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EFFector - Volume 27, Issue 17 - The Rise of the Next Crypto Wars

EFFECTOR

EFFector - Volume 27, Issue 17 - The Rise of the Next Crypto Wars

 
 
EFFector! Electronic Frontier Foundation
 
 

In our 669th issue:

Even a Golden Key Can Be Stolen by Thieves

Law enforcement has been ablaze with indignation since Apple first announced three weeks ago that it was expanding the scope of what types of data would be encrypted on devices running iOS 8. When Google followed suit and announced that Android L would also come with encryption on by default, it only added fuel to the fire. But these decisions, first and foremost, are about protecting the security of users. These companies have made a sound engineering decision to make mobile security as strong as they know how, by bringing it in line with laptop and desktop security.

In Hotfile Docs, Warner Hid References to "Robots" And Its Deliberate Abuse of Takedowns

After months of delay, Warner has finally released documents detailing its notice-and-takedown practices. The information was filed under seal in the now-defunct Hotfile litigation until a federal court, prompted by a motion from EFF, ordered Warner to produce them for the public. These documents confirm the movie studio's abuse of the DMCA takedown process. They describe Warner "robots" sending thousands of infringement accusations to sites like the now-closed Hotfile without human review, based primarily on filenames and metadata rather than inspection of the files' contents. They also show that Warner knew its automated searches were too broad and that its system was taking down content in which Warner had no rights--likely a violation of the DMCA.

ComputerCOP: The Dubious 'Internet Safety Software' That Hundreds of Police Agencies Have Distributed to Families

For years, local law enforcement agencies around the country have told parents that installing ComputerCOP software is the "first step" in protecting their children online. But as official as it looks, ComputerCOP is actually just spyware, generally bought in bulk from a New York company that appears to do nothing but market this software to local government agencies. In the course of investigating and documenting the spread of that software through some 245 agencies in 35 states, EFF has conducted a security review of ComputerCOP and determined it is neither safe nor secure.

EFF Updates

They Fight Surveillance - And You Can Too

EFF has launched two projects to help you fight "privacy nihilism"--to show that despite the skepticism of your friends and colleagues, you can do something. In Counter-Surveillance Success Stories, we've collected examples of individuals and small groups who have chosen to battle unlawful spying in their own countries--and have won. And on our new I Fight Surveillance site, we're showcasing individuals from around the world who are taking a stand.

For Shame: Gannett Abuses DMCA to Take Down Political Speech

Like clockwork, another news organization is abusing the Digital Millennium Copyright Act's hair-trigger take down process to stifle political commentary just when that commentary is most timely. A Kentucky newspaper's editorial board live-streamed an interview with a Democratic candidate for Senate, and captured 40 uncomfortable seconds of her trying desperately to avoid admitting she voted for President Obama. A critic posted the video clip online--and the newspaper's parent company Gannett promptly took it down.

Stop the Spies: Australians Rise Up Against Mandatory Data Retention

The latest shadow over the civil liberties of Australians is a yet-unnamed mandatory data retention bill that will be introduced into the federal parliament during the week of October 27. Under the flimsy pretext that this measure is urgently needed to fight terrorism, the bill would require Australian Internet providers to scoop up highly personal information about their customers as they use the Internet and store it for two years for law enforcement agencies to access. On October 6, a grassroots website called Stop the Spies was launched to expose this threat and to mobilize ordinary Internet users to stop it.

Adobe Spyware Reveals (Again) the Price of DRM: Your Privacy and Security

The publishing world may finally be facing its "rootkit scandal." Two independent reports claim that Adobe's e-book software, "Digital Editions," logs every document readers add to their local "library," tracks what happens with those files, and then sends those logs back to the mother-ship, over the Internet, in the clear. In other words, Adobe is not only tracking your reading habits, it’s making it really, really easy for others to do so as well.

EFF Intervenes in Canadian Court Case to Protect Free Speech Online

EFF has filed a brief with the British Columbia Court of Appeal in Canada weighing in on a ruling that Google must block certain entire websites from its search results around the world. Such a broad injunction sets a dangerous precedent, especially where the injunction is likely to conflict with the laws of other nations. In its brief, EFF explains how the trial court's decision would have likely violated the U.S. Constitution and constituted an improper "mandatory injunction" under case law in California, where Google is based. By blocking entire websites, Canadian courts potentially censor innocent content that U.S. Internet users have a constitutional right to receive.

DEFCON Router Hacking Contest Reveals 15 Major Vulnerabilities

A DEFCON contest to find vulnerabilities in consumer router software this summer was hugely successful: participants discovered 15 "zero-day" vulnerabilities, including seven that allow full takeover. Those bugs have all been disclosed to the manufacturers, but fixes have been slow to roll out.

miniLinks

Listen: Audio from [UNDER SEAL] v. Holder, EFF's National Security Letter case

EFF squared off last week against the Department of Justice in the Ninth Circuit on behalf of gagged recipients of national security letters. The court has published an audio recording of that hearing.

NSA Mind-Bender: We Won't Tell You What Info We Already Leaked to the Media

In Wired, Kim Zetter reports that the National Security Agency has refused to release information in response to a FOIA request about the agency's authorized leaks to the media.

NSA's Director of Civil Liberties and Privacy's new report on Executive Order 12333 [pdf]

Rebecca J. Richards, the director of NSA's Civil Liberties and Privacy Office, has issued an overview of the civil liberties protections built into the agency's signals intelligence programs.

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Our members make it possible for EFF to bring legal and technological expertise into crucial battles about online rights. Whether defending free speech online or challenging unconstitutional surveillance, your participation makes a difference. Every donation gives technology users who value freedom online a stronger voice and more formidable advocate.

Please consider becoming an EFF member today.

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Administrivia

Editor: Parker Higgins, Activist
editor@eff.org

EFFector is a publication of the Electronic Frontier Foundation.
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Announcements

The Next Crypto Wars, Or How We Never Learned to Stop Regulating Exports

EFF Staff Attorney Nate Cardozo will give the keynote address at Kuala Lumpur's Hack in the Box security conference.
October 15, 2014
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

EFF at Future Days

EFF's Director of International Freedom of Expression Jillian York will speak at Future Places' Future Days festival.
October 15-18, 2014
Porto, Portugal

Das ist Netzpolitik!

EFF's Jillian York will speak at Netzpolitik's 10-year anniversary event.
October 17, 2014
Berlin, Germany

Project Censored Book Release

EFF Media Relations Coordinator Dave Maass will discuss EFF's contribution to Censored 2015, Project Censored's annual collection of under-reported news stories and related essays. Maass' piece describes the sea change in media coverage of issues around electronic surveillance in the wake of the Edward Snowden leaks.
October 25, 2014
Berkeley, CA

You Are Here: GPS Location Tracking

EFF Staff Attorney Hanni Fakhoury will present twice at the Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyers Association's Annual Sunny Climate Seminar. He will give a presentation on government location tracking issues and then participate in a panel discussion on "Pressing Fourth and Fifth Amendment Issues in Data Privacy."
November 11, 2014
Kohala Coast, HI

Social Media Ethics for Defense Attorneys

EFF Staff Attorney Hanni Fakhoury will give a one hour continuing legal education presentation on social media ethics for defense attorneys at the Northern District of Illinois's Criminal Justice Act Annual Seminar.
November 21, 2014
Chicago, IL

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