Category: privacy

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National Academies Report on Bulk Intelligence Collection

Posted on By infossl
databases, intelligence, nationalsecuritypolicy, privacy, Security technology, surveillance

In January, the National Academies of Science (NAS) released a report on the bulk collection of signals intelligence. Basically, a year previously President Obama tasked the Director of National Intelligence with assessing “the feasibility of creating software that would allow the Intelligence Community more easily to conduct target information acquisition rather than bulk collection.” The … Read More “National Academies Report on Bulk Intelligence Collection” »

NSA Using Hacker Research and Results

Posted on By infossl
edwardsnowden, gchq, hacking, intelligence, nsa, privacy, Security technology, surveillance

In the latest article based on the Snowden documents, the Intercept is reporting that the NSA and GCHQ are piggy-backing on the work of hackers: In some cases, the surveillance agencies are obtaining the content of emails by monitoring hackers as they breach email accounts, often without notifying the hacking victims of these breaches. “Hackers … Read More “NSA Using Hacker Research and Results” »

US Law Enforcement Also Conducting Mass Telephone Surveillance

Posted on By infossl
courts, dea, metadata, nationalsecuritypolicy, phones, privacy, Security technology, surveillance

Late last year, in a criminal case involving export violations, the US government disclosed a mysterious database of telephone call records that it had queried in the case. The defendant argued that the database was the NSA’s, and that the query was unconditional and the evidence should be suppressed. The government said that the database … Read More “US Law Enforcement Also Conducting Mass Telephone Surveillance” »

Surveillance Detection for Android Phones

Posted on By infossl
android, cellphones, phones, privacy, Security technology, surveillance

It’s called SnoopSnitch: SnoopSnitch is an app for Android devices that analyses your mobile radio traffic to tell if someone is listening in on your phone conversations or tracking your location. Unlike standard antivirus apps, which are designed to combat software intrusions or steal personal info, SnoopSnitch picks up on things like fake mobile base … Read More “Surveillance Detection for Android Phones” »

How Surveillance Causes Writers to Self-Censor

Posted on By infossl
academicpapers, censorship, internetandsociety, privacy, Security technology, surveillance

A worldwide survey of writers affiliated with PEN shows a significant level of self-censoring. From the press release: The report’s revelations, based on a survey of nearly 800 writers worldwide, are alarming. Concern about surveillance is now nearly as high among writers living in democracies (75%) as among those living in non-democracies (80%). The levels … Read More “How Surveillance Causes Writers to Self-Censor” »

Doxing as an Attack

Posted on By infossl
anonymity, deanonymization, games, privacy, Security technology

Those of you unfamiliar with hacker culture might need an explanation of “doxing.” The word refers to the practice of publishing personal information about people without their consent. Usually it’s things like an address and phone number, but it can also be credit card details, medical information, private e-mails — ­pretty much anything an assailant … Read More “Doxing as an Attack” »

"Santa Claus and the Surveillance State"

Posted on By infossl
academicpapers, generations, privacy, Security technology, surveillance

He sees you when you’re sleeping. He knows when you’re awake. He’s everywhere. And that’s the whole point of the Elf on the Shelf, the bright-eyed, Kewpie-esque doll that millions of parents display around their homes in December as a reminder to children to behave. The elf, the story goes, is an agent reporting back … Read More “"Santa Claus and the Surveillance State"” »

Reacting to the Sony Hack

Posted on By infossl
cyberterrorism, cyberwar, hacking, northkorea, privacy, Security technology, sony

First we thought North Korea was behind the Sony cyberattacks. Then we thought it was a couple of hacker guys with an axe to grind. Now we think North Korea is behind it again, but the connection is still tenuous. There have been accusations of cyberterrorism, and even cyberwar. I’ve heard calls for us to … Read More “Reacting to the Sony Hack” »