technology

IRS Scandal: And They Shall Eat Their Own …

"These three scandals in particular represent the power of what we often call the Internet Reformation. While scandals have always beset Washington, the breathtaking rapidity with which these blossomed and expanded may be indicative of how modern communication undermines damage control and resists minimization. And, yes, I would tend to believe the third reason – the power of the Internet itself – is driving the rapidity and evolution of these scandals. It is not enough anymore to claim executive privilege while attempting to conceal abuses of political privilege." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIRS Scandal: And They Shall Eat Their Own …

‘Bitcoin threatens economic monopoly, bolsters free speech’

"Bitcoin threatens both the financial elite’s monopoly over the economy and the online web of payment systems which have been used as a tool to crack down on free speech on the Internet, Amir Taaki, a bitcoin software developer, told RT. The US government has never hidden the fact that it is closely watching the virtual currency, which international regulators have thus far failed to keep a lid on. But while banks and governments have treated the Bitcoin payment system as an 'existential threat' to current financial system, Taaki argues that the virtual currency epitomizes real free trade and is a necessary tool to maximize the benefits of a free and open market." Continue reading →

Continue Reading‘Bitcoin threatens economic monopoly, bolsters free speech’

Bitcoin Hardware Wallet: Alpha Software Demonstration

"This is a demonstration of the alpha version of my Bitcoin Hardware Wallet, code-named the Bitcoin Titan. All of the necessary features are implemented and working correctly. The software is undergoing final polish and testing. The first board spin is underway. Obviously, excuse the crude graphics and wonky font; those will be cleaned up during the polishing." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBitcoin Hardware Wallet: Alpha Software Demonstration

Bitcoin concept is gaining currency

"Bitcoin's growing popularity and a recent surge in value has caught the eye of entrepreneurs and venture capitalists, including some who are convinced that Bitcoin could be the biggest thing on the Internet since, well, the Internet itself changed our lives two decades ago. This weekend, about 1,000 representatives of the growing Bitcoin economy will gather to discuss how far the currency has come, and what needs to happen next to fulfill what they see as its revolutionary promise. So far, Bitcoin has been used to buy games and virtual products from Internet merchants. Online exchanges have also sprouted up to trade the currency." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBitcoin concept is gaining currency

Ex-BlackRock MD: US raid on Bitcoin exchange is ‘hysterical’ reaction

"Warwick Business School’s professor Jon Rushman, a former BlackRock managing director, says: 'It is a little bit of a hysterical reaction from the US authorities. There are concerns of Bitcoin being used in illegal ways, but unless there is more substantial evidence of this I don’t think there is any reason to shut down the main Bitcoin exchange. US dollars, Russian rubles and euros have all been used by criminals, but nobody is suggesting their central banks should be closed down and their governors imprisoned.' Rushman calls for more 'intelligent debate about Bitcoin and its future'." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingEx-BlackRock MD: US raid on Bitcoin exchange is ‘hysterical’ reaction

Palestinians can now order Kentucky Fried Chicken via tunnel to Egypt

"Junk-food starved Gazans can now order KFC to go thanks to a new smuggling service which brings takeout from Egypt via a network of underground tunnels. It’s not exactly 'fast' — taking several hours to arrive, with the Palestinian delivery company behind it charging hefty prices to cover the cost of fuel and transport. 'Last chance to order for the Thursday 6:00 pm delivery is Wednesday night,' says the Yamama delivery firm on its Facebook page. Yamama then orders the meals, about 30 on a typical run, from the KFC outlet in the Egyptian city of El-Arish, some 40 kilometres (25 miles) away. There are no international fast food chains in Gaza." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPalestinians can now order Kentucky Fried Chicken via tunnel to Egypt

LinkedIn’s anti-prostitution policy angers legal Nevada brothel owner

"The recent decision by professional networking site LinkedIn to bar sex workers from posting profiles has led to a disagreement between brothel owners in Nevada, where escorts can legally ply their trade, the Huffington Post reported on Wednesday. 'Are you then going to shut down Steve Wynn’s casino in Vegas, where gambling is legal?' asked Dennis Hof, owner of the Moonlight Bunny Ranch. 'Don’t paint me the same as the people who are doing things illegally.' LinkedIn, which informed users of the new policy on Monday, now forbids escorts from using the site to look for business." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingLinkedIn’s anti-prostitution policy angers legal Nevada brothel owner

New Zealand Supreme Court to hear Kim Dotcom extradition appeal

"The Court of Appeal in March had overturned a decision ordering US prosecutors to hand over the evidence to Dotcom’s legal team as they seek to extradite him to face online piracy charges. The appeal court ruled that a summary of the case would suffice. Dotcom’s lawyers have sought to reinstate the original decision, arguing they could not effectively fight the extradition battle without full disclosure of the evidence against their client. The US Justice Department and FBI want Dotcom to face charges of racketeering, fraud, money-laundering and copyright theft in a US court, which could see him jailed for up to 20 years if convicted." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNew Zealand Supreme Court to hear Kim Dotcom extradition appeal

11 Governments Are Meeting in Peru to Figure Out How They Can Control the Internet

"It appears that it’s going to be even easier for international copyright offenders to be tried in court by the interests–and lobbying power–of Hollywood. Starting today, 11 countries—Canada, America, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Vietnam, Singapore, Japan, Brunei, Malaysia, Australia, and New Zealand—are having a secret (no members of the public and no press) meeting in Lima, Peru to figure out what can be done about copyright offenders who transmit Hollywood’s precious content over the interweb’s tubes without paying for it. he meeting is held under the banner of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement." Continue reading →

Continue Reading11 Governments Are Meeting in Peru to Figure Out How They Can Control the Internet