Hi, I'm Niharika!
I study finance, economics, and technology policy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Duke University. I care deeply about building a digital world that protects data privacy by default, and I embrace interdisciplinary solutions to reach this goal.
I’m pursuing Business Administration and Economics majors at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with a Certificate in Science and Society from Duke University. As part of the Robertson Scholars Leadership Program, I’ve been fortunate to embrace both UNC Chapel Hill and Duke as I’ve studied technology’s impact on society from the diverse perspectives of finance, economics, and public policy. My academic work primarily focuses on the intersection of data privacy and human rights, with a specific focus on the impact of data privacy on survivors of domestic violence and immigrants. My work has been published by the Journal of Law and the Biosciences and the Duke Cyber Policy and Gender Violence Initiative.
I’ve seen the power of investigative journalism and student advocacy to change the technology environment we currently live in. I’ve had the opportunity to grow as a writer through my work with The Daily Tar Heel, The Duke Chronicle, and The 9th Street Journal. Data privacy is a fundamentally nuanced topic, and my journalism experience has given me the tools to investigate and evaluate technology companies’ practices. I look forward to continuing to learn how we can reshape the technology industry and move away from the perception that privacy must be traded away for profit, instead focusing on building a technology environment that protects privacy at its core.
Academic Writing
The rise and regulation of thermal facial recognition technology during the COVID-19 pandemic, Journal of Law and the Biosciences
Throwing away the key: The unintended consequences of "Tough-on-Crime" laws (Forthcoming in 2021/2022), Perspectives on Politics
Policy Writing
Comment on DHS Proposed Rule: Collection and Use of Biometrics by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (with Bass Connections Biometrics and Immigration Policy team, Duke University)
Lewis Latimer Plan for Digital Equity and Inclusion, Chapter 14: Institutionalizing Digital Equity and Inclusion in the Policy Process, National Urban League
All the Ways Congress Wants to Change Section 230, Slate
Survivors of Domestic Violence Face Privacy Barriers in North Carolina Business Registration, Duke Cyber Policy and Gender Violence Initiative
Student Voices: Diving into the Safe Connections Act to Protect Survivors of Abuse, Duke Sanford School of Public Policy (with Duke Cyber Policy and Gender Violence Initiative)
The Safe Connections Act: Helping survivors break from abusers’ phone plans, Duke Cyber Policy and Gender Violence Initiative
Featured Op-Eds
To protect our privacy, we should divorce the Duke Marriage Pact. The Duke Chronicle, (February 13, 2021)
Privacy was on the ballot. The Duke Chronicle, (November 13, 2020)
Why are they still texting me? The Duke Chronicle, (October 29, 2020)
Big Education is watching you. The Duke Chronicle, (October 15, 2020)
Twitter failed at facial recognition. The Duke Chronicle, (October 1, 2020)
Facebook is no longer an '04 college networking site. It has to stop trying to be. The Duke Chronicle, (September 17, 2020)
'Zoom University' is now critical infrastructure for America’s economy—what’s next? The Duke Chronicle, (September 3, 2020)
Featured Journalism
Zoombombing at Cedar Ridge High raises cybersecurity concerns in area schools. The Daily Tar Heel, (September 9, 2020)
School districts work for equitable remote education amid coronavirus closings. The Daily Tar Heel, (March 26, 2020)
‘That was my last resort’: Durham’s second chance for tenants. The 9th Street Journal, (December 13, 2019)
‘You don’t know what’s behind the door’: Inside Durham’s evictions. The 9th Street Journal, (December 11, 2019)
Two DWI defendants walk into a courtroom: one leaves free, the other goes to prison. The 9th Street Journal, (October 16, 2019)
School, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition: Presentation of Chapter 14 recommendations in the Lewis Latimer Plan for Digital Equity and Inclusion (May 4, 2021)
Duke IT Advisory Committee: Discussion of "On Tech" investigation of Duke Marriage Pact and the potential privacy and cybersecurity threats to Duke and Duke students (April 15, 2021)
HackTJ 8.0: Privacy and Ethical Design workshop (April 10, 2021)
Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University: Alumni virtual event presenting key areas of work for the Duke Cyber Policy and Gender Violence Initiative (July 22, 2020)
1st Place, 2020 Ethical Tech Essay Competition (hosted by Kenan Institute for Ethics at Duke University) for “TikTok’s Physiognomic Bubbles and Algorithmic Bias Amplify Messages of Hate”
3rd Place, 2021 Ethical Tech Case Competition (hosted by Kenan Institute for Ethics at Duke University) for a response to the case prompt regarding the commercialization of facial recognition technology, using a skit to illustrate the commercial, policy, and technical dynamics related to the decision to pursue avenues for commercializing facial recognition
Duke Students Contribute Chapter to the Lewis Latimer Plan for Digital Equity and Inclusion
Duke Students Evaluate America's Irregular Broadband Access
Best Delegate, Harvard National Model United Nations (HNMUN) - hosted by Harvard University (February 2020)
Best Delegate, National Collegiate Security Conference (NCSC) - hosted by Georgetown University (October 2018)
2nd Place, 2021 Green Eyeshades Awards Best Columnist in the South (Student Category)