Tech veteran Tariq Yusuf is running for Seattle City Council Position 8. His wake-up call came when working at Google, where he was involved in building products that could be used for military applications. This contrasted with his belief that tech should be a force for good. Yusuf shifted into privacy engineering roles and started thinking about how technology can be used to benefit the community. This led to his decision to run for City Council, aiming to bring a perspective on building for good and leveraging technology for the betterment of society.
Yusuf, a Seattle native, credits public housing and social programs for his education and career. Frustrated by cuts to such programs forcing people to leave Seattle, he decided to run for City Council to make a difference. He believes that Seattle underestimates its value to tech companies and should have more conversations about using funds to benefit the community. Yusuf supports the JumpStart tax model, targeting payrolls at large companies, including tech giants like Amazon, to generate revenue for the city.
In his approach to city problems, Yusuf applies a user experience perspective, looking at issues such as education, housing, and public safety. He seeks to bring a broader perspective to policy discussions and make social services more accessible through technology. However, he warns against the overuse of technology in public safety and emphasizes the importance of addressing underlying issues like food security and stable housing to prevent crime. He believes in implementing evidence-driven solutions rather than relying on technology without proven effectiveness.
Yusuf’s background as a privacy engineer influences his views on technology and its role in society. While he enjoys technology in his personal life, playing video games and getting involved in motorsports, he is cautious about its impact on public safety. He believes technology should be used responsibly and that the best approach to crime prevention involves addressing social issues rather than relying solely on surveillance tools. As a candidate for City Council, Yusuf aims to bring a tech-savvy perspective to city governance and ensure that technology is used for the benefit of the community.
Yusuf’s campaign for City Council Position 8 includes a focus on leveraging technology for the betterment of society and advocating for policies that benefit the community. He emphasizes the need for a more robust conversation about the role of tech companies in funding programs to support the local community. With his background in privacy engineering, Yusuf brings a unique perspective on technology and its impact on public safety and social services. He aims to address underlying issues in society and ensure that technology is used responsibly for the benefit of all.
As a Seattle native who grew up benefiting from public programs, Tariq Yusuf is running for City Council to make a difference in his community. He believes that the city’s relationship with tech companies can be mutually beneficial and advocates for policies that leverage technology for the betterment of society. With a background in privacy engineering, Yusuf brings a unique perspective on technology and its impact on public safety. He aims to address underlying social issues and ensure that technology is used responsibly for the benefit of all.
