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EFFector Vol. 35, No. 8 Friday, June 30, 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 794th issue:

* Around the World, Threats to LGBTQ+ Speech Deepen
Globally, an increase in anti-LGBTQ+ intolerance is impacting individuals and
communities both online and off. The digital rights community has observed an
uptick in censorship of LGBTQ+ websites as well as troubling attempts by
several countries to pass explicitly anti-LGBTQ+ bills restricting freedom of
expression and privacy. This Pride—and all year round—we urge you to join
us in taking a stand to support the freedom of LGBTQ+ individuals and
communities everywhere.

Read more: [link removed]

* Student Monitoring Tools Should Not Flag LGBTQ+ Keywords
One of the more dangerous features of student monitoring tools like
GoGuardian, Gaggle, and Bark is their “flagging” functionality. The tools
can scan web pages, documents in students’ cloud drives, emails, video
content, and more for keywords about topics like sex, drugs, and violence. We
call on all student monitoring tools to remove LGBTQ+ terms from their
blocking and flagging lists to ensure that young people’s privacy isn't
violated, and to ensure that sexual and gender identity is not penalized. 

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!

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* What Reddit Got Wrong
After weeks of burning through users’ goodwill, Reddit is facing a
moderator strike and an exodus of its most important users. It’s the latest
example of a social media site making a critical mistake: Users aren’t
there for the services, they’re there for the community. Building barriers
to access is a war of attrition.

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* A Year Since Dobbs, The Fight For Reproductive Privacy and Information Access Continues
A year ago, the Supreme Court's /Dobbs/ abortion ruling overturned /Roe v.
Wade/. This decision deprived millions of people of a fundamental right. In
the past year, EFF staff have worked with reproductive justice and civil
liberties organizations to protect and advocate for the digital rights of
people seeking or supporting reproductive care.

[link removed]

* Victory! New Jersey Court Rules Police Must Give Defendant the Facial Recognition Algorithms Used to Identify Him
In a victory for transparency in police use of facial recognition, a New
Jersey appellate court ruled that state prosecutors—who charged a man for
armed robbery after the technology showed he was a “possible match” for
the suspect—must turn over detailed information about the face scanning
software used, including how it works, its source code, and its error rate.

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* Tell Congress: KOSA Will Censor the Internet But Won't Help Kids
The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) would censor the internet and make
government officials the arbiters of what young people can see online. It
will likely lead to age verification, handing more power—and private
data—to third-party identity verification companies like Clear or ID.me.
Tell your Senator and representative to vote NO on this bill.

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* Podcast Episode: Who Inserted the Creepy?
Bestselling author Dave Eggers—whose newest novel, “The Eyes and the
Impossible,” was published in May—speaks with EFF’s Cindy Cohn and
Jason Kelley about why he hates Zoom so much, how and why we get sucked into
digital worlds despite our own best interests, and painting the darkest
version of our future so that we can steer away from it.  

[link removed]

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Announcements

* New Stay Golden Hooded Sweatshirt!
Snag our new, heavier-weight hoodie with raglan sleeves and gunmetal zipper
from our shop or when you donate at the Titanium level or above. 

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* EFF at Black Hat USA
EFF is once again excited to be back in Las Vegas for Black Hat USA August
5-10! If you are interested in submitting a talk to Black Hat, you can
contact [email protected] [1] about any legal concerns regarding your talk or any
sensitive InfoSec research you are conducting.


[1] mailto:[email protected]
[link removed]

* Betting on Your Digital Rights: EFF Benefit Poker Tournament at DEF CON 31
The EFF Benefit Poker Tournament is back for DEF CON 31! Your buy-in is
paired with a donation to support EFF’s mission to protect online privacy
and free expression for all. Seating is limited, so reserve your spot today.
The first fifty people to sign up and attend the event will receive a limited
bronze challenge coin celebrating the event!

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Job Openings

* No Available Positions at This Time, But Bookmark Our Opportunities Page for Future Options
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MiniLinks

- Virginia To Become Latest State To Require Age Verification For Online Porn (My VPM)
EFF’s Jason Kelley discusses how centralized databases are vulnerable to
hacking and potential tracking, and unscrupulous websites could set up their
own “age verification” prompts that are really a ruse to gather users’
personal information.

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- As Us Cities Seek More Data In Public, Can They Win Trust In Tech? (Context)
Giving people information about where sensors are in their communities is a
long way from participatory governance about whether sensors should be there
in the first place, EFF’s Karen Gullo warns.

[link removed]

- Big Retailers Are Picking Your Brain And Selling What You Tell Them (The Messenger)
High-speed broadband access should be considered an “essential resource”
like clean water or affordable electricity. EFF’s Ernesto Falcon says
federal funding is poised to make a significant impact on what he describes
as “digital redlining.”

[link removed]

- Illinois Expands Use Of Police Surveillance Drones (Capitol News Illinois)
Communities should be involved in determining appropriate use of police
technologies. EFF’s Beryl Lipton calls for a municipal, local conversation
about surveillance.

[link removed]

- The Reddit Blackout Is Breaking Reddit (Wired)
Like with Twitter, it's not a big collapse when a social media website starts
to die, but it is a slow attrition unless they change their course. EFF’s
Rory Mir makes the case.

[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.


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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
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