The Freedom Watch

American Authorities Considering Personal Electronics Ban for UK Flights

"The Guardian has revealed that the Trump administration is contemplating a laptop ban on US-bound passengers traveling from UK airports. If imposed, this new ban would mean that travelers headed to the US from the United Kingdom would be unable to bring laptops and possibly other electronic devices into the cabin as part of their carry-on luggage. However, these bans have been met with widespread criticism by professionals within the technology sector." Continue reading →

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Challenge Red Light Cameras, Get Fined for ‘Practicing Engineering Without a License’

"According to the board, Järlström's research into red light cameras and their effectiveness amounts to practicing engineering without a license. No, really. Järlström is now suing the state board over that fine, arguing that it's unconstitutional to prevent someone from doing math without the government's permission." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingChallenge Red Light Cameras, Get Fined for ‘Practicing Engineering Without a License’

IRS deliberately targeted innocents for civil forfeiture program

"The Treasury Inspector General released a report this month that reveals that the IRS deliberately targeted people they knew were not engaged in structuring for millions of dollars' worth of seizures, such that 91% of seizures were made in error, taking money away from people engaged in lawful activity. These seizures were 'quick hits' that allowed IRS enforcers the rack up impressive resolution stats because the victims were happy to negotiate a settlement, as opposed to actual criminal acts. The result: for the IRS, depositing $10,000 or more was an inherently suspicious act; but so was depositing $10,000 or less." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIRS deliberately targeted innocents for civil forfeiture program

Trump announces trade war with Canada, retroactive 20% tax on lumber

"Claiming the U.S. has been 'taken advantage of' under the Clinton-era NAFTA trade deal, President Trump Monday night opened a trade war with Canada, announcing a retroactive 20 percent 'tax' on lumber imports, and promising a similar tax on Canadian milk. 'Canada has treated us very unfairly,' the president said in impromptu remarks at a reception for conservative journalists. 'We have been taken so advantage of,' he said, speaking it the Roosevelt Room. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, who accompanied the president into the reception, said that the 'countervailing duty' would be retroactive 90 days." Continue reading →

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Bose accused of spying on end users, data mining via headphone app

"According to plaintiff Kyle Zak, the spying began when Bose released a mandatory Bose Connect application that all users must install to 'fully operate its wireless products.' What Bose didn’t draw much attention to, according to the suit, is that Bose Connect collects data on all the musical content or audio books that you listen to on its headphones. As the suit notes, this is a major invasion of privacy." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBose accused of spying on end users, data mining via headphone app

Dad and Daughter Hauled Off United Flight, Assumed Sex Trafficker

"A dad returning from Mexico with his 3-year-old daughter was briefly detained on suspicion that he was engaged in sex trafficking. (And not to pile on, but it was a United flight.) Despite papa having her passport, his passport, and a notarized letter from the mom saying that she gave them her permission to travel, the authorities felt compelled to act upon a 'tip'—a tip that was nothing more than a passenger's hysteria-fueled hunch that 3-year-olds are being trafficked right and left in the USA." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingDad and Daughter Hauled Off United Flight, Assumed Sex Trafficker

U.S. chooses Afghanistan for first “mother of all bombs” drop

"The Afghanistan strike had been in the works for a number of months, Martin reports. The weapon was brought into Afghanistan specifically for this mission. General John Nicholson, the commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, was required to get permission to use the weapon, but it’s unclear how far up the chain of command his request traveled." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingU.S. chooses Afghanistan for first “mother of all bombs” drop

British visitors to US to be ‘asked’ for passwords and phone contacts at airports

"British visitors to the US may be asked for social media usernames and passwords and their phone’s address book under new border checks being considered at US airports. The Trump administration is considering 'extreme vetting' scenarios in which even tourists from US allies such as the UK, France and Germany are subject to intense security checks, according to the Wall Street Journal. 'We will do it when we think there’s a reason to do it,' US Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly told a US Senate committee hearing last week." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBritish visitors to US to be ‘asked’ for passwords and phone contacts at airports