|
In our 575th issue:
The success of Wikileaks in obtaining and releasing information has inspired mainstream media outlets to develop copycat sites, including ones run by the Wall Street Journal and Al-Jazeera. EFF's review of the Terms of Services of these sites reveals that they aren't adequately protecting the security and privacy of sources. For example, the Terms of Service for Al-Jazeera's site give the administrators flexibility to "share personally identifiable information in response to a law enforcement agency’s request, or where we believe it is necessary."
Facebook debuted a tag suggestion feature in December, which works by using facial recognition technology to examine photos in which you’ve already been tagged and then creates a "facial fingerprint." Facebook then uses this fingerprint to suggest your name to your friends when they upload a photo of you. Like most new Facebook features, this one is turned on by default. If this makes you uncomfortable, you will need to opt out manually. Check out EFF's video showing three ways to delete your facial fingerprint data from Facebook.
Less than two weeks since launching, participants in the EFF Tor Challenge have generated over 400 new Tor relays. Tor is a service that masks your IP address. Activists, bloggers, and humanitarian aid workers around the world depend on Tor to maintain their anonymity online and access websites that have been blocked by their governments. To encourage even more relays, we’re adding a special incentive: anyone who sets up 5 or more qualifying relays will receive a custom Molly Crabapple poster explaining how Tor works.
EFF Updates
DEF CON 19 Getaway Contest Update!
Who will win the mind-numbingly good Vegas Grand Prize Package including a standard suite at the Rio Hotel and Casino, two DC 19 Human badges, two tickets to Vegas 2.0's party theSummit, two badges for the ultra-exclusive Ninja Networks Party, AND an EFF Swag Super Pack? With just weeks left, it's all up to you!
EFF Joins Amicus Brief Urging Ohio Supreme Court to Find Warrantless GPS Tracking Unconstitutional
EFF joined legal defense organizations, law professors, and others to urge the Ohio Supreme Court to rule that warrantless surveillance of a car with a GPS tracking device violates the Fourth Amendment’s prohibition against unreasonable searches and seizures.
Supreme Court Affirms High Standard of Proving Patents Invalid
In a disappointing decision, the Supreme Court upheld the Federal Circuit's rule that, in litigation, a patent may be proved invalid by clear and convincing evidence. EFF filed an amicus brief to support our view that a lower standard of proof should be necessary to invalidate bad patents that stifle innovation.
New Member T-Shirts
For a limited time, new and renewing members can choose a new shirt featuring our 8-bit style robot mecha girl throwing EFF pixel fire across the chest, with "I FIGHT FOR THE USERS" stamped on the back!
miniLinks
ACLU Sues State Department to Declassify Diplomatic Cables Already Revealed by WikiLeaks
The ACLU filed a Freedom of Information Act request for 23 embassy cables that were widely disseminated by news organizations in November 2010. The government has refused to respond to the request, prompting a lawsuit by the ACLU.
Richard Dreyfuss reads the iTunes EULA
CNET recruited Academy Award winning actor Richard Dreyfuss to provide a dramatic (and hilarious) reading of Apple's End User License Agreement for iTunes.
Cybersecurity Theory and Myths
Law professor Derek Bambauer debunks four myths about cybersecurity - including "No one cares more about civil liberties than Cyber Command and the National Security Agency."
Administrivia
ISSN 1062-9424
EFFector is a publication of the Electronic Frontier Foundation.
454 Shotwell Street
San Francisco, CA
94110-1914
USA +1 415 436 9333
+1 415 436 9993 (fax)
eff.org
Editor:
Parker Higgins, Activist
editor@eff.org
Membership & donation queries: membership@eff.org
General EFF, legal, policy, or online resources queries: info@eff.org
Reproduction of this publication in electronic media is encouraged. Signed articles do not necessarily represent the views of EFF. To reproduce signed articles individually, please contact the authors for their express permission.
Press releases and EFF announcements & articles may be reproduced individually at will.
Back issues of EFFector
Change your email address
This newsletter is printed from 100% recycled electrons.
EFF appreciates your support and respects your privacy. Privacy Policy.
Unsubscribe or change your email preferences, or opt out of all EFF email
{domain.address}
|
