The Washington State House of Representatives passed several bills Wednesday that would impose new regulations on surveillance technology and drones. The legislation makes spying via drone a state misdemeanor and increases the permissions that police are required to obtain to use newer forms of surveillance technology.
The regulations are part of an ongoing debate among hobbyists, lobbyists, politicians, privacy advocates, and the media about protecting privacy rights while allowing the progress of innovation.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is hosting a discussion of these issues at Seattle’s Town Hall March 11.
Reigning in the Surveillance Society will be lead by Chris Soghoian, the ACLU’s Principal Technologist with the Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project. He has a Ph.D, focused on the role that third party service providers play in facilitating law enforcement surveillance of their customers, and is a visiting fellow at Yale Law School’s Information Society Project.
RSVPs are optional for this free event, but do guarantee a spot if the venue reaches capacity.
That’s one of the selections from the GeekWire Calendar, our curated list of the Pacific Northwest’s top tech events. Keep reading and visit the full calendar for more.
Seattle Web Fest
The advent of streaming services has made web series more popular than ever. Netflix, Amazon, YouTube, Hulu, and others are all venturing into the original content market. Amazon’s original Transparent even scored a Golden Globe for Best Television Series this year. To celebrate this content revolution, Seattle filmmakers Matt Longmire, Liz Ellis, and Darlene Sellers are throwing Seattle’s first web-series festival. The program will feature screenings, panels, and an Awards Ceremony. Register for individual events here.
When and where: March 14, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Northwest Film Forum, Seattle.
Financing a Space Business
It’s an exciting time for the Space industry, but if you aren’t an astrophysicist or eccentric billionaire it can seem like a closed door — particularly if you’re trying to fund a project. Seattle meetup group Space Entrepreneurs hopes to demystify the process at their next event. The meetup will feature Joe Landon, Chairman of the Board of Space Angels Network, an angel investment group for people who finance aerospace and aviation startups. Landon will be joined by other industry experts in a private room at Bellevue Brewing Company. Tickets are on sale for $10 before March 10th, and then $15 here.
When and where: March 18, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Bellevue Brewing Company, Bellevue.
MITEF: The Future of Food
Food — as it relates to individuals and industry — is a remarkably complex issue, for such a basic aspect of human existence. It is influenced by technology, science, politics, environmentalism, social structure, and the media. To help unpack the role food plays in our world and in our future, The MIT Enterprise Forum has assembled a panel of experts. Researchers, agriculture experts, and chefs will join forces to address the food industry’s most pressing questions. Tickets are on sale for $50 here.
When and where: March 18, 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Dorsey & Whitney Law Offices, Seattle.
Pacific Science Center 12th Annual Foundations of Science Breakfast
Dr. Kathryn D. Sullivan, NOAA Administrator and Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere will be speaking at this year’s Pacific Science Center breakfast. Among Sullivan’s many accomplishments in oceanography and climate change, she holds the honor of being the first American woman to walk in space. The Pacific Science center invites guests to a half hour of networking before the breakfast and program. RSVP here.
When and where: March 26, 7 a.m. – 9 a.m. Pacific Science Center, Seattle.
GeekWire Ping Pong & Anniversary Bash
GeekWire is turning 4 years old this month, and we’re celebrating in the best way we know how: With a massive ping pong and foosball tournament. Sign up for expert and intermediate ping-pong tournaments, or startup favorite, foosball.
Not interested in playing ping-pong or foosball? That’s great, because this is a party first and foremost. The GeekWire Bash is a unique setting to mix and mingle with hundreds of key members of the Seattle tech community. Get your early-bird tickets today!
When and where: March 26, 3:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. Showbox SoDo, Seattle.
Items for this feature are picked from the GeekWire Calendar, where you can submit free listings for geeky gatherings and technology-related events in the Pacific Northwest.
