Yearly Archives: 2013

Owner of Snowden’s Email Service on Why He Closed Lavabit Rather Than Comply

"Lavabit, an encrypted email service believed to have been used by National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden, has abruptly shut down. The move came amidst a legal fight that appeared to involve U.S. government attempts to win access to customer information. In a Democracy Now! broadcast exclusive, we are joined by Lavabit owner Ladar Levison and his lawyer, Jesse Binnall. 'Unfortunately, I can’t talk about it. I would like to, believe me,' Levison says. 'I think if the American public knew what our government was doing, they wouldn’t be allowed to do it anymore.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingOwner of Snowden’s Email Service on Why He Closed Lavabit Rather Than Comply

Google: Gmail users ‘have no legitimate expectation of privacy’

"As tensions worsen among privacy-focused email users amid the escalating scandal surrounding government surveillance, a brief filed by attorneys for Google has surfaced showing that Gmail users should never expect their communications to be kept secret. The motion, penned in hopes of having the United States District Court for the Northern District of California dismiss a class action complaint against the company, says Gmail users should assume that any electronic correspondence that's passed through Google’s servers can be accessed and used for an array of options, such as selling ads to customers." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGoogle: Gmail users ‘have no legitimate expectation of privacy’

Multiple New Polls Show Americans Reject Wholesale NSA Domestic Spying

"The poll revealed that Americans largely believe that the government has gone too far by a margin of 45% to 40%. This is a clear reversal from a January 2010 survey in which the same question found that 63% of voters believed the government didn’t 'go far enough to adequately protect the country.' In an Economist/YouGov poll, 56% of Americans do not think the NSA is telling the truth about the unconstitutional spying. The same poll found that 59% of people disapprove of the spying, while only 35% approve of it. A recent Fox News poll finds 62% of Americans think the collection of phone records is 'an unacceptable and alarming invasion of privacy rights.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMultiple New Polls Show Americans Reject Wholesale NSA Domestic Spying

Breaking the NSA Spy Ring: “What Rule of Law” Would Look Like

"Police Officer: Barack Obama? Barack Obama: Yes? Police Officer: You are under arrest for violations of United States Code, Title 18, Section 241, Conspiracy Against Rights; and Section 242, Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law. You have the right to remain silent when questioned. Anything you say or do may be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to consult an attorney before speaking to the police and to have an attorney present during questioning now or in the future. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you before any questioning, if you wish. If you decide to answer any questions now, [...]" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBreaking the NSA Spy Ring: “What Rule of Law” Would Look Like

Lavabit.com owner: ‘I could be arrested’ for resisting order to turn over user info

"The owner of an encrypted email service used by ex-NSA contractor Edward Snowden said he has been threatened with criminal charges for refusing to comply with a secret surveillance order to turn over information about his customers. 'I could be arrested for this action,' Ladar Levison told NBC News about his decision to shut down his company, Lavabit, in protest over a secret court order he had received from a federal court that is overseeing the investigation into Snowden. Levison said he started Lavabit 10 years ago to capitalize on public concerns about the Patriot Act. Until he shut down, his small company was generating about $100,000 in revenue annually." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingLavabit.com owner: ‘I could be arrested’ for resisting order to turn over user info

Angry Oklahoman confronts Republican congressman over NSA surveillance

"Republican Congressman James Lankford of Oklahoma received a verbal lashing at a town hall meeting on Tuesday from a man upset with the National Security Agency’s surveillance program. 'The DEA and the IRS are getting information from the NSA and using it to frame American citizens and then lying about where they got the information,' Dax Ewbank of Oklahoma City said at the event. 'This is what is happening. Now, what happens if the government becomes politically against my belief system or my lifestyle?' 'I do not accept this idea that we need to wait for two years while you guys figure out what to do,' Ewbanks said. 'It needs to end now.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAngry Oklahoman confronts Republican congressman over NSA surveillance

Brazil threatens to take claims of U.S. spying to the U.N.

"Brazil said Wednesday that it may go to the United Nations over US spying, which it said was not only used to combat terrorism, but also for industrial espionage. 'We are not satisfied with the explanations presented' by US Secretary of State John Kerry during a visit Tuesday, Communications Minister Paulo Bernardo told a congressional panel. 'Consequently, we will bring the case to international organizations, probably the United Nations.' American officials have defended the espionage programs as entirely lawful measures that have helped foil dozens of terror attacks globally." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBrazil threatens to take claims of U.S. spying to the U.N.

Egypt’s ElBaradei: liberal with ‘troubled conscience’

"The ex-diplomat, UN executive and Nobel laureate turned liberal political leader stepped down after scores were killed in a crackdown by security forces on loyalists of ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi. 'It has become too difficult to continue bearing responsibility for decisions I do not agree with and whose consequences I fear,' ElBaradei said. Ahead of the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq, he won admiration around the world and infuriated Washington by challenging claims that Saddam Hussein was hiding a secret nuclear programme." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingEgypt’s ElBaradei: liberal with ‘troubled conscience’

White House says Egypt’s new regime is on the ‘wrong path’

"The White House once again avoided using the word 'coup' to describe the recent overthrow of president Morsi – a move which would trigger an automatic congressional ban on US aid to the Egyptian military. Washington has suspended a recent shipment of F16 jets and said it was re-assessing whether to restart its $1.3bn of military aid, but its fears that a permanent severing of aid risks removing the only leverage it has in restraining the generals. For the moment, the White House insists it is simply continuing to evaluate its support, while stepping up its threat to sever ties if the military does not change tack." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWhite House says Egypt’s new regime is on the ‘wrong path’

More than 200 dead, 2,000 wounded as Egyptian security forces crush protesters

"Egyptian security forces crushed the protest camps of thousands of supporters of the deposed Islamist president on Wednesday, shooting almost 200 of them dead in the bloodiest day in decades. At least 235 people were killed in all, including at least 43 police, and 2,000 wounded. Prime Minister Hazem el-Beblawi defended the use of force, saying the authorities had no choice but to act to end 'the spread of anarchy'. 'We found that matters had reached a point that no self-respecting state could accept,' he said in a televised address. The crowds appeared to be armed mainly with sticks, stones and concrete slabs." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMore than 200 dead, 2,000 wounded as Egyptian security forces crush protesters