statism

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 →

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

Trump administration is looking at 50- and 100-year bonds

"The Treasury disclosed that it is studying the possibility of ultra-long bonds, with maturities greater than 30 years, currently the bond with the longest maturity. It also said it is preparing for the time when the Fed begins to reduce its giant $4.5 trillion balance sheet — by buying fewer Treasurys and mortgage securities, and perhaps ultimately even unloading the ones it holds." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingTrump administration is looking at 50- and 100-year bonds

Japan secretly funneled hundreds of millions to the NSA, breaking its own laws

"The Intercept publishes a previously-unseen set of Snowden docs detailing more than $500,000,000 worth of secret payments by the Japanese government to the NSA, in exchange for access to the NSA's specialized surveillance capabilities, in likely contravention of Japanese privacy law (the secrecy of the program means that the legality was never debated, so no one is sure whether it broke the law)." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingJapan secretly funneled hundreds of millions to the NSA, breaking its own laws

That Other Threat: Electronics Thefts From Checked Luggage

"In 2014, the Transportation Safety Administration said more than 500 baggage screeners had been fired since it was established in 2001, according to the Wall Street Journal. A CNN analysis found more than 30,000 property loss claims were filed by passengers with the TSA between 2010–14, most claiming valuables were taken from checked baggage. Under an international treaty known as the Montreal Convention (to which the US is a signatory), an airline’s liability for loss or damage to a passenger’s luggage is limited to the equivalent of about $1,360." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThat Other Threat: Electronics Thefts From Checked Luggage

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 →

Continue ReadingAmerican Authorities Considering Personal Electronics Ban for UK Flights

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 →

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