Jacob Appelbaum is an American security researcher, former Tor Project developer, and WikiLeaks associate. He was a prominent figure in privacy advocacy before leaving the security community amid controversy in 2016.
Contributions
- Core Tor Project developer (2008-2016)
- WikiLeaks representative in the United States
- Security research and vulnerability disclosure
- NSA surveillance exposure (with Der Spiegel)
Privacy Advocacy
Appelbaum was a vocal advocate for privacy and anonymity tools, frequently speaking at conferences about surveillance and the importance of encryption.
Departure from Tor
In 2016, Appelbaum left the Tor Project following allegations of misconduct. The situation led to broader discussions about community standards in security circles.