M3AAWG Honoree, WHO@ Founder and Author Jayne Hitchcock
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CLBR was thrilled when the Messaging, Malware and Mobile Anti-Abuse Working Group gave its 2015 Mary Litynski lifetime achievement award to Jayne Hitchcock for
her efforts in assisting targeted individuals, training law enforcement, supporting antiharassment legislation and teaching teenagers how to protect themselves from potential threats. The lifetime achievement award for her work as co-founder of Working to Halt Online Abuse (WHO@) and in aiding thousands of online victims.
Hitchcock became an anti-abuse advocate in 1996 when a scammer targeted her with threatening emails and posted defaming messages in her name after she exposed a fraudulent publishing scheme on a Usenet message board. When the local police did not have the tools or knowledge to help her, Hitchcock fought back by learning all she could about the technology. As a result, she became one of the earliest experts on how to identify online stalkers. She testified in support of the first U.S. email cyberstalking bill passed in 1998 and either has helped draft or supported legislative efforts establishing online harassment as a crime in 20 states. In her middle and high school educational programs for students, she shows how the students’ supposedly innocuous social media posts and profiles can make them vulnerable to threats and harassment.
She is also the author of True Crime Online: Shocking Stories of Scamming, Stalking, Murder, and Mayhem and Net Crimes & Misdemeanors: Outmaneuvering the Spammers, Swindlers, and Stalkers Who Are Targeting You Online.
Jayne has been a frequent guest of the show most recently appearing in January 2013 to talk bout her latest book True Crime Online.
Jayne’s Tips
- “When a communication becomes threatening or harassing, you should respond just once by succinctly telling the perpetuator to stop contacting you. Don’t get pulled into their emotional manipulation or accusations. After that, don’t reply to their emails or other communications but keep a copy of everything. Also be sure to contact the abuse department where the agitation started, such as Facebook, Twitter or Snapchat,”
- Use a gender-neutral email address. Use an email address from a free provider, such as Gmail or Yahoo!, rather then one supplied by your online service provider. This will make it harder for a stalker to discover where you live.
- Avoid heated online arguments – just step away before the discussion becomes toxic.
- Do not help friends who are being stalked or harassed by engaging with the perpetrators on their behalf. Instead, support their efforts to stop the crime by directing them to contact the appropriate authorities and abuse desks. I
Ellen Pao Trial Shines Spotlight on Plight of Women in Tech
This is an important week for women.
On March 4, 1917 Republican Jeanette Rankin of Montana took her seat as the first woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. After being elected in 1916 she said, “I may be the first woman member of Congress but I won’t be the last.” Sixteen years later, Frances Perkins became the first woman appointed to the Cabinet where she served as Secretary of Labor from 1933 to 1945. (See Two Giant Steps for Womankind)
Sunday (March 8) is International Women’s Day.
But as this is going on, we also have the gender discrimination trial of Reddit interim-CEO Ellen Pao against her former employer Silicon Valley VC firm Kleiner Perkins which has put a spotlight on sexism and outright misogyny is Silicon Valley. See The Verge’s The Ellen Pao trial is spilling Silicon Valley secrets and New York Times Sunday Magazine, What’s Really at Stake in Ellen Pao’s Kleiner Perkins Lawsuit
Her lawsuit which allege the firm excluded women client dinner parties since because they “kill the buzz,” comes on the heals of similar lawsuits and settlements involving a Tinder co-founder who yanked co-founder Whitney Wolfe’s title having a woman on a board “makes the company seem like a joke” and CMEA Capital where a partner trapped female employees in his office.
February’s Newsweek cover story: What Silicon Valley Thinks of Women highlights the great progress women have made in Silicon Valley VCs. Twenty years ago, men accounted 97 percent of the partners at Silicon Valley VC firms. Today it is down to 96 percent.
Should we be encouraging women to get into the pipeline when we know the pipeline leads to a sewage treatment plant?
Then Houston, we have a problem.
News Updates
FCC’s Historic Day: Net Neutrality and Muni-Broadband Protection
Obama’s Privacy Bill of Rights Discussion Draft Gets Chilly Reception
After Several Check Swings, FTC Hits Company Over Incentivizing Reviews
Study: Most People Won’t Stop Online Bullies
It’s official: NSA spying is hurting the US tech economy
Hillary Clinton’s use of private email not unusual, but still raises questions
Shout Outs
Congressman Ted Lieu
Silicon Beach’s new Congressman has been elected President of the Freshman class in the House of Representatives and held a memorable swearing-in ceremony at UCLA with many prominent area elected officials and community leaders.
Mark Randazza
Wins $900K Revenge Porn Judgment against Eric Chanson and Kevin Bolleart operators of YouGotPosted.com.
National Consumer Protection Week
National Consumer Protection Week 2015 takes place March 1-7. Go to ncpw.gov to find consumer tips and free materials from government and private organizations. Be an informed consumer; avoid scams and fraud!
Cyber Law & Business Report 