silicon valley

First Contact

“Let’s not break into jail”: Why Alex Stamos Says Facebook Was Afraid to Create Controversy

Alex Stamos spent three years as Facebook’s chief security officer. He oversaw a counterterrorism team that, he says, prevented multiple terrorist attacks without taking public credit. He also says that this approach to communications may have added to the criticism of the company following the Russian interference scandal in 2016. Read an edited transcript below, or listen to the full interview on the First Contact podcast. … Continue reading “Let’s not break into jail”: Why Alex Stamos Says Facebook Was Afraid to Create Controversy

Jack Regan
First Contact

What Kept Alex Stamos Up at Night as Facebook’s Security Chief

Alex Stamos spent three years as Facebook’s chief security officer. In addition to information security issues, he also oversaw the company’s Child Safety Investigations team. During that time he had to deal with some of the darkest the Internet has to offer. He tells Laurie Segall how that darkness sometimes followed him home. And how he’s changed since leaving Facebook. Read an edited transcript below, … Continue reading What Kept Alex Stamos Up at Night as Facebook’s Security Chief

Jack Regan
First Contact

Ex-Facebook Security Chief Believes Foreign Spies Are in Every Major US Tech Company

Alex Stamos spent three years as Facebook’s chief security officer, and it was during that time his team discovered Russia’s use of the platform to influence the 2016 presidential election. He knows better than anyone that bad actors are launching constant cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns aimed at the big tech companies. But sometimes, he explains, the attempts to infiltrate Silicon Valley are a bit more … Continue reading Ex-Facebook Security Chief Believes Foreign Spies Are in Every Major US Tech Company

Jack Regan