Scott Thistle at the Bangor Daily News reports that the Maine Senate is now considering a bill regulating the use of drones. The bill is the result of consultations including legislators of both parties, the ACLU of Maine, and the Defense of Liberty PAC. It imposes a one-year moratorium on the use of drones by [...]
Drowning in Data, Starved for Wisdom: The surveillance state cannot meaningfully assess terrorism risks
by Alex Marthews on April 26, 2013
The NSA has just vigorously denied that their new Utah Data Center, intended for storing and processing intelligence data, will be used to spy on US citizens. The center will have a capacity of at least one yottabyte, and will provide employment for 100-200 people. With the most generous assumptions [200 employees, all employed only [...]
Panel Discussion on Privacy and Security, BU, April 24
by Alex Marthews on April 23, 2013
If you are in the BU area on Wednesday evening, come by to hear interesting speakers talking about privacy and security in the wake of the Boston Marathon attacks. Panelists will include Alex Marthews (that’s me!), James O’Keefe of the Massachusetts Pirate Party, and Gregg Housh. RSVP here.
Microscope Monday: Massachusetts’ new drone privacy bill
by Alex Marthews on March 4, 2013
Since our earlier analysis of the repellent new bill expanding electronic wiretapping was well-received, we’re starting an official series analyzing proposed Massachusetts legislation, called “Microscope Monday”. In honor of the efforts to organize a new drone privacy group here in Massachusetts, this week’s bill is S. 1664 (Hedlund) / H. 1357 (Garry), “An act to [...]
That Didn’t Take Long: Fugitive Accused Cop-Killer Christopher Dorner Accused of “Domestic Terrorism”, Will Become First US Citizen on US Soil Targeted By Drones
by Alex Marthews on February 11, 2013
If you needed any further evidence that it’s unwise to permit electronic surveillance to catch “terrorists”, USA Today has just provided it: Dorner has been accused by police of the shooting deaths of three people, one of them a police officer and another the daughter of a former officer. [...LAPD Police Chief Charlie] Beck said. [...]
By 2020, There Will Be Eyes On Everyone: Implications of Universal, Mass, Peer-to-Peer Surveillance
by Alex Marthews on February 6, 2013
We’re used to the fact that data storage technologies, once so sensationally expensive, are becoming drastically cheaper. What we don’t yet clearly realize is what that will mean for our everyday lives. Within ten years, it will be reasonably cheap to track every moment of your life. The technology already exists. You could each have [...]
Free Essam Attia, Political Artist
by Alex Marthews on December 21, 2012
Hey, kids! Worried about law enforcement using drones for surveillance? Well, maybe you oughta just shut your goddamn piehole on that, because here in the New America, complaining about that shit can get you arrested. That’s right. In the home of the First Amendment (my third favorite Amendment, after the Fourth (obvs) and the Ninth [...]