Network Archives

Riveting and Chilling: Victims of IRS Targeting Tell Their Stories on Capitol Hill

"Testifying on Capitol Hill Tuesday, witnesses from Tea Party, pro-life and patriotic educational groups from around the country testified about their experience of intimidation and targeting from the Internal Revenue Service. Witnesses described being sent hundreds of pages from the IRS asking invasive questions about members, books, contents of prayers and the names of anyone attending meetings, including children." Continue reading →

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IRS Buying Spying Equipment: Covert Cameras in Coffee Trays, Plants

"The IRS, currently in the midst of scandals involving the targeting of conservative groups and lavish taxpayer-funded conferences, is ordering surveillance equipment that includes hidden cameras in coffee trays, plants and clock radios. The IRS wants to secure the surveillance equipment quickly – it posted a solicitation on June 6 and is looking to close the deal by Monday, June 10. The agency already has a company lined up for the order but is not commenting on the details." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIRS Buying Spying Equipment: Covert Cameras in Coffee Trays, Plants

Candidate Obama Debates President Obama On Government Surveillance

"On August 1, 2007, candidate Barack Obama sharply criticized then-President George W. Bush's government surveillance programs. Recently, following the disclosures of Edward Snowden, President Barack Obama defended the NSA's top-secret PRISM program. If you don't agree with President Obama, exercise your 1st amendment rights so together we can save our 4th amendment rights before it's too late." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCandidate Obama Debates President Obama On Government Surveillance

Russia offers to consider possible Edward Snowden asylum request

"Russia has offered to consider an asylum request from the US whistleblower Edward Snowden in the Kremlin’s latest move to woo critics of the west. Snowden fled the United States before leaking the details of a top-secret US surveillance programme to the Guardian earlier this month. He is currently believed to be in Hong Kong, but has reportedly changed hotels to keep his location secret. Snowden is not known to have made any asylum requests, including to Russia. Yet speaking to the Russian newspaper Kommersant, Dmitry Peskov, Vladimir Putin’s spokesman said: 'If such an appeal is given, it will be considered.'" Continue reading →

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European monitoring of civilians still far less than U.S., but growing

"Under a directive approved by the 27-member European Union in 2006, telecommunications operators and internet service providers are obliged to retain records of users’ calls and online activity for at least six months. The directive enables security services, if necessary, to check who has been communicating with whom, from where, at what time and for how long but stops short of enabling them to check the content of any communications. The European legislation was approved in the aftermath of bombings in Madrid in 2004 and London in 2005. Individual governments are free to require longer periods of data retention." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingEuropean monitoring of civilians still far less than U.S., but growing

EU wants privacy guarantees from U.S. amid PRISM crisis

“The EU said Tuesday it will seek a strong commitment from the United States to respect the rights of European citizens, following revelations that Washington is running a worldwide Internet surveillance programme. Viviane Reding, the EU’s Justice Commissioner, ‘will raise … Continue reading →

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Draper University Becomes the First Educational Institution to Accept Tuition in Bitcoin

"Draper University, a cutting edge boarding school for young entrepreneurs from all over the world, received its first tuition payment in Bitcoin for its summer session, which starts June 24. Draper University accepts various forms of tuition payments, including bartering for services, and now will also accept Bitcoin for tuition payments. The university, located in downtown San Mateo, offers an innovative program designed to inspire, cultivate, and educate students who dream to build companies that change the world around them. Draper University offers four sessions a year and is intended for young entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 to 26." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingDraper University Becomes the First Educational Institution to Accept Tuition in Bitcoin

Bitcoin among virtual currencies targeted in US crackdown on tax evasion

"Just weeks after US prosecutors shut down digital currency operator Liberty Reserve for allegedly running one of the biggest money laundering schemes ever uncovered, prosecutors are scrutinising the use of virtual currencies - which can be traded anonymously - to evade tax. In future, taxpayers could be forced to disclose to the IRS whether they are using PayPal accounts for the virtual transfer of money. The latest move follows a landmark decision by Switzerland last month, which accepted a settlement over alleged bank complicity in evasion by Americans. Switzerland had long considered bank secrecy laws untouchable." Continue reading →

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Switzerland seeks US response over alleged CIA bank spying

"The Swiss government on Tuesday revealed that it has asked the United States to explain an alleged CIA blackmail operation to spy on Switzerland's banks, exposed by whistleblower Edward Snowden. The Swiss foreign ministry told AFP that it was aware of media reports about the issue and that it had sent the US embassy in the capital Berne a diplomatic note seeking 'clarification'. The ministry also confirmed that Snowden was accredited as a diplomatic attache at the US permanent mission to the United Nations in Geneva from March 2007 to February 2009." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSwitzerland seeks US response over alleged CIA bank spying

Ron Paul: Defending the NSA means embracing ‘dictatorship’

"Appearing on CNN with host Piers Morgan on Monday, former Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) said that NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden has embarked on 'a heroic effort' in telling the world about the U.S. government’s spying capabilities, and warned that defending this type of unilateral, unchecked power means embracing 'dictatorship' moving forward. 'For somebody to tell the American people the truth is a heroic effort, and he knows that it’s very risky,' he continued. 'He knows he’s committing civil disobedience, and he knows that he could get punished.' Paul went on to say he believes there should be talk of penalties for officials who 'destroy the Constitution.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingRon Paul: Defending the NSA means embracing ‘dictatorship’