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EFFector Vol. 35, No. 5 Monday, April 17, 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 791st issue:
* Decoding the U.N. Cybercrime Treaty
Negotiations for a proposed U.N. Cybercrime Treaty commenced in 2017 but
began to take shape in 2022—and there’s a lot at stake. The draft treaty
has the potential to rewrite criminal laws around the world, possibly adding
over 30 criminal offenses and new expansive police powers for both domestic
and international criminal investigations. These widened parameters have
grave implications for billions of people—particularly the potential for
stifling free speech, increasing government surveillance, and expanding state
investigative techniques.
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]
* Stop the RESTRICT Act and Pass Real Privacy Legislation
Under the guise of curbing data collection by foreign governments, the
RESTRICT Act (Senate Bill 686) would set the stage for a restriction on the
use of TikTok, but not do nearly enough to truly protect our private
information. There are legitimate data privacy concerns about social media
platforms, but the RESTRICT Act is a distraction. Congress instead should
pass comprehensive data privacy legislation.
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* AI Art Generators and the Online Image Market
Now that computer-generated imaging is accessible to anyone with a weird idea
and an internet connection, the creation of “AI art” is raising
questions—and lawsuits. The problem going forward is keeping the good
things—open-source technology that researchers can audit, cutting down on
the tedious parts of making things—without letting the concerns give power
to the same companies that disempower artists every day.
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* Enough is Enough. Tell Congress to Ban Federal Use of Face Recognition
Police and government use of face recognition technology cannot be
effectively regulated. Face surveillance in the hands of the government is a
fundamentally harmful technology, even under strict regulations and if the
technology was 100% accurate. Contact your elected federal officials and tell
them to support the Facial Recognition and Biometric Technology Moratorium
Act.
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* Smart Locks Endanger Tenants’ Privacy and Should Be Regulated
The growing deployment of smart locks in apartments has created a new stream
of sensitive location data for law enforcement, landlords, and private
companies. Tenants should not be forced to submit to tracking just to enter
their home. At minimum, we need privacy laws that require consent to collect
this data, a warrant for police access, and strong data minimization.
[link removed]
* Podcast Episode: Losing Until We Win: Realistic Revolution in Science Fiction
Science-fiction author and science journalist Annalee Newitz speaks with
EFF’s Cindy Cohn and Jason Kelley about depicting true progress as a
long-haul endeavour, understanding that failure is part of the process, and
creating good law as a form of world-building and improving our future.
[link removed]
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Announcements
* EFF at BSides San Francisco
We're happy to be back at BSides San Francisco from April 22 to April 23! If
you're attending the event, be sure to stop by our booth and say hi. You can
even pick up a special gift when you take advantage of our membership
specials or donate!
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* EFF's 7th Annual Tech Trivia Night
Join us in San Francisco on Thursday, April 27th for EFF's 7th annual Tech
Trivia Night! Explore the obscure minutiae of digital security, online
rights, and internet culture. Enjoy delicious tacos, churros, and drinks as
you and your team battle through rounds of questions—and cutthroat live
judging!—to see who will take home the coveted trophies and EFF swag!
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* 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
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MiniLinks
- Digital Privacy Legislation is Civil Rights Legislation (Just Security)
As Congress ponders legislation to reform “big tech,” it must view
comprehensive digital privacy legislation as desperately needed civil rights
legislation, because data abuses often disproportionately harm communities
already bearing the brunt of other inequalities. EFF’s Paige Collings and
Adam Schwartz make the case.
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- The Government Is Turning Border Surveillance on Everyday Americans (Reason)
In viewing the towers on the map, you can really get a sense of how these
tools of surveillance are installed in residential communities along the
US-Mexico border, be it urban or rural, and not just in the remote expanses
of the Southwest. EFF’s Dave Maass discusses our new border surveillance
technology map.
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- Why Age-Verification Bills For Porn Sites Won't Work (Mashable)
Louisiana's age verification law is essentially creating an immediate
requirement for people to share their private information alongside their
pornography preference with companies that don't necessarily have a system in
place to protect that data. EFF’s Jason Kelley breaks it down.
[link removed]
- Clearview Ai Used Nearly 1m Times By US Police, It Tells The BBC (BBC News)
Clearview is a private company that is making face prints of people based on
their photos online without their consent. It's a huge problem for civil
liberties and civil rights, and it absolutely needs to be banned. EFF’s
Matthew Guariglia argues against this "perpetual police line-up.”
[link removed]
- TikTok Controversy (Voice of America)
Governments can ban TikTok. But they will not be denying the Chinese
government access to user data unless you are restricting the data flows to
data brokers who sell it to foreign governments. EFF’s David Greene
outlines the civil liberties issues at stake.
[link removed]
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expertise into crucial battles about online rights. Whether defending free
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participation makes a difference. Every donation gives technology users who
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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.
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* Administrivia
Editor:
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EFFector is published by:
The Electronic Frontier Foundation
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General EFF, legal, policy, or online resources queries:
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Reproduction of this publication in electronic media is
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