New research could allow ISPs to selectively block or slow down your encrypted traffic even if they cannot snoop on your transmitted data. Italian researchers have found a way to categorize the type of traffic that is hidden inside an encrypted SSH session to around 90% accuracy. They are achieving this by analyzing [...]
The FBI has confirmed to Popular Mechanics that it’s not only adding palm prints to its criminal records, but preparing to balloon its repository of photos, which an agency official says ‘could be the basis for our facial recognition.’ It’s all part of a new biometric software system that could store millions of [...]
A Canadian law clinic has asked the country’s Privacy Commissioner to take a closer look at the deep packet inspection being used by Bell Canada and others. While the technology also raises net neutrality concerns, in this case the issue is privacy.
[From Deep packet inspection under assault over privacy concerns]
Excellent article, chronicling the surveillance debate from the mid 1980s until today. Don’t expect good coverage of the current debate, however: the legality of the NSA’s recent domestic eavesdropping program, and the legality of the assistance provided by the telcos.
“It probably won’t surprise you, but in 2005, the FBI manufactured evidence to get the power to issue National Security Letters under the PATRIOT Act. Unlike normal subpoenas, NSLs do not require probable cause and you’re never allowed to talk about having received one, leading to a lack of accountability that [...]
Congress, DHS battle over domestic spy sats
[From Brief: Congress, DHS battle over domestic spy sats]
FBI Tried to Cover Patriot Act Abuses With Flawed, Retroactive Subpoenas
They guys are still at it; they keep getting my vote for top listing in Darwin Candidates.
Lawmakers let surveillance law lapse [From Brief: Lawmakers let surveillance law lapse]
Senate passes wiretap bill, grants immunity [From Brief: Senate passes wiretap bill, grants immunity]
A few clueless individuals lately have proclaimed that SECURITY & PRIVACY are a Zero Sum Game. Those associated with the White House, FBI, Congress, TELCOs, DHS and DNI may need to re-read some basic American Constitutional documents. Maybe there should be a special “Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader” version just for them.
Bruce Schneier [...]
Boing Boing’s Gadgets editor Joel Johnson was asked to appear on The Hugh Thompson Show, an AT&T-produced program that airs on the AT&T Tech Channel. Johnson was obviously supposed to speak about gadgets, but instead used his allotted time questioning AT&T’s plans to implement piracy filters across their network, which the show’s producers [...]
US Government challenges encryption keys ruling [From US Government challenges encryption keys ruling]
Spychief Mike McConnell is drafting a plan to protect America’s cyberspace that will raise privacy issues and make the current debate over surveillance law look like “a walk in the park,” McConnell tells The New Yorker in the issue set to hit newsstands Monday. “This is going to be a goat rope on the Hill. [...]
Significant security flaws in the Transportation Security Administration’s traveler redress web site exposed thousands of travelers to the risk of identity theft. Alanis might call it ironic, but we call it sad and unacceptable.
Read More…
[From TSA security flaws exposed users to risk of identity theft]
In announcing the final Real ID rules, DHS Secretary Chertoff’s message was clear: the time for democratic debate about what kind of society we want is over; it’s time for a national ID card.
[From Chertoff on final Real ID rules: "Reconfiguring our society"]
Policy group warns over travel card [From Brief: Policy group warns over travel card]
RE: Cryptome: NSA has real-time access to Hushmail servers [From Bugtraq: RE: Cryptome: NSA has real-time access to Hushmail servers]
A comprehensive new privacy report gives the US and UK black marks, placing them on the same level as China, Russia, and Malaysia. The report puts the US dead last among democratic countries.
[From US and UK have become "endemic" surveillance societies]
[From Privacy Rights Fragile In 2007 ]
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