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EFFector Vol. 36, No. 15 Tuesday, December 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 817th issue:

* Top Ten EFF Digital Security Resources for People Concerned About the Incoming Trump Administration
EFF has decades of experience in providing digital privacy and security
resources, particularly for vulnerable people. We’ve written a lot of
resources over the years; here are the top ten that we think are most useful
right now.

Read more: [link removed]

* Location Tracking Tools Endanger Abortion Access. Lawmakers Must Act Now.
EFF has warned before about how the location data market threatens
reproductive rights. But it doesn’t have to be this way. There are a number
of laws that Congress and state legislators could pass right now that would
help protect us from location tracking tools.

Read more: [link removed]

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EFF Updates

* This Bill Could Put A Stop To Censorship By Lawsuit
The Free Speech Protection Act is a long overdue tool to protect against the
use of SLAPP lawsuits as legal weapons that benefit the wealthy and powerful.
This bill will help everyday Americans of all political stripes who speak out
on local and national issues. 

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* EFF Tells the Second Circuit a Second Time That Electronic Device Searches at the Border Require a Warrant
EFF, along with ACLU and the New York Civil Liberties Union, filed a second
amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit urging the
court to require a warrant for border searches of electronic devices, an
argument EFF has been making in the courts and Congress for nearly a decade.

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* FTC Rightfully Acts Against So-Called “AI Weapon Detection” Company Evolv
The Federal Trade Commission has entered a settlement with self-styled
“weapon detection” company Evolv, to resolve the FTC’s claim that the
company “knowingly” and repeatedly” engaged in “unlawful” acts of
misleading claims about their technology. Essentially, Evolv’s technology,
which is in schools, subways, and stadiums, does far less than they’ve been
claiming. 

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* Why Is Printer Ink So Expensive?
The answer is actually pretty simple: monopolies, weird laws, and companies
exploiting their users for profit. If this sounds mildly infuriating and
makes you want to learn ways to fight back, then head over to our new site,
Digital Rights Bytes! We’ve even created a short video to explain what the
heck is going on here.

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* One Down, Many to Go with Pre-Installed Malware on Android
Last year, we investigated a Dragon Touch children’s tablet and confirmed
that it was linked to a string of fully compromised Android TV Boxes that
also had multiple reports of malware, adware, and a sketchy firmware update
channel. Since then, Google has taken the (now former) tablet distributor off
of their list of Play Protect certified phones and tablets. The burden of
catching this type of threat should not be placed on the consumer.

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* Introducing EFF’s New Video Series: Gate Crashing
There is a lot about the internet that needs fixing, but the one thing we
should preserve and nurture is the nontraditional paths to success it
creates. In this series of interviews, called “Gate Crashing,” we look to
highlight those people and learn from their examples.

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

[link removed]

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Announcements

* EFF at ShmooCon 2025
EFF is excited to be back in Washington, D.C. for the final ShmooCon! Stop
by the EFF booth to chat with some of our team and learn about the latest
developments in defending digital freedom for all.

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* EFFecting Change: Digital Rights & the Administration
What direction will your digital rights take under Trump and the 119th
Congress? Find out about the topics EFF is watching and the effect they might
have. Join our panel of experts as they discuss surveillance, age
verification, and consumer privacy. Learn how you can advocate for your
digital rights and the resources available to you.

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* EFF at CactusCon 13
EFF is excited to be back in Mesa, AZ for CactusCon! If you're attending
CactusCon 13, be sure to stop by the EFF booth to chat. We're excited to say
hi and chat about our work with new and returning faces! 

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* Shoutout to an Organizational Member!
Thank you to DuckDuckGo for another year of support of EFF’s fight for
digital privacy.

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Job Openings

* Legal Interns
Applications are now open through February 15 for the Summer 2025 Intern
Class! EFF’s legal internships provide law students with a unique
opportunity to develop valuable skills and real-world experience while
working with a nationally-recognized public interest law firm. Legal interns
learn from and assist EFF’s staff attorneys in all aspects of litigation,
including legal research, factual investigation, and drafting of memoranda
and briefs, while also helping with policy research, client counseling, and
the development of public education materials (e.g., blog posts). EFF’s
docket ranges across the technological and legal landscape, from online fair
use of copyrighted materials to illegal government spying.

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MiniLinks

- Opinion: Students’ tech skills should be nurtured, not punished (Deseret News)
"As security researchers and computer tinkerers in youth, it pains us to
witness that many schools still harshly punish students for displaying useful
skills," wrote EFF's William Budington and Alexis Hancock. "Pursuing a
punitive route rather than one that redirects students’ skills to positive
ends does nothing to actually fix the flaws that they’ve identified, and
exposes the more concerning flaw of schools that have no place for
independent, curious young minds."

[link removed]

- How to switch to encrypted messaging after FBI warnings (Washington Post)
Looking into using end-to-end encrypted messaging apps? EFF's Thorin
Klosowski offered some guidance.

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- UC Santa Barbara police seek access to a vast trove of student data related to Gaza protests (San Francisco Chronicle)
EFF's Mario Trujillo discussed an effort by campus police at UC Santa Barbara
to gain access to data related to student activists groups on Instagram,
saying their warrant does many things "wrong."

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- TikTok Files for Injunction to Stop Ban: What to Know (CNET)
EFF's David Greene expressed our disappointment with an appeals court ruling
that upheld the US TikTok ban, saying, "Restricting the free flow of
information, even from foreign adversaries, is fundamentally undemocratic."

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- Snapshots from borderlands on eve of second Trump era (Courthouse News)
EFF's Dave Maass commented on Torre Centinela, a 20-story tower being built
in Ciudad Juarez that will funnel enormous amounts of surveillance data to
law enforcement officials on both sides of the US-Mexico border. “This type
of surveillance doesn't deliver as promised [and] is pretty faulty and pretty
wasteful,” said Maass. “The whole platform is leaning into spending gobs
of money because it's glittery.”

[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:
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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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