EFFector Vol. 23, No. 12 April 28, 2010 editor@eff.org A Publication of the Electronic Frontier Foundation ISSN 1062-9424 effector: n, Computer Sci. A device for producing a desired change. : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : In our 535th issue: * A SLEW OF NEW FACEBOOK SCHEMES THREATEN USERS' PRIVACY, and EFF has created tools to help Facebook users protect their information. One of the most radical changes is "Instant Personalization," which gives other websites (Yelp, Pandora, and Microsoft Docs, at the moment) personal information from your Facebook profile as soon as you visit their pages. Moreover, even if you opt out of Instant Personalization, your friends can leak information about you unless you block each application individually. To completely opt out of Instant Personalization: http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2010/04/how-opt-out-facebook-s-instant-personalization For more on Facebook's plans to make your information public: http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2010/04/facebook-further-reduces-control-over-personal-information * FINALLY, AFTER YEARS OF SECRECY, THE TEXT OF THE ANTI-COUNTERFEITING TRADE AGREEMENT (ACTA) HAS BEEN MADE PUBLIC. While this is a definitive victory for the countless activists who pressed for transparency, the officially released text makes it crystal clear that our worst fears about this international agreement are real: ACTA is not just about counterfeiting. ACTA targets citizens' ability to use the Internet to communicate, collaborate and create, and it poses significant concerns for citizens' privacy, freedom of expression and fair use rights. For EFF's preliminary analysis of the official ACTA text: http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2010/04/eff-analysis-officially-released-acta-text : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : EFF Updates * Film Company Takes Down Hitler Parodies on YouTube Countless video creators brought Internet fame to a scene from the German film, The Downfall, by cleverly subtitling an emotional rant by Hitler. Constatin Film, the copyright owner, has blithely decided to wipe out all the remix videos, fair use notwithstanding. http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2010/04/everyone-who-s-made-hitler-parody-leave-room * Consumers International Video: When Copyright Goes Bad The short film "When Copyright Goes Bad," featuring EFF Senior Staff Attorney Fred von Lohmann, chronicles the rise of copyright as a global consumer rights issue and the ongoing fight for fairer copyright laws. http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2010/04/consumers-international-video-when-copyright-goes-bad * 2010 Global IP Watchlist Promotes Access to Knowledge Featuring significant contributions from EFF, the consumer rights-focused document presents a detailed survey of global copyright laws and their impact on citizens' freedom to communicate, learn, and exchange information. http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2010/04/international-consumer-rights-group-publishes-2010 * Not-So-Gentle Persuasion: The Special 301 Report For years, the Special 301 report gave US rightsholder industries a way to intimidate other countries into amping copyright laws. But for the first time in 2010, groups interested in copyright reform were allowed to submit comments -- will we see more balance? http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2010/04/shaping-ip-laws-not-so-gentle-persuasion-special * Site Shows Government Information and Takedown Requests Google's Government Requests tool is a tremendously important first step towards informing the public about the extent to which governments around the world seek information about them. http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2010/04/google-shows-government-information-and-takedown : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : miniLinks ~ EFF Profile: Protecting Freedom & Privacy The SF Chronicle profiled EFF with an interview with Executive Director Shari Steele. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/04/24/BU2V1D2VCT.DTL ~ Senator Schumer Takes on Facebook Senator Chuck Schumer calls on the FTC to investigate "major privacy concerns" raised by recent Facebook decisions. http://schumer.senate.gov/new_website/record.cfm?id=324175 ~ Animator Nina Paley turns down Netflix Due to DRM "DRM is designed to benefit Big Media conglomerates, not artists." http://blog.ninapaley.com/2010/04/23/turning-down-netflix/ : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : Announcements * Party in Vegas with EFF's DEF CON Getaway Contest EFF wants to help you get to DEF CON 18 and party in style! Register for the DEF CON Getaway Fundraising Contest, and receive a personalized referral link. Send the link to your friends and family, and tell them why they should support EFF. The contestant(s) to raise the most money for EFF between now and June 30, 2010, will win: - two DEF CON 18 Human badges; - a standard room at the Riviera Hotel for the nights of July 29-31; - two tickets to the Vegas 2.0 Party at the Top of the Riv on July 29; - two tickets to the iSEC Partners Party, location and date TBD; and - two badges to the Ninja Networks Party, location TBD, on July 31. There are prizes for second and third place winners, as well. Visit www.eff.org/defcon for more information and official contest rules. Contact aaron@eff.org with any questions. See you in Sin City! * Help EFF Go to SouthEast LinuxFest! EFF is looking for donations of airline miles, flight vouchers, and hotel points for travel to SouthEast LinuxFest in Spartanburg, SC, as well as other conferences and speaking engagements. If you have enough airline miles for a free ticket and would like to send an EFF staffer to a conference, let us know, and we will help you with the process of making the reservation. Please note that at this time we are unable to combine miles from multiple individuals. We are also looking for hotel rewards points to help reduce our overall travel costs. As a thanks for your donation, we can offer a free membership and a mention in EFFector (if you'd like). Please contact aaron@eff.org if you can help! * "Life 2.0" at the San Francisco International Film Fest EFF is proud to be a presenter of Life 2.0, directed by Jason Spingarn-Koff, at the 53rd San Francisco International Film Festival (April 22-May 6). EFF consulted with the filmmakers during the making of this film. Documented both online and in the real world, Life 2.0 examines the effects both humorous and unnerving of the virtual world Second Life by focusing on the lives of its users and chronicling their successes, failures, lives and loves. Showings at the Sundance Kabuki Cinemas: Friday, April 30 at 3:00 PM Sunday, May 2 at 1:00 PM Wednesday, May 5 at 9:15 PM For more information on Life 2.0, visit http://fest10.sffs.org/films/film_details.php?id=45 For tickets and more information on SFIFF53: http://fest10.sffs.org * EFF Seeking Staff Intellectual Property Attorney Dream job alert: EFF is seeking an intellectual property staff attorney for its legal team. Responsibilities include litigation, public speaking, media outreach, plus legislative and regulatory advocacy, all in connection with a variety of intellectual property and high technology matters. Qualified candidates should have at least four years of legal experience, with knowledge in patent law and at least one other IP specialty (copyright, trademark, trade secret). Litigation experience is required, including significant experience managing cases, both overall case strategy and day-to-day projects and deadlines. Candidates should have good communication skills and interest in working with a team of highly motivated lawyers and activists in a hard-working nonprofit environment. Strong writing and analytical skills as well as the ability to be self-motivated and focused are essential. Tech savvy and familiarity with Internet civil liberties and high tech public interest issues preferred. This position is based in San Francisco. Interested applicants should submit a resume, writing sample, and references to ipjob@eff.org. : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : * Administrivia EFFector is published by: The Electronic Frontier Foundation 454 Shotwell Street San Francisco CA 94110-1914 USA +1 415 436 9333 (voice) +1 415 436 9993 (fax) http://www.eff.org/ Editor: Richard Esguerra, EFF Activist richard@eff.org Membership & donation queries: membership@eff.org General EFF, legal, policy, or online resources queries: information@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. Current and back issues of EFFector are available via the Web at:
