Orwellian

IRS Data Web Snares Mostly Low- and Middle-Income Taxpayers

"The IRS's next phase in high-tech tax collection will be to create a 'real-time' check of tax returns to 'match them to third party information.' Starting this year, the IRS tools will be able to track all credit card transactions. The agency has also instructed agents on using social media and e-commerce sites including eBay, as well as the rich data generated by mobile devices. Its computers are capable of scanning multiple networks at the same time to collect 'matching' comprehensive profiles for every taxpayer in America. Such profiles include shopping records, travel, social interactions, health records and files from other government investigators." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIRS Data Web Snares Mostly Low- and Middle-Income Taxpayers

FinFisher spyware used by governments is disguised as Firefox; Mozilla not happy

"FinFisher, also known as FinSpy, is a piece of malware developed by Gamma International and sold to governments of 36 different countries (the US included) to monitor the activities of computer users. The spyware was originally designed to aid with criminal investigations, but there have been reports that say it has been used for more than just to catch criminals, such as to monitor the activities of dissidents or [insert label here]. Mozilla, the maker of the popular Firefox browser, has issued a cease-and-desist letter to Gamma International because Mozilla alleges FinFisher is packaged to look like the Firefox browser." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFinFisher spyware used by governments is disguised as Firefox; Mozilla not happy

Is your webcam spying on you?

"Last week, a Texas judge denied a warrant request from the FBI that would have enabled federal gumshoes to snoop through his webcam, raising a question: Should the FBI be allowed to spy on you through your webcam? An Ars Technica report noted that the practice requested by the bureau was similar to surveillance methods used by an online community called Ratters. Texas Judge Stephen Smith denied the FBI request because the methods used would not only give the FBI access to the camera, but it would give them full control of the suspect’s computer, allowing them to access other files." Continue reading →

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Do You Want the Government Buying Your Data From Corporations?

"Our government collects a lot of information about us. Tax records, legal records, license records, records of government services received-- it's all in databases that are increasingly linked and correlated. Still, there's a lot of personal information the government can't collect. Either they're prohibited by law from asking without probable cause and a judicial order, or they simply have no cost-effective way to collect it. But the government has figured out how to get around the laws, and collect personal data that has been historically denied to them: ask corporate America for it." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingDo You Want the Government Buying Your Data From Corporations?

Companies That Protect Your Data From the Prying Eyes of Government

"The winners, that is those who require a warrant before giving up information and who also inform you of government requests, are: Dropbox; Foursquare; LinkedIn; Sonic.net; SpiderOak; Twitter; WordPress. The companies that roll over and immediately give up information and also don't notify you that you are the subject of a government request: Amazon; Apple; AT&T; Comcast; MySpace; Verizon; Yahoo. Google and Microsoft require a warrant before they provide information about you, but don't notify you that you are the subject of a government request." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCompanies That Protect Your Data From the Prying Eyes of Government

Tiny Device Will Detect Domestic Drones

"A Washington, D.C.-based engineer is working on the 'Drone Shield,' a small, Wi-Fi-connected device that uses a microphone to detect a drone's 'acoustic signatures' (sound frequency and spectrum) when it's within range. The company's founder, John Franklin, who has been working in aerospace engineering for seven years, says he hopes to start selling the device sometime this year. He is using the Kickstarter-like IndieGoGo to finance the project. The device will cost $69 and will be about the size of a USB thumb drive. He says he imagines that people will attach the Drone Shield to their fences or roofs to protect their home from surveillance." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingTiny Device Will Detect Domestic Drones

Dronebusters: Turning Spy Drones into Barney Fife

"An Oregon company says that it has developed a new technology which will prevent drones from 'completing their mission.' It will not say how this technology does this. It does not say what it will cost. But it claims that commercial units will be affordable for private homes. Whether local governments will place restrictions on its use, the way some states have made using car-based radar speed trap detectors illegal, also is yet to be seen. The important thing is that the company says the technology exists. There will probably be cheap Chinese knock-offs. The creativity of the free market works against the government. So does the basic incompetence of the government." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingDronebusters: Turning Spy Drones into Barney Fife

Do You Suffer from Philosophical Intoxication?

"That's the term used by the Soviet government against critics of that government as a rationale for imprisoning political dissenters in mental hospitals. It is also apparently the plan by the current sheriff of Palm Beach County, Florida, Rick Bradshaw. Bradshaw recently was awarded a $1 million grant from the Florida state legislature for a new 'violence prevention unit.' 'We want people to call us if the guy down the street says he hates the government,' Sheriff Bradshaw told the Palm Beach Post. He is planning a telephone 'hotline and is planning public service announcements to encourage residents to report their neighbors, friends, or family members'." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingDo You Suffer from Philosophical Intoxication?

Labour joins Tories in blocking UK Independence Party members from debates

"Labour leader Ed Miliband wants to block the UK Independence Party from having a role in the TV leader's debates, it emerged today. The Tories were already opposed to the idea of giving UKIP leader Nigel Farage equal status ahead of the 2015 general election. Labour had thought UKIP would only damage the Tories' election hopes. But strategists now fear UKIP's 'brand of anti-politics could damage all three main parties in unpredictable ways,' The Guardian reported." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingLabour joins Tories in blocking UK Independence Party members from debates

Spy, or pay up: FBI-backed bill would fine US firms for refusing wiretaps

"A US government task force is drafting FBI-backed legislation that would penalize companies like Google and Facebook for refusing to comply with wiretap orders, media report. In the new legislation being drafted by US law enforcement officials, refusal to cooperate with the FBI could cost a tech company tens of thousands of dollars in fines, the Washington Post quoted anonymous sources as saying. The fined company would be given 90 days to comply with wiretap orders. If the organization is unable or unwilling to turn over the communications requested by the wiretap, the penalty sum would double every day." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSpy, or pay up: FBI-backed bill would fine US firms for refusing wiretaps