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EFFector Vol. 35, No. 4 Friday, March 24, 2023
[email protected]
A Publication of the Electronic Frontier Foundation
ISSN 1062-9424
effector: n, Computer Sci. A device for producing a
desired change.
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In our 790th issue:
* Why We’re Suing to Protect the Right of Incarcerated People to Receive Physical Mail
In 2021, San Mateo County, Calif., banned people incarcerated in its jails
from receiving physical mail. EFF, the Knight First Amendment Institute at
Columbia University, and the Social Justice Legal Foundation filed a lawsuit
challenging this unconstitutional policy.
Read more: [link removed]
* Sign The Petition And Tell EU Legislators: Don’t Scan Us
The European Parliament is debating a proposal that, if it passes, could be
disastrous for privacy worldwide. Every message, photo, or hosted file could
be scanned, with the results sent to government agencies. It’s time for
everyone to tell legislators: Stop Scanning Me.
Read more: [link removed]
* Fourth Circuit: Individuals Have a First Amendment Right to Livestream Their Own Traffic Stops
In a partial victory for police accountability, the U.S. Court of Appeals for
the Fourth Circuit held that the First Amendment protects a passenger who
livestreams the traffic stop of the car he is traveling in. EFF had filed an
amicus brief supporting the plaintiff in /Sharpe v. Winterville/ in 2021.
Read more: [link removed]
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EFF Updates
* Audio Version of EFFector Newsletter
We're piloting an audio version of EFFector's Newsletter. We hope you enjoy
it!
[link removed]
* What Policymakers Need to Know About the First Amendment and Section 230
The Supreme Court just heard two cases—/Twitter v. Taamneh/ and /Gonzalez
v. Google—/that could dramatically affect users’ speech rights online.
Last week, EFF hosted a Capitol Hill panel in Washington D.C. to discuss what
legislators need to know about these cases, the history of Section 230, and
the First Amendment’s protections for online speech.
[link removed]
* CBP Is Expanding Its Surveillance Tower Program at the U.S.-Mexico Border–And We're Mapping It
To provide researchers with the tools to analyze the impact of U.S. border
security policy, EFF has released a new map and dataset of more than 290
surveillance towers installed by Customs and Border Protection along the
border with Mexico.
[link removed]
* Civil Society Organizations Urge Ghana’s Parliament to Reject Repressive Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill
With Ghana's anti-LGBTQ+ bill set to undergo its second reading in the
Ghanaian Parliament, EFF and other civil society partners are calling on the
government of Ghana to immediately reject this draconian bill.
[link removed]
* How We Fought For and Won Access to Records About Predictive Policing in General Escobedo, Mexico
What started with a simple public records request became a journey into the
absurd depths of Mexican bureaucracy. But we emerged victorious, and learned
a lot about how a city experimented with a dangerous surveillance tool.
[link removed]
* EFF Tells Supreme Court: Trademark Law Doesn’t Trump the First Amendment
A trademark dispute between Jack Daniels and a maker of novelty dog toys may
not sound like an important First Amendment battleground, but a bad decision
in the latest trademark case to come before the U.S. Supreme Court could
eliminate an important protection for a wide range of political and artistic
expression.
[link removed]
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Announcements
* hack.summit()
EFF supporters are invited to join hack.summit(), a virtual event hosted
between March 31 and April 1, where you can learn about blockchain coding
concepts from speakers including Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin.
[link removed]
* EFF's 7th Annual Tech Trivia Night
Join us in San Francisco on April 27th for EFF's 7th annual Tech Trivia
Night! Explore the obscure minutiae of digital security, online rights, and
internet culture.
[link removed]
* EFF at Black Hat USA
EFF is once again excited to be back in Las Vegas for Black Hat USA! If you
are interested in submitting a talk to Black Hat, you can contact
[email protected] about any legal concerns regarding your talk or any sensitive
InfoSec research you are conducting.
[link removed]
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Job Openings
* Director, Technology Policy and Projects
EFF is looking for a full-time Director, Technology Policy & Projects to lead
part of the Public Interest Technology team’s work in privacy, competition,
government surveillance, and cybersecurity, along with the development of our
Privacy Badger software.
[link removed]
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MiniLinks
- Expect 'Fireworks and Posturing on Both Sides' at House TikTok hearing (Daily Kos)
There are legitimate data privacy concerns about all social media platforms,
including but not limited to TikTok. That’s why EFF supports comprehensive
consumer data privacy legislation.
[link removed]
- Texas Lawmakers Want to Erase Abortion From the Internet (Coda Story)
A Texas bill targeting websites, people and companies that share
abortion-related info online is systematically set up to silence people and
chill speech.
[link removed]
- Secret Service and ICE Did Not Always Adhere to Statute and Policies Governing Use of Cell-Site Simulators (REDACTED) (Department of Homeland Security)
Two Homeland Security agencies have been found conducting overly broad
surveillance again—this time, by using stingray devices to collect cell
phone data in violation of federal policies and laws.
[link removed]
- How to Secure Your Twitter Account for Free (Washington Post)
Twitter’s abrupt end to free two-factor authentication via SMS will leave
more users with less security.
[link removed]
- The UN's Cybercrime Treaty Could Be A Privacy Disaster (IT Pro)
The vague and broad provisions contained in the UN’s Cybercrime Treaty will
undoubtedly sweep up and criminalize legitimate expression, news reporting,
protest speeches, and more.
[link removed]
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-------- SUPPORTED BY DONORS
-------------------------------------------------
Our members make it possible for EFF to bring legal and technological
expertise into crucial battles about online rights. Whether defending free
speech online or challenging unconstitutional surveillance, your
participation makes a difference. Every donation gives technology users who
value freedom online a stronger voice and more formidable advocate. Check out
our FAQ for information on memberships, donations, shop orders, corporate
giving, matching gifts, and other ways to give.
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If you aren't already, please consider becoming an EFF member today.
[link removed]
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* Administrivia
Editor:
[email protected]
EFFector is published by:
The Electronic Frontier Foundation
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Membership & donation queries:
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General EFF, legal, policy, or online resources queries:
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Reproduction of this publication in electronic media is
encouraged. MiniLinks do not necessarily represent
the views of EFF.
Back issues of EFFector are available via the Web at:
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