| ____|| ____|| ____|___ __ | |_ ___ _ _
| ____|| ____|| ____|/ -_)/ _|| _|/ _ | '_|
|______||_| |_| ___| __| __| ___/|_|

EFFector Vol. 37, No. 7 Wednesday, Jul 2, 2025 [email protected]

A Publication of the Electronic Frontier Foundation
ISSN 1062-9424

effector: n, Computer Sci. A device for producing a
desired change.

: . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . :

🤫 Meta’s Secret Spying Scheme

Welcome to an all-new EFFector, your regular digest on everything digital rights from the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

In our 824th issue: A disturbing surveillance advertising scheme, the Supreme Court deals a direct blow to the free speech rights of adults, and the terrible return of the NO FAKES Act.

When you lose your rights online, you lose them in real life. Become an EFF member today!

[link removed]

: . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . :

‌Featured Story: Meta’s Sneaky Pixels

It's no secret that adtech giants like Google, Meta, and Amazon are spying on what we do online. To them, your data is their business—and business is good. But even in the shady world of surveillance advertising, some things are frowned upon. Like, say, circumventing basic security features to snoop on what websites people are visiting, as Meta was ​recently caught​ doing.

The sneaky tracking scheme was ​​uncovered by researchers [1]​​ last month. They found that, on Android devices, tracking pixels embedded on websites were covertly passing data from mobile browsers to Meta's Facebook and Instagram apps. This violates the principle of sandboxing, which is intended to keep applications from communicating with each other, and was accomplished by exploiting a feature mainly used for developer testing.

Speaking to Ars Technica, a Google representative ​characterized the scheme​ targeting Android users [2] as employing "invasive techniques" that "blatantly violate our security and privacy principles.” For its part, once Meta's shenanigans were exposed, the company announced it would "pause the feature" and pledged to resolve "potential miscommunication" over Google's policies.

Over on our blog, we ​wrote a post​ explaining exactly what was discovered, what makes it so egregious, and what you can do to protect yourself. You can follow some of those tips right now, like using a privacy-focused browser, deleting unnecessary apps, or (shameless plug alert) installing Privacy Badger, EFF's ​free browser extension [3]​ that blocks trackers to stop companies from spying on you online.

That said, the best way to stop this cycle of invasive tracking techniques and patchwork fixes is to ​ban online behavioral advertising​ entirely. We need strong federal privacy laws to ensure that you, not Meta, control what information you share online. Sing it loud: End surveillance advertising now.

READ MORE: [link removed]

[1] [link removed]
[2] [link removed]
[3] [link removed]
: . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . :

‌EFF Updates

🪪 AGE VERIFICATION: Last week, the ​Supreme Court upheld Texas' age verification law, which forces adults to submit personal information over the internet to access websites that contain a certain amount of sexual content. As we write on our blog, ​this speech-trampling decision​​​ will negatively affect nearly every U.S. adult internet user's privacy, anonymity, and digital security for the foreseeable future.

[link removed]

🙅 NO FAKES? NO THANKS: A U.S. Senate bill that takes a flawed approach to concerns about AI-generated “replicas” is back and nastier than ever. The latest version of the NO FAKES Act mandates ​​an entire new online censorship regime​​ ​with few safeguards against abuse, EFF explains.

[link removed]

👮 COPPING OUR DATA: When the cops come snooping, what online data can they obtain and how? A variety of federal and state laws ​give police the power to get your data​ from online services. Our new blog post summarizes how these legal processes work and what users (and service providers) can do to improve privacy.

[link removed]

💡 COMPETITION: Can the good people of Australia be trusted to choose what apps to install? ​Apple doesn't think so​, evidently. The iPhone maker recently painted a grave picture of the technological horrors that await Australia should they (quite sensibly) dare to open up Apple's "walled garden."

[link removed]

📝 BORDER TIPS FOR JOURNALISTS: It's hard to predict whether your device will be searched when entering the U.S., but there are things reporters can do to lower the risks to themselves and their sources. ​This security checklist​—which compliments a new training module for journalism students in border communities—was written to help journalists prepare for transit through a U.S. port of entry while preserving the confidentiality of their most sensitive information.

