Whistleblowers are always accused of helping America’s enemies (top Nixon aides accused Daniel Ellsberg of being a Soviet spy and causing the deaths of Americans with his leak); it’s just the tactical playbook that’s automatically used. So it’s of course unsurprising that ever since Edward Snowden’s whistleblowing enabled newspapers around the world to report on secretly implemented programs of mass surveillance, he has been accused by “officials” and their various media allies of Helping The Terrorists™.
As the world reels from the Paris attacks, presidential candidates and tech companies will be forced to face questions on encryption with new urgency.
Less than 2 days after the Daesh attacks in Paris, technology was, predictably, named as an accomplice — if not an enabler — of terrorism, crime, and
other nefarious outcomes.
Despite the intelligence community’s attempts to blame NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden for the tragic attacks in Paris on Friday, the NSA’s mass surveillance programs do not have a track record—before or after Snowden—of identifying or thwarting actual, large-scale terrorist plots.
Suggestions that the attacks in Paris last Friday were helped by easy access to encryption technology are not based in evidence.
With more than 120 people killed in Paris, US government officials are already touting the City of Light as the case against encryption.
News of the terrorist attacks in Paris broke late Friday afternoon, and after a weekend of covering the attacks and their fallout, a group of Mashable editors gathered in executive editor Jim Roberts‘ office Monday morning to brainstorm the next steps for their coverage.
Facebook executives have responded to critics who have questioned why the company hasn’t activated its “safety check” feature in more situations.
Facebook’s Safety Check tool lets those in Paris report they’re okay
Some terrible things have happened in Paris this evening. If you’ve got friends or family in Paris, Facebook is making it easy to check up on them. Facebook’s safety check is available for those in and around Paris. If you’re in the area, an option to let friends know you’re alright will put minds at ease. If you’re worried you may have loved ones in that area, Facebook’s tool also reports on which of the people you’re connected to on Facebook may be in Paris right now. ➤ Facebook Safety Check
Pirate Bay Censorship Marks the End of Open Internet, ISP Warns
Almost exactly one year ago, Universal Music, Sony Music, Warner Music, Nordisk Film and the Swedish Film Industry teamed up against Swedish ISP Bredbandsbolaget (Broadband Company).
But it wasn’t enough to stop them.
A police officer pulled over a Google self-driving car yesterday because it was going only 24 miles per hour in a 35 mph zone. But the car had no driver, so he could not issue a ticket. The officer asked the human passenger why the car decided to drive so slowly.
In the wake of the Paris attacks yesterday, Facebook has been quick to surface some of its tools to help users alert their friends and family of their safety. Now, everyone around the world can also show support by adding a French flag filter to their profile photos.
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