Network Archives

AmEx Must Share Dutch Account Info With IRS

"In its latest John Doe summons, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is requiring American Express to send account information of Dutch residents with credit or debit cards linked to bank accounts outside the Netherlands to U.S. tax authorities. The IRS had requested the information in cooperation with the Dutch government as part of an investigation to determine whether Dutch citizens living outside the Netherlands are complying with tax laws." Continue reading →

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151 million records, 42 targets: US Intelligence “transparency report”

"Because the NSA collects data on numbers that are 'two hops' away from a targeted phone, records would be collected from any number that called or was called by the target number, and then every number each of those numbers interacted with. As a result, collection expands exponentially as additional targets are added." Continue reading →

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FBI’s Comey: Americans Should Not Expect ‘Absolute Privacy’

"FBI Director James Comey has put to rest any hope of achieving privacy in the United States. Speaking at a cybersecurity conference at Boston College on Wednesday, Comey said that 'there is no such thing as absolute privacy in America.' He added that everything Americans engage in, including conversations with members of the clergy and their attorneys, live within 'judicial reach.' 'In appropriate circumstances, a judge can compel any one of us to testify in court about those very private communications,' Comey said, according to CNN, which obtained a video of his remarks." Continue reading →

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FBI Building National Watchlist That Gives Companies Real-Time Updates on Employees

"Employers are even offered the option to purchase lifetime subscriptions to the program for the cost of $13 per person. The decision to participate in Rap Back is at employers’ discretion. Employees have no choice in the matter. There are no laws preventing the FBI from using the data it collects for other purposes, said Jeramie Scott, an attorney with the Electronic Privacy Information Center. A massive trove of digital fingerprints collected by the FBI, he noted, could be used to open up devices like smart phones without the owner’s consent. In addition, Scott pointed out that the FBI often collects a photo of Rap Back participants’ faces." Continue reading →

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Hemp Decriminalized in Washington, But Opposition Remains Strong

OLYMPIA, Wash. (May 5, 2017) – A bill recently signed by Washington Gov. Gov. Jay Inslee removed industrial hemp from the states controlled substance list, authorizing hemp production despite federal prohibition. But at least one state agency refuses to go down without a fight and essentially wants to help attorney general Jeff Sessions wage his…

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Texas House Passes Bill to Facilitate Operation of Bullion Depository

AUSTIN, Texas (May 5, 2017) – Yesterday, the Texas House unanimously passed a bill that would facilitate the establishment and operation of the Texas Bullion Depository; helping to undermine the Federal Reserve’s monopoly on money. Rep. Giovanni Capriglione (R-Keller) introduced House Bill 3169 (HB3169) in March. The legislation includes various provisions for the operation and administration of…

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Signed by the Governor: Montana Bill Taking on Warrantless Electronic Data Collection

HELENA, Mont. (May 4, 2017) – Yesterday, Montana Gov. Steve Bullock signed a bill to require police to get a warrant in order to obtain electronic communication information from service providers in most cases. The new law will not only increase privacy protections in the state, it will also hinder one practical aspect of federal…

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Vermont House Passes Marijuana Legalization Bill

MONTPELIER, Vt. (May 4, 2017) – Yesterday, the Vermont House passed a bill that would legalize possession and cultivation of small amounts of marijuana. If approved, the legislation would help further nullify the unconstitutional federal prohibition on cannabis in the state. A bipartisan coalition of four representatives introduced House Bill 170 (H.170) in February. The legislation…

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