Year: 1993

Who: Latanya Sweeney

Where: Cambridge, Massachusetts

In 2001, Latanya Sweeney achieved a remarkable feat that would cement her place in history. Completing her Ph.D. in computer science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, she became the first African American woman to do so. Her groundbreaking work on data privacy, particularly the theory of k-anonymity, showcased not only her technical skill but also her commitment to protecting individual privacy in the digital age.

Sweeney's expertise extended beyond theoretical research. She served as the Chief Technologist at the Federal Trade Commission and founded the Data Privacy Lab at Harvard University. Her work influenced policies on data protection and highlighted the importance of ethical considerations in technological advancements.

Today, Sweeney's legacy is preserved in her role as the Daniel Paul Professor of the Practice of Government and Technology at Harvard Kennedy School. Her contributions are celebrated as a reflection of the ongoing dialogue between technology and society. Her story invites reflection on the balance between innovation and privacy, inspiring future generations to consider the societal impacts of technological progress.

Sources:

Websites:

• Dr. Latanya Sweeney's Home Page. Retrieved March 28, 2025, from https://latanyasweeney.org/indexlong.html

• Harvard Kennedy School. (n.d.). Latanya Sweeney. Harvard University. Retrieved March 28, 2025, from https://www.hks.harvard.edu/faculty/latanya-sweeneySweeney, L. (n.d.).