Notices by Electronic Frontier Foundation (eff@mastodon.social)

As America takes a hard look at the effect of social media and online platforms on its politics, it's instructive to remember the online side of the events that shook the Middle East and North Africa a decade ago, and what happened next. https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2021/01/many-arab-spring-isnt-over

Tomorrow morning: join EFF, Electronic Frontier Alliance member @STOPSpyingNY, and others for a press conference on ending government use of face recognition in New York. https://www.eff.org/event/ban-scan-press-conference

The new administration must cut off funding streams for some of the worst types of police surveillance technology. We must end civil asset forfeiture which funds drones, license plate readers, and other spy tech.

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2021/01/end-two-federal-programs-fund-police-surveillance-tech

It's been more than a year since @twitter announced "Project Blue Sky," a bid to redesign social media around open protocols, not walled gardens. That's our kind of social media - now, will they do it?

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2021/01/twitter-and-interoperability-some-thoughts-peanut-gallery

This Wednesday, join @eff and @CodedBias for a Twitter chat on algorithmic bias, face recognition, and how we can find the best path forward to protect digital rights. https://www.eff.org/event/facial-recognition-and-coded-bias-online-conversation-eff-coded-bias-team

Tomorrow, Electronic Frontier Alliance member @RT4MN, and the rest of the @postmeMN coalition, will be hosting a Community Feedback Session on banning law enforcement use of face recognition in Minneapolis. https://www.eff.org/event/community-feedback-session-ban-facial-recognition

RT @CodedBias: Join us for a Twitter conversation on defending data rights with Nathan "nash" Sheard (@NaSh12) from Electronic Frontier Fou…

Twitter's "Project Blue Sky" promises an interoperable, decentralized, protocol-based future. Yes please!

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2021/01/twitter-and-interoperability-some-thoughts-peanut-gallery

A decade later, despite setbacks, much of the work that was started in the Arab Spring is still ongoing. https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2021/01/many-arab-spring-isnt-over

Monetizing a messenger isn’t just about making it easier for you to find businesses; it also means making it easier for businesses to find *you.* https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2021/01/its-business-usual-whatsapp

So, you're thinking about teaching digital security. Before getting started, it's important to know your audience. We have helpful tips for new digital security facilitators and trainers. https://sec.eff.org/articles/learning-about-your-audience

Police departments are deploying robots to get social media engagement and improve their image, but don't take the bait. Knightscope robots are rolling surveillance tech. https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2021/01/police-robots-are-not-selfie-opportunity-theyre-privacy-disaster-waiting-happen

"It’s past time to begin to restore power to consumers by curbing tech companies’ everyday overreach through lopsided consumer contracts."

We agree. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/23/opinion/sunday/online-terms-of-service.html

As the copyright lobby calls for more technological measures to restrict the use of copyrighted works, YouTube’s Content ID provides a sobering study in the dangers of such systems. https://www.eff.org/wp/unfiltered-how-youtubes-content-id-discourages-fair-use-and-dictates-what-we-see-online

Cover Your Tracks aims to make browser fingerprinting and tracking more understandable to the average user. Check it out today! https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2020/11/introducing-cover-your-tracks

Copyright filters are not compatible with fair use. Read how lawful expression is curtailed in our whitepaper, “Unfiltered: How YouTube’s Content ID Undermines Fair Use.” https://www.eff.org/wp/unfiltered-how-youtubes-content-id-discourages-fair-use-and-dictates-what-we-see-online

When WhatsApp says that its data sharing practices and policies haven’t changed, it is correct—and that’s exactly the problem. https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2021/01/its-business-usual-whatsapp

How can we start to fix social media? @jilliancyork suggests: “Companies should immediately expand their consultations to be truly inclusive of a more diverse range of civil society.” https://www.theguardian.com/media/2021/jan/16/how-to-fix-social-media-trump-ban-free-speech

Fake online events are a form of commentary that build resilience in the face of absurdity, criticize the powerful, and make people laugh—and like other parody and political satire, they are protected by the First Amendment. https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2021/01/political-satire-protected-speech-even-if-you-dont-get-joke

No collection of face biometrics by business without prior informed consent. https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2021/01/why-eff-doesnt-support-bans-private-use-face-recognition