California’s statewide CalGang database, which includes more than 150,000 people, has come under fire for its secrecy, which can ensnare innocent peop
Surveillance and Privacy
How the proliferation of surveillance technology affects personal privacy in the digital age
Posted inSurveillance and Privacy
Are Christian conservatives behind breach of 18 million voter records?
A man in Texas recently uncovered an online breach of millions of bits of personal information for registered U.S. voters. The data appeared to stem from evangelical Christian activists’ political outreach efforts. But who had leaked it or hacked it – and why?
Posted inCriminal Justice, Law Enforcement, Local Law Enforcement, Surveillance and Privacy
Facebook Reactions are a gift to advertisers and law enforcement alike
Facebook’s new “Reactions” – a thumbs-up, a heart and four faces with expressions ranging from mirth to shock, sadness and anger – are intended to hel
Posted inCriminal Justice, Law Enforcement, Local Law Enforcement, Surveillance and Privacy
New York police tracked cellphones across East Coast without warrants
The New York Police Department has used controversial cellphone tracking technology over a thousand times since 2008 and appears to have farmed out the devices to law enforcement agencies up and down the East Coast.
Posted inLocal Law Enforcement, Surveillance and Privacy
Oakland, California, OKs nation’s second permanent privacy committee
Oakland, California’s City Council approved the formation of the Permanent Privacy Advisory Committee to develop policies for surveillance equipment use by city agencies.
Posted inCybersecurity, Surveillance and Privacy
Contrary to claims, police wiretaps threatened by encryption are down
American law enforcement officials argue the Paris attacks show need for “backdoors” that enable government surveillance in computing devices and software despite a drop in requests for wiretaps on encrypted communications.
Posted inCybersecurity, Surveillance and Privacy
Is digital freedom good for business in Silicon Valley?
Google outperformed several other tech giants in Silicon Valley on digital freedom of expression and Internet privacy, including competitors Twitter and Facebook, according to a newly released index of corporate responsibility from the research consortium Ranking Digital Rights.
Posted inCybersecurity, Surveillance and Privacy
It’s terrifyingly simple to hack life-saving medical devices
It’s been a breakout year for the so-called “Internet of Things,” in which everyday consumer products can now be connected to the Web, from doorbells and refrigerators to air conditioners and cars – making every aspect of our lives increasingly vulnerable to hackers. Perhaps the most frightening vulnerability to emerge is the cyber threat posed to life-saving medical devices.
Posted inCybersecurity, National Security, Surveillance and Privacy
California county is nation’s wiretap ‘capitol’
Between 2013 and 2014, one Riverside County judge, the former chief narcotics prosecutor, approved almost a thousand wiretaps requested by federal, state and local law enforcement.
Posted inCybersecurity, Law Enforcement, Local Law Enforcement, Surveillance and Privacy
Transparency advocate resigns from Seattle police in frustration
Tim Clemans was featured in a recent Reveal story about the challenges confronting law enforcement agencies as they rolled out body camera programs.