Harry Halpin, CEO and Co-founder at Nym Technologies
4.8/5 Rating
Technology, Cryptocurrency, SaaS, Marketplace
$830K/mo

Harry HalpinCEO and Co-founder

Harry Halpin discusses his journey from philosophy and activism into privacy technology, why mass surveillance threatens freedom, the origins of Nym, the future of internet privacy, and how decentralized networks can help protect users from censorship and tracking.

Harry Halpin

Harry Halpin

CEO and Co-founder

Nym Technologies

Nym Technologies

Founder Stats

  • Technology, Cryptocurrency, SaaS, Marketplace
  • Started 2019
  • $830K/mo
  • 81 employees team
  • Switzerland

About Harry Halpin

Harry Halpin is a computer scientist, privacy advocate, former MIT researcher, and the CEO and co-founder of Nym Technologies. His work focuses on building tools that make internet surveillance more difficult through decentralized privacy infrastructure. He believes privacy is a prerequisite for freedom of speech, political dissent, and human autonomy.

Interview

May 25, 2024

Q

What's your approach to building technology that normal people can use?

Question 1 of 8
Harry Halpin

I used to build tools for people like me nerds who love the command line. That was a mistake. Real privacy needs a crowd. So we're working hard to make Nym easy to use, like one button that just works. Everyone should be able to use it, not just techies.

0
Q

How do you explain Nym to someone who doesn't understand tech at all?

Question 2 of 8
Harry Halpin

I say it's like a super-private VPN. It helps stop companies and governments from watching everything you do online. And we're working to make it so easy that even your mom could just click a button and be safer.

0
Q

What role does decentralization play in your business strategy?

Question 3 of 8
Harry Halpin

It's everything. A centralized VPN can be shut down or pressured. With Nym, anyone can run a node. The network rewards them for mixing traffic, like Bitcoin mining. That way, even if we disappear, the system keeps running.

0
Q

What's the biggest business challenge you face?

Question 4 of 8
Harry Halpin

Usability and education. The tech works. But if people don't understand it or can't use it, it doesn't matter. That's where we struggle most not in writing code, but in making sure people know why privacy matters and how to protect themselves.

0
Q

How do you keep your team motivated when the mission is so difficult?

Question 5 of 8
Harry Halpin

We all believe in the cause. A lot of us are here because we care, not because we're chasing a paycheck. I tell people, if you're a programmer, don't just polish knobs on Gmail build tools that help people stay free. That belief keeps us going.

0
Q

What kind of people do you want working with you at Nym?

Question 6 of 8
Harry Halpin

I want people who believe in freedom. People who'd rather build something meaningful than chase stock options at Google. Whether you're a coder, designer, translator, or activist there's a role for everyone in this fight.

0
Q

How do you stay resilient as a founder in such a risky space?

Question 7 of 8
Harry Halpin

I think about the people who went through worse like Chelsea Manning or Julian Assange. I've been harassed, but I'm still standing. And if they take me out, the network goes on. That's the power of decentralization. You build so the mission survives, even if you don't.

0
Q

How do you handle criticism or pressure from powerful institutions?

Question 8 of 8
Harry Halpin

I've already been accused of terrorism just for climate activism. The FBI tried to get me fired. But now we've got funding and lawyers. We fight back. I want people to know they don't have to feel powerless. You can fight and survive.

0

Video Interviews with Harry Halpin

Harry Halpin: Building Privacy Infrastructure with Nym Technologies

Harry Halpin: Building Privacy Infrastructure with Nym Technologies

Harry Halpin: Building Privacy Infrastructure with Nym Technologies

Interview with Harry Halpin on Privacy Technology and Decentralization

Interview with Harry Halpin on Privacy Technology and Decentralization

Harry Halpin Discusses the Future of Privacy in the Digital Age

Harry Halpin Discusses the Future of Privacy in the Digital Age

Nym Technologies: A Conversation with CEO Harry Halpin

Nym Technologies: A Conversation with CEO Harry Halpin

Privacy, Surveillance, and Freedom: Harry Halpin on Building Nym

Privacy, Surveillance, and Freedom: Harry Halpin on Building Nym

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