Network Archives

Bitcoin In IRS Crosshairs, Says Government Report

"There is confusion whether transactions in Bitcoin should be treated as property, barter, foreign currency, or a financial instrument. How you see it can determine the tax treatment. Barter transactions may be the most logical treatment, but not everyone agrees. Besides, even without Bitcoins or other exotica, bartering transactions are inherently under-reported. And then there is tax basis. If you sell something for less than you paid, you shouldn’t have gain. That’s true in U.S. dollars or in Bitcoin. If you sell something at a garage sale, you may or may not have income. Brave new world? GAO and IRS don’t think so." Continue reading →

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Onion Pi turns Raspberry Pi into Tor proxy and wireless access point

"A good project for users looking to anonymize their Internet traffic, 'Onion Pi' requires just a Raspberry Pi, a few standard peripherals, and some work in the command line. 'Using it is easy-as-pie,' Adafruit wrote. 'First, plug the Ethernet cable into any Internet provider [sic] in your home, work, hotel or conference/event. Next, power up the Pi with the Micro USB cable to your laptop or to the wall adapter. The Pi will boot up and create a new secure wireless access point called Onion Pi. Connecting to that access point will automatically route any web browsing from your computer through the anonymizing Tor network.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingOnion Pi turns Raspberry Pi into Tor proxy and wireless access point

Google reveals top-secret plan to beam Internet to developing world from balloons at the edge of space

"Google revealed top-secret plans Saturday to send balloons to the edge of space with the lofty aim of bringing Internet to the two-thirds of the global population currently without web access. Scientists from the technology giant released up to 30 helium-filled test balloons flying 20 kilometres (12.4 miles) above Christchurch in New Zealand Saturday, carrying antennae linked to ground base stations. While still in the early stages, Project Loon hopes eventually to launch thousands of balloons to provide Internet to remote parts of the world, allowing the more than four billion people with no access to get online. It could also be used to help after natural disasters." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGoogle reveals top-secret plan to beam Internet to developing world from balloons at the edge of space

Google Challenges FISA Gag Orders on Free Speech Grounds

"Google filed a legal challenge today against gag orders that come with the FISA court orders it receives from the FBI and NSA, on grounds that the silence orders impinge on the company’s First Amendment rights to speak freely about the data requests it receives for user data. Google is seeking permission to publish the number of requests for data (.pdf) that it receives from the government, as well as the number of user accounts affect by the requests, according to the motion it filed in the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court in Washington, D.C." Continue reading →

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Attempted Land Grab Ends With Voters Booting Entire City Council

"Government officials like to use eminent domain for the convenience of their preferred policies and/or the enrichment of themselves and their buddies. Usually, they get away with it, because the folks on the receiving end are too few and powerless to hold their tormentors to account. In Hackensack, New Jersey, however, the officials who targeted Michael Monaghan's property for seizure as part of an 'area in need of redevelopment,' even while denying him the right to develop it himself, pushed too many people around, too often. Last month, voters booted out the entire city council." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAttempted Land Grab Ends With Voters Booting Entire City Council

Teens Start Rental Car Company, Get Sued By City Of San Francisco For ‘Unfair Business Practices’

"Said three teenagers to themselves last year: 'Yeah, sure, we could go to college. But wouldn’t it be more fun to up-end the airport rental car business?' The idea was this: At every major airport, acres of cars sit idle, left parked by owners who have jetted off. Why couldn’t these same cars be rented to arriving travelers? Rates could be dramatically cheaper than those charged by traditional car rental companies, since, under this model, the rental company wouldn’t have to pay for or maintain the fleet. It’s easy to see how traditional rental companies might not be amused to have their prices undercut. But San Francisco International is crying foul, as well." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingTeens Start Rental Car Company, Get Sued By City Of San Francisco For ‘Unfair Business Practices’

FBI director admits domestic use of drones for surveillance

"The FBI uses drones for domestic surveillance purposes, the head of the agency told Congress. Robert Mueller confirmed to lawmakers that the FBI owns several unmanned aerial vehicles, but has not adopted any strict policies or guidelines yet to govern the use of the controversial aircraft. Mueller said the FBI has and will continue to weigh the possibility of publishing more information about its spy habits, but warned that doing such would be to the advantage of America’s enemies. 'There is a price to be paid for that transparency,' Mueller said. 'I certainly think it would be educating our adversaries as to what our capabilities are.'" Continue reading →

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Canada’s Harper gives up on Russia assisting Syrian rebels, labels G8 summit ‘G-7 plus 1’

"At least one official at the G-8, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, suggested that Russia shouldn’t even be at the table with other world leaders. He blasted Russian President Vladimir Putin and all but dismissed Russia from meaningful involvement in this week’s talks. The G-8 includes the U.S., Canada, Russia. Great Britain, France, Italy, Germany and Japan. The group is holding its annual meeting this week at a resort in Northern Ireland, with the Syrian civil war expected to dominate the agenda. The recent U.S. decision to arm Syrian rebel forces has been met with approval from Great Britain, France and other nations." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCanada’s Harper gives up on Russia assisting Syrian rebels, labels G8 summit ‘G-7 plus 1’