Internet Blackout Day’s effect on SOPA/PIPA congressional support
Rep. Lamar Smith, the chief sponsor of the ‘Stop Online Piracy Act’ (SOPA), dismissed the opposition to SOPA as illegitimate and of minor importance. Oh really?! —drego
(source: ProPublica.org, via uberhumor)
Get ready for a new human species
“If some of the information emerging from the technology, governmental, and academic worlds are any indication, not only is the police state here; the scientific dictatorship is right around the corner. Indeed, if recent comments made by Juan Enriquez are indicative of the coming state merger between technology and genetics, we have much to be concerned about. “ Read more…
(source: Red Ice Creations, via Current)
Full disk encryption is too good, says US intelligence agency
“You might be shocked to learn this, but when a quivering-lipped Chloe from 24 cracks the encryption on a terrorist’s hard drive in 30 seconds, the TV show is faking it. “So what? It’s just a TV show.” Well, yes, but it turns out that real federal intelligence agencies, like the FBI, CIA, and NSA, also have a problem cracking encrypted hard disks — and according to a new research paper, this is a serious risk to national security.” Read more…
(source: ExtremeTech)
Obama pledges to veto anti-net neutrality legislation
“The White House said Tuesday that President Barack Obama likely would veto upcoming legislation that would unwind net-neutrality rules the Federal Communications Commission adopted last year. “ Read more…
(source: Wired)
U.S. government also a villain in piracy act story
“Now that we’ve had a few days to digest the MPAA-backed Stop Online Piracy Act (PDF), can we all finally agree that the MPAA is evil and Hollywood wants the Internet to die? And then can we stop letting them write laws for us?” Read more…
(source: CNET)
(source: Liberty Maniacs, via Emma Shull)
Feds order YouTube to remove video for containing “government criticism”
“The number of takedown orders received by Google from authorities based in the United States rose dramatically over the past year, with demands to remove information, including videos containing “government criticism,” increasing by 70 per cent.” Read more…
(sourcr: Fact Over Fiction, via Current)
Patriot Act turns 10, with no signs of retirement
“The USA Patriot Act, the law granting the government vast surveillance powers that was adopted in the wake of September 11, turns a decade old Wednesday. But despite its namesake of “Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism,” the law seemingly is being invoked far more to target domestic crime than for fighting terrorism.” Read more…
(source: Wired)
Umbrellas are now illegal in Seattle thanks to Mayor McGinn
“As basic human rights go, the right to take shelter under an umbrella is about as basic as it gets, especially in drizzly Seattle. It’s also a right that, at least for the Occupy Seattle protestors in Westlake Park, seems to have been revoked, thanks to Mayor Mike McGinn.” Read more…
(source: Seattle Weekly)
How to wage war in cyberspace with Iran
“Iran has already begun deployment of cyber forces in small teams throughout the world to avoid devastation if the networks internal to Iran are crippled. A myriad of intelligence agencies are gathering as much intelligence as possible for a possible war in cyberspace with Iran.” Read more…
(source: InfosecIsland, via Current)
Net neutrality rules and regulations to take effect within months
“According to Reuters, the White House’s Office of Management and Budget has finally signed off on the [FCC’s proposed rules for net neutrality], which clears the way for implementation in the coming months. In a nutshell, net neutrality concerns whether or not the government should regulate ISPs, and if so, to what extent. The new rules are, predictably, a compromise; if you’re interested in the nitty-gritty details, you can read the FCC’s document for yourself.”
“To say that Net neutrality has been a contentious issue would be an understatement; even the FCC commissioners narrowly approved the rules with a 3-2 vote. The issue has been hotly debated for years, and there’s been no sign of abatement as the rules creep closer to the day when they officially take effect.” Read more…
(source: HotHardware)
Did the post-9/11 decade make us stronger?
“The U.S. has spent trillions to prevent more terrorist attacks, but some critics charge that we’re barely any safer as a result.” Read more…
(source: The Week)
The real legacy of 9/11
“Ten years after the September 11 terrorist attacks, the United States continues to define its relationship with much of the rest of the world in terms of what used to be called the ‘war on terror,’ or the Long War…. The real but relatively small threat from al Qaeda has preoccupied the U.S. for a decade, and the responses to it have mostly drained our resources, marred our national reputation, and undermined our traditional alliances. “ Read more…
(source: The Week)
