Police State

U.S. Officials Deal Blow to Bitcoin

"The scrutiny comes after the Treasury Department ruled in March that firms issuing or exchanging online cash, including currencies not backed by a central bank, would be subject to the same money-laundering rules as traditional providers like Western Union Co. A number of firms have registered as money-transmission businesses since the agency issued the guidance, but Mt. Gox hasn't done so, according to a FinCen list. The agency doesn't have authority to take on Mt. Gox directly because it is based in Tokyo, but has fired a shot across the exchange's bow by going after its U.S. subsidiary." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingU.S. Officials Deal Blow to Bitcoin

Feds reveal the search warrant used to seize Mt. Gox account

"In the warrant, a special agent with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), states that there's probable cause to believe Mt. Gox is engaging in 'money transmitting' without a license, a crime punishable by a fine or up to five years in prison. The warrant goes on to demand that Dwolla hand over the keys to account number 812-649-1010, which is owned by Mt. Gox subsidiary Mutum Sigillum LLC, and held in the custody of Veridian Credit Union. The funds in that account 'are those of Mt. Gox customers that withdraw said funds from Mt. Gox and direct their transfer to Dwolla.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFeds reveal the search warrant used to seize Mt. Gox account

Homeland Security Seizes Funds Associated with Dwolla Account of Bitcoin Dealer Mt. Gox

"The Department of Homeland Security has served a court order to the money exchange service Dwolla, in regard to its dealings with Mt. Gox. Earlier today, I reported on news that the Department of Homeland Security ordered the money transfer firm from transacting with the Bitcoin dealer Mt. Gox. More details are now emerging. A representative for Dwolla told Betabeat that, 'The Department of Homeland Security and U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland issued a ‘Seizure Warrant’ for the funds associated with Mutum Sigillium’s Dwolla account (a.k.a. Mt. Gox).'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHomeland Security Seizes Funds Associated with Dwolla Account of Bitcoin Dealer Mt. Gox

The Digital Trap in your Offshore Plan

"It is concerning to see people contacting their offshore lawyers, real estate agents, investment professionals, bankers, etc. using their Gmail, Yahoo, or Hotmail account. Even more concerning is how many offshore professionals were using these free US email accounts themselves. When I told these providers that US law enforcement authorities could access any emails over 6 months old without a warrant in any US-based email account, they were, by and large, surprised. Many discussions took place on how to help protect themselves and their customers by moving their email communications offshore, just like other services." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThe Digital Trap in your Offshore Plan

Why Are Cops Acting Like Soldiers?

"In 1981, President Reagan signed the Military Cooperation with Law Enforcement Act, a law that granted the Pentagon permission to assist domestic police departments engaged in enforcing the nation’s drug laws. Similar legislation accompanied efforts to combat terrorism even before 9/11. A 1997 federal law known as Program 1033 made it easier for state and local law enforcement agencies to obtain surplus military hardware—including body armor, armored vehicles, and surveillance equipment—for use in counterdrug and counterterrorism activities. In 2011, the program transferred $500 million worth of equipment to state and local law enforcement agencies." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWhy Are Cops Acting Like Soldiers?

Pentagon Unilaterally Grants Itself Authority Over ‘Civil Disturbances’

"The lines blurred even further Monday as a new dynamic was introduced to the militarization of domestic law enforcement. By making a few subtle changes to a regulation in the U.S. Code titled 'Defense Support of Civilian Law Enforcement Agencies' the military has quietly granted itself the ability to police the streets without obtaining prior local or state consent, upending a precedent that has been in place for more than two centuries. The most objectionable aspect of the regulatory change is the inclusion of vague language that permits military intervention in the event of 'civil disturbances.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPentagon Unilaterally Grants Itself Authority Over ‘Civil Disturbances’

Cops Break Down Door Without Warrant, Taze Cameraman In Front Of Wife And Kids

"Police are called out to an apartment for a noise compliant by the neighbors. The three occupants inside non-aggressively exercise their fourth amendment right, refusing the police entry as they demand at gun point to let them inside without a search warrant or probable cause. As the police quickly holster their weapons after the camera turns on, the three occupants continue to exercise their rights non-aggressively. The police respond by going into 'over-the-top' aggressive mode, utilizing excessive force by kicking in the door, assaulting the female and tazing the cameraman four times causing the camera to short out. All three occupants are arrested/cited for obstruction." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCops Break Down Door Without Warrant, Taze Cameraman In Front Of Wife And Kids

Video Now Missing From Confiscated Phone In Beating And Murder Of David Silva By Police

"Responding to what he called a case that 'has consumed the media and our community,' Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood said Tuesday he has asked the FBI to conduct a 'parallel' investigation into the death of Bakersfield father of four David Sal Silva, who died May 8 after he was beaten by deputies. Youngblood’s call to the FBI — he termed it 'unprecedented' — was made after it was discovered that video evidence expected to be found on one of two cell phones confiscated last week from witnesses was not present on the phone." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingVideo Now Missing From Confiscated Phone In Beating And Murder Of David Silva By Police

Shootings by Philly police soar as violent crime plummets

"The number of violent crimes fell last year in Philadelphia, as did assaults on police officers. But the number of people shot by police is up. Way up. The number of shootings by police in 2012 resulting in death or injury climbed to the highest level it’s been in 10 years. Philadelphia police shot 52 suspects last year while responding to calls for reported crimes. Of those shot, 15 people died. And the city's own police watchdog says the department hasn't provided a reason for the increase. The Police Advisory Commission has been repeatedly blocked in its efforts to review shootings." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingShootings by Philly police soar as violent crime plummets

How to stop the FBI from reading your email

"One option is to encrypt messages before sending them, which can make them indecipherable as they are transmitted across servers. Such messages can only be read after the recipient unlocks the message with an encryption key. Given that authorities can only access emails that have been stored on a server for more than six months, privacy experts say another option is to delete older emails or store them directly on a hard drive (which is protected by the Fourth Amendment). One final option is an 'offshore email account.' Servers operated in other countries would not be subjected to the same rules as those based in the U.S." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHow to stop the FBI from reading your email