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EFFector Vol. 37, No. 2 Thursday, February 20, 2025
[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 819th issue:
* Cornered by the UK’s Demand for an Encryption Backdoor, Apple Turns Off Its Strongest Security Setting
In response to the U.K.’s demands for a backdoor, Apple has stopped
offering users in the U.K. Advanced Data Protection, an optional feature in
iCloud that turns on end-to-end encryption for files, backups, and more. As
we’ve said time and time again, any backdoor built for the government puts
everyone at greater risk of hacking, identity theft, and fraud.
Read more: [link removed]
* EFF Sues DOGE and the Office of Personnel Management to Halt Ransacking of Federal Data
EFF has fought to protect privacy for nearly 35 years at the local, state,
and federal level, as well as around the world. We’re glad to join the
brigade of lawsuits defending Americans’ privacy from the brazen violations
that have played out across multiple federal agencies in the U.S.
Read more: [link removed]
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EFF Updates
* Stop Censoring Abortion: The Fight for Reproductive Rights in the Digital Age
With reproductive rights under fire across the U.S. and globally, access to
accurate abortion information has never been more critical and, alarmingly,
censorship of this information by social media companies appears to be
increasing. In response to this growing issue, EFF has partnered with the
Repro Uncensored coalition to collect stories from individuals and
organizations who have faced censorship on these platforms to expose the true
scale of the issue. If you’ve been affected, let us know.
[link removed]
* Mad at Meta? Don't Let Them Collect and Monetize Your Personal Data
You might think of Meta as a social media company, but its primary business
is surveillance advertising. If you want to limit Meta’s ability to collect
and profit from your personal data, here’s what you need to know.
[link removed]
* Analyzing the Privacy Impact of Xianghongshu AKA Red Note
EFF has independently confirmed that Red Note retrieves posted content over
plaintext http. Due to this lack of even basic transport layer encryption we
don’t think this application is safe for anyone to use. Even if you don’t
care about giving China your data, it is not safe to use any application that
doesn’t use encryption by default.
[link removed]
* When Platforms and the Government Unite, Remember What’s Private and What Isn’t
As companies and the government become more entwined through CEO friendships,
bureaucratic entanglements, and ideological harmony, we should all be asking
what online data is private and what is sitting on a company's servers and
accessible to corporate leadership at the drop of a hat.
[link removed]
* VICTORY! Federal Court (Finally) Rules Backdoor Searches of 702 Data Unconstitutional
Last month, a federal district court held that backdoor searches of databases
full of Americans’ private communications collected under Section 702
ordinarily require a warrant. In light of this ruling, we ask Congress to
uphold its responsibility to protect civil rights and civil liberties by
refusing to renew Section 702 absent a number of necessary reforms.
[link removed]
* Senate Passes TAKE IT DOWN Act, Threatening Free Expression and Due Process
As currently drafted, the TAKE IT DOWN Act recently passed by the Senate
mandates a notice-and-takedown system that threatens free expression, user
privacy, and due process, without addressing the problem it claims to solve.
This misguided bill can still be stopped in the House of Representatives.
Tell your Representative to vote NO on this bill.
[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
* Know Means Know: How Attacks on Porn Put Sex Ed at Risk
Think attempts to restrict porn won't affect you? If you care about sex ed,
we invite you to this event featuring EFF speakers hosted by EducateUS to
think again.
[link removed]
* EFF at SCaLE 22x
EFF is excited to be back in Pasadena, CA for SCaLE 22x! Stop by the EFF
booth to chat with some of our team and learn about the latest news in
defending digital freedom for all.
[link removed]
* EFFecting Change: Is There Hope for Social Media?
Is it possible to effectively build the kinds of communities we want online
while avoiding the pitfalls that have driven people away?Join our panel where
we’ll explore the future of free expression online and why social media
might still be worth saving.
[link removed]
* EFF Thanks Its Organizational Members
EFF thanks Fastly, Corellium, Cyphercon, DeleteMe, SCaLE, and Cactus Con for
their generous support, helping us fight for your rights online. To learn
more about organizational membership and how your team can make an impact,
visit eff.org/thanks [1].
[1] [link removed]
[link removed]
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Job Openings
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MiniLinks
- Critics say new Google rules put profits over privacy (BBC)
EFF’s Lena Cohen explained how Google’s decision to lift its ban on
fingerprinting shows a blatant disregard for user privacy. "The same tracking
techniques that Google claims are essential for online advertising also
expose individuals' sensitive information to data brokers, surveillance
companies, and law enforcement," she told the BBC.
[link removed]
- As Migrant Arrests and Deportations Increase, Remember You Have the Right To Record ICE (Reason)
Similar to filming the police as they operate, you have the right to film
ICE, as long as you are not obstructing official duties. Reason quoted our
blog post offering general guidelines when it comes to filming law
enforcement, including ICE.
[link removed]
- Watchdog organization calls for investigation as pregnancy centers spark privacy fears (Dallas Morning News)
Last month, EFF called on attorneys general in four states to investigate
crisis pregnancy centers that may be misrepresenting protections around
client information. “We’re just concerned that people are providing
deeply personal information in a time of crisis and not realizing that …
there might not be actually enforceable guidelines around how that
information is being handled,” EFF’s Corynne McSherry told The Dallas
Morning News.
[link removed]
- How a City Uses Fusus to Spy on Its Poorest Residents (Gizmodo)
Looking at data on police surveillance of subsidized housing residents
obtained by Gizmodo, EFF’s Beryl Lipton told the news site, “The idea
that people who are already in a vulnerable space in their housing
development are subject to increased levels of surveillance simply because
that is where they live really highlights how inequitable and unjust these
applications of surveillance can be.”
[link removed]
- Judge tosses tech exec’s lawsuit against journalist who published his arrest report (SF Chronicle)
Although courts have the power to seal records in appropriate cases, if and
when someone provides a copy of a sealed record to a reporter, the reporter
shouldn’t be forced to ignore the newsworthy information in that record. As
EFF’s Tori Noble said in a blog post quoted by the San Francisco Chronicle,
“Instead, they should be allowed to do what journalists do: report the
news.”
[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
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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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