The Cambridge Analytica scandal. Data breaches at hotels, banks, rideshare companies, and hospitals. Facial recognition. DNA databases. We're living through the data privacy apocalypse, and it's time to figure out what happens next. Here to discuss that with us at the next Ars Technica Live is Ashkan Soltani, an independent researcher and technologist who specializes in data privacy.

Recently, Soltani testified before the US and UK governments about Facebook's privacy practices and how they make user data available to third parties. Soltani also authored the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018, which regulates large companies that make more than 50 percent of their revenues from selling California residents' personal information. The CCPA was signed into law earlier this year.

Soltani will be in conversation with Ars Technica editors Cyrus Farivar and Annalee Newitz.

Soltani previously served a brief stint as a senior advisor to the US chief technology officer in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and as the chief technologist for the Federal Trade Commission, advising the commission on its technology-related policy as well as helping to create its new Office of Technology Research and Investigation. He also served at the FTC in 2010 as one of the first staff technologists in the Division of Privacy and Identity Protection, helping to lead investigations into major technology companies such as Google, Facebook, Twitter, HTC, and PulsePoint. Soltani was also recognized as part of the 2014 Pulitzer winning team for his contributions to the Washington Post’s coverage of National Security issues.

Ars Technica Live takes place on the second Wednesday of every month at Eli's Mile High Club in Oakland (3629 MLK Way—they have the best tater tots you've ever eaten).

Doors open at 7pm, and the live filming is from 7:30pm to 8:20-ish (be sure to get there early if you want a seat). Stick around afterward for informal discussion, beer, and snacks. Can't make it out to Oakland? Never fear! Episodes will be posted to Ars Technica two weeks after the live events.

The event is free but space is limited, so RSVP using Eventbrite. You can see previous Ars Live discussions here.