Daniel Purdy, Dual MA in Slavic and East European Studies and Public Affairs, Class of 2013

Where do you work and what is your current position?

I work for the Android Security and Privacy Team at Google as a Threat Intel Analyst leading the Privacy and User Data Abuse portfolio. Our role is to identify and assess threats to Android and to advise our Product, Engineering, Policy, and Legal teams on opportunities to mitigate risk. Over the last two years, I’ve focused on risks to users arising from data brokers, location data, user tracking, biometrics, and how mobile devices can be used to surveil or help vulnerable users in regions such as Afghanistan, Iran, and Ukraine. 

Tell us how you got there.

Prior to Google, I worked at the Government Accountability Office (the Congressional Watchdog) where I supported two major efforts. The first was in Tribal Infrastructure & Self-Governance, where I spent two years traveling to Reservations across the country, interviewing tribal members and government officials, and making recommendations to Congress. Our teams’ coordinated efforts resulted in Tribal Education, Health Care, and Infrastructure being added to the GAO High-Risk list, as programs that are particularly vulnerable. The second was at the Department of Defense where I helped drive a new portfolio of work investigating risks to the department from opaque corporate structuring.  

After four years in D.C., I applied for a role at Google and with an inordinate amount of luck, started working in Policy Operations leading the Violent Extremism and Hate portfolio. Moments I remember from this role include helping limit the spread of ISIS propaganda, responding to the Christchurch Shooting, and traveling through Southeast Asia to interview members of civil society and academia on emerging VE risks in the region. While proud of the opportunity I had to help protect users from some of the worst-of-the-worst content on the internet, I jumped at the chance to move to Android to help start an intel team and learn a new skill set in the privacy and security space.

How has your CSEEES MA helped you throughout your post-graduate life?

I pursued a dual MPA/MA degree with the Glenn School & CSEEES. Unfortunately, I don’t use my Russian language skills very frequently. However, the foundational skills I learned in research methodologies and oral and verbal communications were critical to my success. That said, I have a few recommendations for students getting ready to enter the workforce. First, 90% of the work I’ve done has been as part of a team—grow your emotional intelligence skills and use the team projects in your classes to learn to thrive in that setting. Second, learn to write concisely! It’s rare that anyone will read an email longer than three bullet points or a memo longer than two pages. Finally, have a voice and an opinion—don’t be afraid to speak up if you don’t agree with the direction being proposed or to ask questions when there is a lack of precision. 

What inspires you?

I’m inspired by three things:

• Protecting individuals from bad actors and abusive activities
• Constantly learning 
• Teaching what I’ve learned and helping to grow those around me