Sauvik Das
Assistant professor, Human-Computer Interaction Institute
Prior to joining CMU, Sauvik Das was an assistant professor of Interactive Computing at Georgia Tech. He directs the SPUD (Security, Privacy, Usability and Design) Lab. SPUD's work, at the intersection of HCI, AI and cybersecurity, is oriented around answering the question: How can we design systems that empower people with improved agency over their personal data and experiences online?
A few of his papers have been recognized with awards: a best paper at UbiComp (2013), a distinguished paper at SOUPS (2020), three best paper honorable mentions at CHI (2016, 2017, 2020), a best paper honorable mention at CSCW (2021), and an honorable mention for the NSA's Best Scientific Cybersecurity Paper (2014). His lab's work has been generously supported by the NSF and Facebook. His work has also been covered by the popular press, including features in The Atlantic, The Financial Times, and Dark Reading.
Research Interests
- 21st century skill development
- AI and ML for security
- Applications of security and privacy
- authentication and passwords
- cyber physical systems security and privacy
- cybersecurity + privacy
- emerging applications security
- Internet of Things (IoT)
- IoT security and privacy
- ML and AI
- privacy
- privacy enhancing technologies
- social networks security and privacy
- usable privacy and security
Media mentions
CyLab Security and Privacy Institute
Purpose Mode helps social media users stay focused on their desired tasks
A CMU research team has developed Purpose Mode — a browser extension that allows users to “toggle off” Attention Capture Damaging Patterns (ACDPs) while using social media platforms.
CyLab Security and Privacy Institute
CyLab researchers present at ACM CHI 2025
CyLab Security and Privacy Institute researchers will present nine papers and teach one course at the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI 2025).
CyLab Security and Privacy Institute
CyLab faculty, students present research at the 33rd USENIX Security Symposium
Carnegie Mellon faculty and students presented on a wide range of topics at the 33rd USENIX Security Symposium. Held in Philadelphia on August 14-16, the event brought together experts from around the world, who highlighted the latest advances in the security and privacy of computer systems and networks.
CyLab Security and Privacy Institute
CyLab researchers present at ACM CHI 2024
CyLab Security and Privacy Institute researchers presented 10 papers and participated in one special interest group at the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI 2024).
CyLab Security and Privacy Institute
CyLab researchers develop a taxonomy for AI privacy risks
A team of Carnegie Mellon University researchers constructed a taxonomy of AI privacy risks by analyzing 321 documented AI privacy incidents. The team’s goal was to codify how the unique capabilities and requirements of AI technologies described in those incidents generated new privacy risks, exacerbated known ones, or otherwise did not meaningfully alter known risks.
CyLab Security and Privacy Institute
Unplugging doubt
Smart speakers and other Internet of Things (IoT) devices often have always-on microphones to enable voice-based interaction. In a recent paper, CyLab faculty member Sauvik Das and a team of researchers propose a new concept of "intentionally powered" microphones that can only be powered using the energy harvested from intentional user interactions.
Carnegie Bosch Institute
Meet CBI Faculty Host: Sauvik Das
Sauvik Das directs the SPUD (Security, Privacy, Usability and Design) Lab, which works at the intersection of human computer interfaces, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. His work is oriented around answering the question, "how can we design systems that empower people with improved agency over their personal data and experiences online?" He will be hosting the CBI fellow William Agnew, focusing on advancing this line of work with an emphasis on marginalized communities.
CyLab Security and Privacy Institute
CyLab faculty, students to present at the 32nd USENIX Security Symposium
Carnegie Mellon faculty and students will present on a wide range of topics at the 32nd USENIX Security Symposium. Held in Anaheim, CA, on August 9-11, the event brings together experts from around the world, who will highlight the latest advances in the security and privacy of computer systems and networks.
ABC News
Das defines AI
HCII’s Sauvik Das spoke with ABC News to help define the term artificial intelligence.
CyLab Security and Privacy Institute
CyLab announces first round of Secure Blockchain Initiative funded projects
Carnegie Mellon University's Secure Blockchain Initiative (SBI) is off and running, as six projects have been selected for its first round of seed funding. Through research, the initiative aims to revolutionize blockchain technology within enterprise ecosystems by tackling various challenges.
KDKA's Talk Pittsburgh
Das helps explain Facebook’s $725 million settlement
HCII’s Sauvik Das appeared on KDKA’s “Talk Pittsburgh” to help explain Facebook’s $725 million settlement.
WESA
Das discusses potential security risks around TikTok
Following Lancaster County’s decision to ban TikTok on county devices, HCII’s Sauvik Das joined WESA’s “The Confluence” to discuss the app’s potential security risks.