less effective AND more dangerous. www.nytimes.com/interactive/... (gift link)
Kash Patel’s FBI Is Making America Less Safe, Current and Former Employees Say (Gift Article)
Forty-five current and former employees on the changes they say are undermining the agency and making America less safe.
www.nytimes.com
January 22, 2026 at 3:47 PM
Harrowing NY Times expose of the FBI, with some operational details of Minneapolis investigations & comments from ex-agents on the current federal occupation. The FBI is more fucked than you expect, which makes them less effective AND more dangerous. www.nytimes.com/interactive/... (gift link)
Reposted by Jessica Vitak
I'm hiring a senior policy analyst/counsel for the privacy & data team at CDT!
"Inquire within"
"Inquire within"
Careers
Current Openingsfind yourself engaged in passionate discussions about privacy policies? Are you yearning to put your expertise to work on internet neutrality legislation? If so, you might be a great f...
cdt.org
January 20, 2026 at 7:47 PM
I'm hiring a senior policy analyst/counsel for the privacy & data team at CDT!
"Inquire within"
"Inquire within"
Did you have a qualitative paper rejected from #chi2026? As you're revising for your next submission, check out this crowdsourced document containing common critiques of qualitative research and ideas for responding -- and add any new critiques you've encountered:
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Reviewer Critiques (Qualitative Methods) and How to Respond to Them
Reviewer Critiques (Qualitative Methods) and How to Respond to Them Author: Jessica Vitak (+ anyone who adds to the document) About This Document (and a disclaimer) Reviewing is a highly subjective pr...
docs.google.com
January 20, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Did you have a qualitative paper rejected from #chi2026? As you're revising for your next submission, check out this crowdsourced document containing common critiques of qualitative research and ideas for responding -- and add any new critiques you've encountered:
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
At a certain point, it's better to actively avoid the news by enjoying some episodes of MST3K.
January 20, 2026 at 1:06 PM
At a certain point, it's better to actively avoid the news by enjoying some episodes of MST3K.
If you, like me, know nothing about the US' history with Greenland, this was a solid primer: theconversation.com/us-military-...
US military has a long history in Greenland, from mining during WWII to a nuclear-powered Army base built into the ice
History also shows that many of the fanciful engineering ideas for Greenland failed because they misjudged the island’s harsh climate and dynamic ice sheet.
theconversation.com
January 17, 2026 at 3:42 PM
If you, like me, know nothing about the US' history with Greenland, this was a solid primer: theconversation.com/us-military-...
I didn't realize this was because of you. Thank you for a pretty morning snow!
January 17, 2026 at 2:59 PM
I didn't realize this was because of you. Thank you for a pretty morning snow!
Reposted by Jessica Vitak
NEW: 17 different models of Bluetooth headphones and speakers can be hijacked to play audio, eavesdrop thru mics, and in some cases even track your location—unless you install a patch, which many people don't. @agreenberg.bsky.social & @lhn.bsky.social w/ the scoop: www.wired.com/story/google...
Hundreds of Millions of Audio Devices Need a Patch to Prevent Wireless Hacking and Tracking
Flaws in how 17 models of headphones and speakers use Google’s one-tap Fast Pair Bluetooth protocol have left devices open to eavesdroppers and stalkers.
www.wired.com
January 15, 2026 at 1:35 PM
NEW: 17 different models of Bluetooth headphones and speakers can be hijacked to play audio, eavesdrop thru mics, and in some cases even track your location—unless you install a patch, which many people don't. @agreenberg.bsky.social & @lhn.bsky.social w/ the scoop: www.wired.com/story/google...
I do a lot of jigsaw puzzles and was mildly disturbed when I saw this one. [To be clear, I did *not* purchase it.]
January 15, 2026 at 3:22 PM
I do a lot of jigsaw puzzles and was mildly disturbed when I saw this one. [To be clear, I did *not* purchase it.]