[link removed]

🎧 ON THE POD: On ​a recent episode​ of EFF's "How to Fix the Internet" podcast, we chatted with Harlo Holmes, digital security director at Freedom of the Press Foundation. Listen to our discussion to learn more about what it takes to digitally secure journalists’ work in an environment where critics, hackers, oppressive regimes, and others seem to have the free press in their crosshairs.

[link removed]

: . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . :

EFFecting Change: EFF Turns 35!

Since 1990, EFF's lawyers, activists, analysts, and technologists have used everything in their toolkit to ensure that technology supports freedom, justice, and innovation for all people of the world. They've seen it all and, in this special ​EFF 35th Anniversary livestream​, we'll explore what's next for technology users.

On Thursday, July 10th at 11:00am PDT, join EFF Executive Director Cindy Cohn, EFF Legislative Director Lee Tien, EFF Director of Cybersecurity Eva Galperin, and Professor / EFF Board Member Yoshi Kohno for a live Q&A. ​Register now​ for this free virtual event.

LEARN MORE: [link removed]

: . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . :

MiniLinks

🗣️ Free Speech

- "​US stud​​ent visa applicants must make social media public​​" (The Register)

[link removed]

- "​US officials refute claim that tourist was denied entry over JD Vance meme​" (USA Today)

[link removed]

🔒 Privacy

- "​Flock Removes States From National Lookup Tool After ICE and Abortion Searches Revealed​" (404 Media)

[link removed]

- "​ICE seeks proprietary data and tech to monitor up to a million people​" (FedScoop)

[link removed]

- "​Hundreds of data brokers might be breaking state laws, say privacy advocates​" (The Verge)

[link removed]

- "​Judge denies creating 'mass surveillance program' harming all ChatGPT users​" (Ars Technica)

[link removed]

🔎 Transparency

- "​Inside Amsterdam’s high-stakes experiment to create fair welfare AI​" (MIT Technology Review)

[link removed]

🌎 International

- "​​​Brazil’s Supreme Court justices agree to make social media companies liable for user content​​" (Associated Press)

[link removed]

🗝️ Security

- "​House staffers can’t have WhatsApp on their devices​" (The Verge)

[link removed]

- "​How a Tiny Middleman Could Access Two-Factor Login Codes From Tech Giants​" (Bloomberg)

[link removed]

: . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . :

"If we want to get out of this cycle of new tracking technique and then patchwork fixes, I think we need to ban online behavioral advertising."

EFF's Lena Cohen in ​this week's EFFector audio companion​ on how to break the incentives that drive companies to spy on us online. Hear our full interview with Lena ​here​:

[link removed]

: . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . :

Announcements

* EFF Events

- EFFecting Change Livestream: EFF Turns 35! | July 10

[link removed]

- EFF at Open Sauce 🤖 in San Mateo, CA | July 18-20

[link removed]

- EFF at DEF CON 33 🧑‍💻 in Las Vegas, NV | Aug. 6-7

[link removed]

* Celebrating 35 Years

We're celebrating EFF's 35th Anniversary! Check out brand new member t-shirts, hoodies, and stickers. And become a monthly or annual recurring donor by July 10 and you'll get a custom EFF35 Challenge Coin. [link removed].

* Corporate Giving and Sponsorships

EFF thanks the organizations who support our work. To learn more about how your team can make an impact, visit [link removed].

: . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . :

Supported by Donors

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. [link removed]

If you aren't already, please consider becoming an EFF member today.

[link removed]

: . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . :

Administrivia

Editor:
[email protected]

Membership & donation queries:
[email protected]

General EFF, legal, policy, or online resources queries:
[email protected]

Reproduction of this publication in electronic media is encouraged. MiniLinks do not necessarily represent the views of EFF.

Back issues of EFFector are available via the Web at:
[link removed]

Unsubscribe from future mailings or change your email preferences: [link removed]

Opt out of all EFF email: [link removed]

815 Eddy Street, San Francisco, CA 94109 USA​