Tech Whistleblowers: Honoring Ifeoma Ozoma
According to her LinkedIn profile, Ifeoma Ozoma is the Founder and Principal of Earthseed, a consulting firm advising individuals, organizations, and companies on the issues of tech accountability, public policy, health misinformation, and related communications. She is a tech policy expert with experience leading global public policy partnerships, public policy related content safety development, and US Federal, State, and International policymaker engagement at Pinterest, Facebook, and Google.
That’s one helluva bio.
Ozoma is also a Yale grad, leading researcher, and trusted advisor. Her health misinformation initiatives “have been lauded by the World Health Organization, the Washington Post’s Editorial Board, and the New York Times.” She’s received the Healthy Corporate Citizen Award for extraordinary commitment to addressing the determinants of health and is a winner of the 2020 Bold Prize. Universities, legislators, and UN agencies depend on her counsel and partnership.
She’s also a Tech Whistleblower.
Ifeoma Ozoma understands retaliation and mistreatment by colleagues. She’s all too familiar with pay discrimination, doxing, and white supremacy. Listen to her recent interview with Bridgett Todd on the podcast, Pay Us What You Owe: Why Black Women in Tech are Tired. It’s important to hear survivors tell their own stories.
Perhaps you recognize Ozoma as one of two Black women who accused Pinterest of gender and racial discrimination. In this Washington Post article, she and Aerica Shimizu Banks “claim they were underpaid, faced racist comments, and were subject to retaliation for raising complaints.” I cannot imagine the risk, strength, and courage it took for these women to publicly share their stories. While they demonstrate bravery and integrity, there is tremendous backlash and unseen trauma for every whistleblower. May their actions inspire more of us to illuminate toxic systems of oppression.
Cherishing the Whistleblowers*
Tech Whistleblowing, the first in a series by Omidyar Network called "The Tech We Want," features Ifeoma Ozoma. I highly recommend this “community conversation which discusses the history and landscape of tech whistleblowing, and answers frequently asked questions.” It’s a boon for Truth Tellers.
Hosted by Aniyia Williams and Sarah Drinkwater, this recorded conversation acknowledges, “We live in a fucked up capitalist system.” This system is not set up to change from within, so how can resources and relief funds be provided to whistleblowers in the tech industry? Lucky for you, the presentation slides are available here.
Ozoma emphasizes the need for accessible resources for anyone considering if/how to hold tech companies accountable. Legal guidance, media training, and tips on engaging with the press are necessary. Information about documentation and security is also critical for anyone preparing for a David and Goliath situation. These are examples of the brilliant questions Ozoma presents:
At what point should you engage a lawyer?
What does anonymity mean when engaging with the press?
How can companies monitor your activity on company owned devices and networks?
How can tech workers break the “code of silence?”
Relevant AF, right? I especially value her recognition that relief funds need to be available to whistleblowers for physical and mental health costs. Losing employer-paid health insurance is of great concern for anyone weighing the risks of speaking truth to power. Not all of us have the means to cough up $900/month for health insurance.
Collecting case studies and first-hand stories from other whistleblowers, Ozoma asserts, is needed to understand the scope and impact of harassment and discrimination in tech. Additionally, providing tech whistleblowers access to mental health services and support groups are important to foster healing and recovery for those who have put it all on the line. Mad respect to her for addressing the physical and psychological costs to whistleblowing.
I am grateful - and hopeful - to learn about The Silenced No More Act, introduced in California by Senator Connie Leyva (D-Chino). The bill is “aimed at empowering more workers to speak up about alleged discrimination and abuse by banning certain provisions in confidentiality agreements.” This Act was informed by Ozoma and Banks, demonstrating the power of whistleblowers to impact social change.
“My experience facing workplace discrimination, then publically demanding accountability, speaks to the importance of this legislation for all Californians,” Ifeoma Ozoma, one of the two former Pinterest employees, said in a statement. “I’m proud to support this bill and the intersectional protections it would bring to tens of millions of workers.”
Thank you for your leadership and fortitude, Ms. Ozoma. Thank you to Ms. Williams and Ms. Drinkwater for what you’re doing at Omidyar Network. And deep gratitude to the tech whistleblowers past, present, and in-the-making. Your integrity inspires me.
Learn more about Responsible Technology and how you can participate in the The Tech We Want.
*Cherish the Whistleblowers is a key tenant for Institutional Courage, a concept I learned from Dr. Jennifer Freyd.