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EFFector Vol. 36, No. 4 Tuesday, March 19, 2024 [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 806th issue:

* Thousands of Young People Told Us Why the Kids Online Safety Act Will Be Harmful to Minors
More than 5,000 young people answered our call to explain why the Kids Online
Safety Act (KOSA) threatens their online freedom. These responses make clear
that many, many young people also experience help, education, friendship, and
a sense of belonging there — precisely because social media allows them to
explore, something KOSA is likely to hinder. These kids are deeply engaged in
the world around them through these platforms, and genuinely concerned that a
law like KOSA could take that away from them and from other young people.
Also, to ensure that everyone understands why EFF continues to oppose KOSA,
we broke down our interpretation of the bill in more detail [1] and compared
our views to those of others—both advocates and critics.


[1]
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Read more: [link removed]

* Congress Should Give Up on Unconstitutional TikTok Bans
Help us convince your Senator that instead of passing this overreaching and
misguided bill that violates our First Amendment rights, Congress should
prevent any company — regardless of where it’s based — from collecting
massive amounts of our detailed personal data and sharing it with data
brokers, U.S. government agencies, and even foreign adversaries, China
included. Also, read up on 5 Questions to Ask Before Backing the TikTok Ban
[1], Why U.S. House Members Opposed the TikTok Ban Bill [2], and some Capitol
Hill hypocrisy in Lawmakers: Ban TikTok to Stop Election Misinformation! Same
Lawmakers: Restrict How Government Addresses Election Misinformation! [3]


[1]
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[2]
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[3]
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EFF Updates

* How to Fix the Internet podcast: ‘I Squared’ Governance with U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-OR
EFF’s award-winning podcast continues! Senator Ron Wyden — a driving
force for free speech online and against warrantless surveillance of
Americans — joins EFF’s Cindy Cohn and Jason Kelley to discuss a future
in which the internet is first and foremost about empowering people, not big
corporations and government.

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* Victory! EFF Helps Resist Unlawful Warrant and Gag Order Issued to Independent News Outlet
You’d think that after San Francisco had to pay a $369,000 settlement in
2020 to a journalist whose home cops raided, the SFPD would’ve gotten a
little more careful about throwing search warrants at journalists—but
you’d be wrong. EFF recently provided pro bono assistance to help the San
Francisco Bay Area Independent Media Center, commonly known as Indybay, fight
off an unlawful SFPD search warrant and gag order.

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* Congress Must Stop Pushing Bills That Will Benefit Patent Trolls
The U.S. Senate is considering two bills that would enrich patent trolls,
patent system insiders, and a few large companies that rely on flimsy
patents, at the expense of everyone else. One would bring back some of the
worst software patents we’ve seen, and even re-introduce types of patents
on human genes that were banned years ago; another would shut out most of the
public from even petitioning the government to reconsider wrongly granted
patents. Please help us shut these bad bills down!

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* Four Reasons to Protect the Internet this International Women’s Day
For International Women’s Day (March 8), we reviewed why it’s vital to
keep up the fight for online rights: the ongoing battle for reproductive
privacy and information access; governments keep cutting internet access to
quell political dissent; people need to know when they’re being stalked
through Big Tech; and LGBTQ+ rights remain under attack. Also, check out Four
Infosec Tools for Resistance this International Women’s Day [1], Four
Actions You Can Take To Protect Digital Rights this International Women’s
Day [2], and Four Voices You Should Hear this International Women’s Day
[3].


[1]
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[2]
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[3]
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* The Foilies 2024
Welcome to the 10th annual Foilies, the “awards” given by EFF and
MuckRock — and published in alt-weekies across the nation — for the most
egregious violations of open-records laws. From book bans to marijuana
redactions to poop in mailboxes, the Foilies have it all: the very worst in
government transparency.

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* Audio Version of EFFector Newsletter
Here’s an audio version of EFFector. We hope you enjoy it!

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Announcements

* EFF’s 8th Annual Tech Trivia Night
Join us for EFF's 8th annual Tech Trivia Night — the ULTIMATE technology
quiz! — from 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, May 9 at Public Works, 161 Erie Street,
San Francisco. Explore the obscure minutiae of digital security, online
rights, and internet culture while competing for the coveted 1st, 2nd, and
3rd place trophies and EFF swag! It’s a great opportunity to connect with
peers in the tech community, and to celebrate the movement for civil
liberties and human rights online. It’s $55 per person but only $45 for
Current EFF members, and with dinner and drinks included, this is sure to be
a great night! Teams may have 3 to 8 people, so bring your friends (or make a
few new ones)! Don't have a team? No problem, we'll help form cool and
competitive teams!

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Job Openings

* No Available Positions At This Time
Bookmark our opportunities page [1] for future options!


[1] [link removed]
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MiniLinks

- How a TikTok Ban in the U.S. Could Violate 1st Amendment Rights (PBS Newshour)
As we await Senate action on the bill, EFF’s David Greene explains why
it’s unconstitutional.

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- Rihanna, FIFA, Guinness, Marvel, Nike - All Could Be Banned in Ghana (AllAfrica)
The Ghanaian Parliament has passed the so-called "Family Values" bill, an
ill-informed and malicious bill which criminalizes LGBTQ+ identity, allyship,
and discussion of almost any kind—meaning it will ban an amazing array of
online speech, art, and even sport. EFF’s Daly Barnett, Paige Collings, and
Dave Maass explain why certain brands and celebrities might become /personae
non gratae/ in Ghana under this bigoted bill.

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- SXSW Sent Cease-and-Desist Letter to Organization Leading Army Sponsorship Protest (Austin Chronicle)
The South by Southwest conference and festival says it champions creativity,
but when the Austin for Palestine Coalition parodied its marketing materials
for political protest, SXSW was quick to threaten the group with trademark
and copyright claims. EFF’s Cara Gagliano came to the rescue.

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- Searches for VPNs spike in Texas after Pornhub pulls out of the state (CNN)
We’ve been saying for a long time that age verification laws violate
people’s rights and have unintended consequences. EFF”s Hudson Hongo
confirms that Texans are the first ones to flock to VPNs to get around such
laws.

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-------- SUPPORTED BY DONORS
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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:
[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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