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EFFector Vol. 36, No. 5 Wednesday, April 17, 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 807th issue:

* EFF Submits Comments on FRT to Commission on Civil Rights
Our faces are often exposed and, unlike passwords or pin numbers, cannot be
remade. Governments and businesses, often working in partnership, are
increasingly using our faces to track our whereabouts, activities, and
associations. This is why EFF recently submitted comments to the U.S.
Commission on Civil Rights, which is preparing a report on face recognition
technology. Also, see how Electronic Frontier Alliance member Surveillance
Technology Oversight Project (S.T.O.P.) is leading the fight to "Ban the
Scan" [1] in New York.


[1] [link removed]
Read more: [link removed]

* How to Fix the Internet Podcast: About Face (Recognition) with Kashmir Hill
New York Times reporter Kashmir Hill, whose book about Clearview AI’s rise
and practices was published last fall, speaks with EFF’s Cindy Cohn and
Jason Kelley about how face recognition technology’s rapid evolution may
have outpaced ethics and regulations, and where we might go from here.

Read more: [link removed]

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EFF Updates

* Tell the U.S. Senate: STOP RISAA, the FISA Mass Surveillance Expansion
The House of Representatives has passed the Reforming Intelligence and
Securing America Act (RISAA), a FISA reauthorization bill that greatly
increases the scope of information the government can collect under Section
702, and lets the government use this unaccountable and out-of-control mass
surveillance authority to spy on hopeful immigrants and asylum seekers. Help
us tell the Senate to kill this awful bill!

[link removed]

* The Tech Apocalypse Panic is Driven by AI Boosters, Military Tacticians, and Movies
There’s an easy way to make sure that WOPR, Skynet, or Ultron can’t
trigger the apocalypse: Don’t. Give. Them. The. Nukes.

[link removed]

* Inter-American Court Finds Colombia Agencies Violated Human Rights of Lawyers Defending Activists
In a landmark ruling for fundamental freedoms in Colombia, the Inter-American
Court of Human Rights found that for over two decades the state government
harassed, surveilled, and persecuted members of a lawyer’s group that
defends human rights defenders, activists, and indigenous people, putting the
attorneys’ lives at risk. EFF had filed an amicus brief in the case.

[link removed]

* Americans Deserve More Than the Current American Privacy Rights Act
EFF is concerned that a new federal bill would freeze consumer data privacy
protections in place, by preempting existing state laws and preventing states
from creating stronger protections in the future. Federal law should be the
floor on which states can build, not a ceiling.

[link removed]

* Tell the FCC It Must Clarify Its Rules to Prevent Loopholes That Will Swallow Net Neutrality Whole
The Federal Communications Commission has released draft rules to reinstate
net neutrality, with a vote on adopting the rules to come April 25. But the
FCC needs to close some loopholes in the draft rules before then - and you
can help us clean this up!

[link removed]

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

[link removed]

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Announcements

* What does EFF mean to you?
EFF is the leading nonprofit organization defending civil liberties in the
digital world, championing user privacy, free expression, and innovation
through impact litigation, policy analysis, grassroots activism, and
technology development. Our mission is to ensure that technology supports
freedom, justice, and innovation for all people of the world. But what does
that mean to you? We’d love to know what you think of EFF: Why do you
support us, how do you see our mission, what’s the issue you’re most glad
that we’re addressing? Drop us a line at [email protected] [1] and let
us know!


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

* 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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* EFF at HOPE XV
EFF is excited to be at HOPE XV, July 12-14 at St. John’s University in New
York City! Register now [1] for in-person or virtual attendance to show your
support for EFF: Until April 30, HOPE is donating 10 percent of all ticket
sales to EFF!


[1] [link removed]
[link removed]

* EFF at Black Hat USA
Will we see you at Black Hat USA, August 3-8 in Las Vegas? If you're an EFF
supporter interested in attending, be sure to use code "EFF2024" to get $200
off your ticket when registering online [1].


[1] [link removed]
[link removed]

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Job Openings

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


[1] [link removed]
[link removed]

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MiniLinks

- Elon Musk May Have a Point in His Fight Against Brazil, but He's Not Actually Helping (Business Insider)
Elon Musk is wading into a war with Brazil over orders from the country's
supreme court to ban certain X accounts that helped spread election
misinformation. While the country deals with a debate about balancing free
speech with significant threats to its democracy, Musk's outsize voice —
which is emboldening an antidemocratic wing of the far-right — isn't
helping, EFF’s Veridiana Alimonti said.

[link removed]

- Jeffrey Epstein’s Island Visitors Exposed by Data Broker (WIRED)
Nearly 200 mobile devices of people who visited Jeffrey Epstein’s notorious
“pedophile island” in the years prior to his death left an invisible
trail of data pointing back to their own homes and offices.

[link removed]

- The Other Players Who Helped (Almost) Make the World’s Biggest Backdoor Hack (The Intercept)
A shadowy figure spent years ingratiating themself to a developer, then
injected a backdoor that could have taken over millions of computers.

[link removed]

- Milwaukee Police Seek ‘Open Source Intelligence Tool’ for RNC (Wisconsin Examiner)
“Technology like this is really just a high-tech way of gathering
intelligence on people exercising their First Amendment rights under the
pretext of public safety: it snoops on everyone, regardless of any connection
to a crime,” EFF’s Dave Maass said.

[link removed]

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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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Reproduction of this publication in electronic media is
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