Peter Eckersley has died.

September 3, 2022 12:59 PM

Peter Eckersley (1979-2022) "Security engineer, digital rights activist, AI safety and policy researcher. Beloved in these communities."
posted by diodotos (41 comments total)

the about me from his homepage

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posted by NoThisIsPatrick at 1:06 PM on September 3, 2022 [1 favorite]

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posted by Navelgazer at 1:35 PM on September 3, 2022

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posted by Kattullus at 1:35 PM on September 3, 2022

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posted by whatevernot at 1:36 PM on September 3, 2022

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posted by robbyrobs at 1:37 PM on September 3, 2022

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posted by Ten Cold Hot Dogs at 1:43 PM on September 3, 2022

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posted by riruro at 2:05 PM on September 3, 2022

• "Peter Eckersley, may his memory be a blessing", an obituary from the LetsEncrypt forum.

• Here's a collection of his research papers.

Since you're reading this on the internet, there's a good chance you're using something he worked on.
posted by Harvey Kilobit at 2:06 PM on September 3, 2022 [5 favorites]

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posted by potrzebie at 2:19 PM on September 3, 2022

This quote from Mizza is extraordinary:

Let's Encrypt is something we all came to take for granted very quickly, but lots of us remember when getting an SSL certificate was an expensive and tedious process. Deprecating a billion dollar industry overnight and providing better security for internet users everywhere is a hell of a legacy to leave behind, and I hope one that will be an inspiration for generations to come.

I keep meaning to donate to the Let's Encrypt project - it's something all my clients benefit from, and indeed it benefits everyone on the internet. Maybe today I'll finally make that donation in memory of Peter.

Thank you for sharing this sad news with us, diodotos. It's a good day to think about all the immense, enduring, widespread good Peter did in his short life.
posted by kristi at 2:29 PM on September 3, 2022 [13 favorites]

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posted by Tailkinker to-Ennien at 2:29 PM on September 3, 2022

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posted by lalochezia at 2:58 PM on September 3, 2022

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posted by niicholas at 3:05 PM on September 3, 2022

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posted by They sucked his brains out! at 3:28 PM on September 3, 2022

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posted by Mutant Lobsters from Riverhead at 3:38 PM on September 3, 2022

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posted by welcotar at 3:47 PM on September 3, 2022

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posted by tonycpsu at 3:48 PM on September 3, 2022

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posted by northtwilight at 4:25 PM on September 3, 2022

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posted by brainwane at 4:53 PM on September 3, 2022

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posted by Token Meme at 4:54 PM on September 3, 2022

I worked with pde when we were shipping Let's Encrypt. He was a kind visionary and excellent instigator. He'll be missed.
posted by jmhodges at 5:12 PM on September 3, 2022 [2 favorites]

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posted by inflatablekiwi at 5:20 PM on September 3, 2022

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posted by wheek wheek wheek at 5:28 PM on September 3, 2022

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posted by schmod at 7:26 PM on September 3, 2022

"He lived sans LinkedIn."

Something to aspire to....

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posted by COD at 7:50 PM on September 3, 2022 [3 favorites]

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posted by lapolla at 7:57 PM on September 3, 2022

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posted by humbug at 8:13 PM on September 3, 2022

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posted by vorpal bunny at 8:34 PM on September 3, 2022

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posted by AlSweigart at 10:39 PM on September 3, 2022

Didn't know the dude, but I sure know his legacy. His leaving so soon is a real punch in the gut. RIP dude.
posted by RustyBrooks at 10:59 PM on September 3, 2022

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posted by ltl at 12:22 AM on September 4, 2022

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posted by avapoet at 12:23 AM on September 4, 2022

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I briefly knew him in Melbourne, before he joined the EFF. He seemed like a very decent fellow.
posted by acb at 4:52 AM on September 4, 2022

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posted by crocomancer at 5:11 AM on September 4, 2022

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posted by detachd at 5:38 AM on September 4, 2022

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posted by leslies at 6:59 AM on September 4, 2022

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posted by Alterscape at 7:06 AM on September 4, 2022

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posted by runehog at 9:23 AM on September 4, 2022

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posted by Obscure Reference at 9:29 AM on September 4, 2022

Damn. He was a darling friend.

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posted by foxtongue at 4:51 AM on September 5, 2022

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posted by qxntpqbbbqxl at 9:54 PM on September 6, 2022