In our 630th issue:

• UPDATES
• MINILINKS
• ANNOUNCEMENTS

Can the FCC Create Public "Super WiFi Networks"?

Contrary to some recent suggestions in the media, the government is not creating its own "super WiFi network." But its plans will indeed make awesome new WiFi networks possible. Technically, what the FCC is actually trying to do is increase the amount of open spectrum that is available for WiFi networks of all sorts, and for other "unlicensed" uses. This is a very good idea. Increasing the amount of unlicensed spectrum will lead to better functioning routers, tablets, laptops, and smartphones--and to a host of other new products in the marketplace.

Three Things Students Can Do Now to Promote Open Access

The open access movement is focused on fixing a major problem: much of the research funded with public money remains hidden behind paywalls, depriving it of the visibility it deserves. As a result, students and citizens face barriers accessing information they need, and professors have a hard time reviewing and teaching the state of the art. As scholars, researchers, and tuition-payers, students hold a powerful voice in setting the course for the future of knowledge. Here are three quick actions you can take to help promote the open access movement and support the cultural commons.

Rebooting Computer Crime Law: What Needs To Be Fixed

In the wake of social justice activist Aaron Swartz's tragic death, Internet users around the country are taking a hard look at the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA), the federal anti-hacking law. The CFAA's greatest flaw is that makes it illegal to access a computer without authorization or in a way that exceeds authorization, but doesn't clearly explain what that means. This murkiness gives the government lots of leeway to be creative in bringing charges.

EFF Updates

Facing Down A Copyright Troll in Federal Appeals Court

Copyright troll Righthaven LLC just doesn't know when to stand down. Faced with six district court judges determining it didn't have the right to sue people over copyrights it didn't own, it turned to a higher power: the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. On Tuesday, EFF appeared before that court to argue against Righthaven on behalf of one of its victims.

Home Video Surveillance Without a Warrant? EFF Asks Appeals Court to Reconsider

The next time you allow a guest into your home for dinner, should you be worried they're secretly video recording every detail of your home for the government? In a new amicus brief filed in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, we've asked the court to reconsider a decision finding that allowing someone into your home means you're also placing yourself at the risk of warrantless home video surveillance.

Podcasting Community Faces Patent Troll Threat; EFF Wants to Help

Another day, another patent troll. The troubling trend of suing downstream users and content providers really makes us mad. First it was the app developers, then those who scan documents to email. Now, the latest outrage: podcasters. EFF wants to help organize those facing the threat so that we can gauge the size of the problem and hopefully help people find counsel and a way to work together in response.

The Orphan Works Problem: Time to Fix It

Can Congress embrace and enact sensible copyright policy? Four years ago, for a brief shining moment, it seemed the answer might be yes, as various interested stakeholders rallied around long-overdue legislation that would have helped to fix the orphan works problem. In the past several months, however, momentum started slowly building once again toward a solution. The Copyright Office asked the public to weigh in and EFF, along with Public Knowledge, responded.

Congress Will Battle Over Internet Privacy in 2013

Last year, we saw more battles in Congress over Internet freedom than we have in many years as user protests stopped two dangerous bills: the censorship-oriented SOPA, and the privacy-invasive Cybersecurity Act of 2012. In 2013, Congress will tackle several bills--both good and bad--that could shape Internet privacy for the next decade. Here's what's ahead in the upcoming Congress.

It's Time for Transparency Reports to Become the New Normal

When you use the Internet, you entrust your thoughts, experiences, photos, and location data to intermediaries--companies like AT&T, Google, and Facebook. But when the government requests that data, users are usually left in the dark. The transparency reports from companies like Google, Twitter, DropBox, and more, have provided an invaluable source of information about the extent of law enforcement access to private data. Still, there are important gaps in our understanding of that issue that won't be filled until even more companies stand up for their users and demonstrate a commitment to transparency.

Iraq Takes Steps Toward Revoking Cybercrime Act

Following the events of the "Arab Spring," numerous countries throughout the Middle East and North Africa have begun assessing--or reassessing--their regulation of the Internet. Last April, we criticized Iraq's attempt at legislation: a heavy-handed bill that, if passed, would impose life imprisonment for vaguely-worded "crimes" such as promoting "ideas which are disruptive to public order" and lesser sentences for a range of other offenses. Fortunately, it looks as if this bill will not become law.

miniLinks

Wired: We need to think beyond the Aaron in 'Aaron’s Law'

Micah Schaffer makes the case for broad reforms to computer crime laws to bring the legal system into better alignment with our principles of justice.

New York Times: Staying private on the new Facebook

Four tips from the paper of record on how to check your privacy settings and secure your profile on new fronts opened by the release of Graph Search.

ACLU: Privacy & free speech: it's good for business

A newly-updated guide to privacy and free speech policies for companies online makes the case that upholding these user rights is not just the right thing to do, but can be a business advantage.

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

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Administrivia

Editor: Parker Higgins, Activist
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EFFector is a publication of the Electronic Frontier Foundation.
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