👏 Fully agree 👏
We Reject the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence for Reflexive Qualitative Research: journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
We Reject the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence for Reflexive Qualitative Research: journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
We Reject the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence for Reflexive Qualitative Research - Tanisha Jowsey, Virginia Braun, Victoria Clarke, Deborah Lupton, Michelle Fine, 2025
Four hundred and nineteen experienced qualitative researchers from 32 countries invite readers of Qualitative Inquiry to consider their position on use of gener...
journals.sagepub.com
January 15, 2026 at 3:16 PM
👏 Fully agree 👏
We Reject the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence for Reflexive Qualitative Research: journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
We Reject the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence for Reflexive Qualitative Research: journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
Reposted by Jessica Vitak
Attention graduate students! The 15th annual Communication & Technology / Mobile Doctoral Consortium is now accepting student proposals to participate at #ICA26 in Cape Town. Proposals are due 2 Feb. Please read the requirements closely. sites.google.com/view/2026ica...
January 14, 2026 at 4:02 PM
Attention graduate students! The 15th annual Communication & Technology / Mobile Doctoral Consortium is now accepting student proposals to participate at #ICA26 in Cape Town. Proposals are due 2 Feb. Please read the requirements closely. sites.google.com/view/2026ica...
If you were following along, here's the updated set of debate scenarios I plan to use in my surveillance studies class. There's five new ones for 13 total, spanning three main categories: government, law enforcement, and work/school.
drive.google.com/file/d/1db7y...
drive.google.com/file/d/1db7y...
January 14, 2026 at 6:51 PM
If you were following along, here's the updated set of debate scenarios I plan to use in my surveillance studies class. There's five new ones for 13 total, spanning three main categories: government, law enforcement, and work/school.
drive.google.com/file/d/1db7y...
drive.google.com/file/d/1db7y...
And if you want to read more about Tablo's "scandal" (which blew up after false claims he didn't get two degrees from Stanford), you can read about it in the uni's magazine: stanfordmag.org/contents/the...
The Persecution of Daniel Lee
An Internet smear campaign nearly destroyed the South Korean star, but he fought back with the only weapon he had: the truth.
stanfordmag.org
January 14, 2026 at 5:34 PM
And if you want to read more about Tablo's "scandal" (which blew up after false claims he didn't get two degrees from Stanford), you can read about it in the uni's magazine: stanfordmag.org/contents/the...
Even if you've never heard of Tablo, you should listen to his podcast episode on resilience. Tablo has dealt with some real shit in his life and uses everyday stories from his life to describe how he developed resilience, as well as the importance of gratitude.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylrA...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylrA...
Do this and you'll be MENTALLY BULLETPROOF | Hey Tablo Ep. 2
YouTube video by TABLO
www.youtube.com
January 14, 2026 at 5:34 PM
Even if you've never heard of Tablo, you should listen to his podcast episode on resilience. Tablo has dealt with some real shit in his life and uses everyday stories from his life to describe how he developed resilience, as well as the importance of gratitude.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylrA...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylrA...
More data isn't always better. Video data isn't irrefutable. The idea that video data 100% proves a crime was committed is ridiculous. But that is where we have arrived thanks to mass surveillance technologies.
I also really appreciate this reflection from the woman at the end of the article.
I also really appreciate this reflection from the woman at the end of the article.
January 14, 2026 at 4:15 PM
More data isn't always better. Video data isn't irrefutable. The idea that video data 100% proves a crime was committed is ridiculous. But that is where we have arrived thanks to mass surveillance technologies.
I also really appreciate this reflection from the woman at the end of the article.
I also really appreciate this reflection from the woman at the end of the article.
Read Hannah's article first, then read this article about the FBI raiding her home today in search of "classified material."
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/14/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/14/u...
January 14, 2026 at 3:48 PM
Read Hannah's article first, then read this article about the FBI raiding her home today in search of "classified material."
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/14/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/14/u...
Reposted by Jessica Vitak
Gift link to FBI-targeted Post reporter Hannah Natanson's sweeping look at how federal workers have been targeted by Trump. wapo.st/49BQBrh
I am The Post’s ‘federal government whisperer.’ It’s been brutal.
One reporter’s effort to show how Trump was transforming government brought her 1,168 new sources — and nearly broke her.
wapo.st
January 14, 2026 at 2:25 PM
Gift link to FBI-targeted Post reporter Hannah Natanson's sweeping look at how federal workers have been targeted by Trump. wapo.st/49BQBrh