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EFFector Vol. 35, No. 10 Thursday, August 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 796th issue:
* Deja Vu: The FBI Proves Again It Can’t be Trusted with Section 702
At this point, it’s crystal clear that the FBI doesn’t believe that
either our rights or the limitations that Congress has placed upon the bureau
matter when it comes to the vast amount of private communications data about
us collected under FISA Section 702. Matthew Guariglia makes the case for
either letting the flawed law expire this year, or radically rewriting it to
protect Americans’ rights once and for all.
Read more: [link removed]
* The Impending Privacy Threat of Self-Driving Cars
Self-driving cars are becoming a more common sight in some U.S. cities, and
each of those cars is sucking in vast quantities of visual and other
information—creating a possibility for peoples’ movements to be tracked,
aggregated, and retained by companies, law enforcement, or bad actors.
Matthew Guariglia explains how the sheer mass of this data poses a potential
threat to civil liberties and privacy for pedestrians, commuters, and any
other people that rely on public roads and walkways in cities.
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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* Electronic Frontier Foundation to Present Annual EFF Awards to Alexandra Asanovna Elbakyan, Library Freedom Project, and Signal Foundation
EFF is honored to announce that Alexandra Asanovna Elbakyan, Library Freedom
Project, and Signal Foundation will receive the 2023 EFF Awards for their
vital work in helping to ensure that technology supports freedom, justice,
and innovation for all people. The EFF Awards recognize specific and
substantial technical, social, economic, or cultural contributions in diverse
fields including journalism, art, digital access, legislation, tech
development, and law. See the announcements section below for information on
our awards ceremony Sept. 14 in San Francisco!
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* The U.S. Government Wants To Control Online Speech to “Protect Kids”
KOSA is fundamentally a censorship bill. Politicians are justifying it by
harping on something we all know—that there’s content online that’s
inappropriate for kids. But instead of letting tricky questions about what
online content is appropriate at what age be decided by parents and families,
politicians are stepping in to override us.
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* Forensic Genetic Genealogy Searches: What Defense Attorneys Need to Know
Read EFF General Counsel Jennifer Lynch’s white paper on forensic genetic
genealogy, the police practice of accessing consumer-facing genetic genealogy
websites to try to identify the source of crime scene DNA samples.
[link removed]
* Government Needs Both the Ability to Talk to Social Media Platforms and Clear Limits, EFF Argues in Brief to Appellate Court
Weighing in on one of the year’s most thought-provoking legal cases, EFF
argues that government input into social media platforms’ decisions about
user content raises serious First Amendment concerns and the government must
be held accountable for violations, but not all such communications are
improper. EFF’s amicus brief was filed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the
Fifth Circuit in Missouri v. Biden, a lawsuit brought by Louisiana, Missouri,
and several individuals alleging that federal government agencies and
officials illegally pushed social media platforms to censor content about
COVID safety measures and vaccines, elections, and Hunter Biden’s laptop,
among other issues.
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Announcements
* EFF Awards Ceremony
We hope you can join us for the EFF Awards ceremony at 6:30 pm PT on
Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023 at the Regency Lodge, 1290 Sutter St. in San
Francisco, hosted by renowned science fiction author, activist, journalist,
and EFF Special Advisor Cory Doctorow. (The ceremony will be recorded and
video will be made available at a later date.)
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* Tor University Challenge
EFF has launched the Tor University Challenge, a campaign urging higher
education institutions to support free, anonymous speech by running a Tor
network relay. Universities answering this call to defend private access to
an uncensored web will receive prizes while helping millions of people around
the world and providing students and faculty a vital learning experience.
Tell your alma mater to join the network today!
[link removed]
* New Watchers T-shirt!
We are excited to launch our new member t-shirt for 2023! Donate at the
Copper Level or above to receive our new Watchers t-shirt.
[link removed]
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Job Openings
* Working at EFF
No available positions at this time, but bookmark our opportunities page for
future options!
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MiniLinks
- Cindy Cohn of the Electronic Frontier Foundation on Big Brother (Gaslit Nation podcast)
EFF’s Cindy Cohn joins Gaslit Nation hosts Andrea Chalupa and Sarah
Kendzior for an in-depth chat about corporate surveillance and other prying
tech eyes that are trying to harvest as much data as possible about you.
[link removed]
- U.S. tech companies say U.K. privacy bill poses ‘serious threat’ to communication (Washington Post)
EFF’s Andrew Crocker explains how the Online Safety Bill now nearing
approval in Parliament poses a dire threat to encryption that will
reverberate around the world.
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- Opinion: Congress should repeal Section 702, a key tool for unconstitutional mass surveillance (Orange County Register)
A federal law that has enabled massive, secret and unconstitutional
surveillance of the private communications of innocent Americans expires at
the end of 2023, and Congress should allow it to die, according to this
excellent Southern California News Group editorial.
[link removed]
- Is decentralization the future of social media? (Engadget)
For enthusiasts, the rise of decentralized platforms represents an
opportunity for a more open web—a chance to tear down some of the walled
gardens that have become the norm on mainstream social media platforms.
EFF’s Ross Schulman weighs in.
[link removed]
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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:
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EFFector is published by:
The Electronic Frontier Foundation
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Reproduction of this publication in electronic media is
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