Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

See the following -

Spread of DNA Databases sparks ethical concerns

Jill Lawless | Associated Press | July 12, 2013

Countries around the world are collecting genetic material from millions of citizens in the name of fighting crime and terrorism — and, according to critics, heading into uncharted ethical terrain. Read More »

'Beyond The Law?' FBI Criticizes Apple, Google Privacy Features

Brendan Sasso | Nextgov.com | September 26, 2014

The FBI director criticized Apple and Google Thursday for adopting new policies that will block police from accessing private data on phones and tablet computers.  An FBI spokesman confirmed that Director James Comey told reporters he is "very concerned" that the new features could thwart critical police investigations...

Read More »

3 NSA Veterans Speak Out On Whistle-Blower: We Told You So

Peter Eisler and Susan Page | USA Today | June 16, 2012

In a roundtable discussion, a trio of former National Security Agency whistle-blowers tell USA TODAY that Edward Snowden succeeded where they failed. Read More »

3 Things You Can Do to End Police Killings and Fix the Criminal Justice System

Matthew Cooke | Huffington Post | December 10, 2014

The reality is this: As an American you're way more likely to be shot by a police officer or arrested on false charges than you are to be attacked by a terrorist or contract ebola. And if you're black or brown, the chances increase exponentially. So it's good we're talking about issues that really affect us -- and not just distracted by the standard fare that sells commercial advertising on the 24-hour news cycle.

Read More »

A Refresher: Warrantless Spying Was Blatantly Illegal

Conor Friedersdorf | The Atlantic | May 14, 2014

Frontline's new documentary about NSA spying is an important reminder of how Bush officials violated the Constitution...

Read More »

Aaron Swartz's Work, Computer Crime Law, And "The Internet's Own Boy"

April Glaser | Electronic Frontier Foundation | August 27, 2014

It’s been more than a year since Aaron Swartz’s tragic death, and now Aaron’s life is the subject of a new documentary, The Internet’s Own Boy, directed by Brian Knappenberger. The documentary has received much acclaim and deservedly so...

Read More »

ANALYSIS: Happy Data Privacy Day, Punk!

Kurt Mackie | RedmondMag.com | January 27, 2012

Data Privacy Day starts on January 28, but the parties behind it might not be its best advocates, nor even take the concept seriously. Read More »

Apple, Facebook, Others Defy Authorities, Notify Users Of Secret Data Demands

Craig Timberg | The Washington Post | May 1, 2014

Major U.S. technology companies have largely ended the practice of quietly complying with investigators’ demands for e-mail records and other online data, saying that users have a right to know in advance when their information is targeted for government seizure.  

Read More »

Apple’s CareKit Is the Best Argument Yet for Strong Encryption

Brian Barrett | Wired | March 21, 2016

On the eve of his company’s court date with the FBI, where it will defend its right to not weaken the security of its own devices, Apple CEO Tim Cook took the stage at a small theater in Cupertino to introduce a few new devices. The message of the event’s opening, though? Encryption matters. And soon, on iOS, it will matter even more. While Cook’s remarks were brief, they were determined. “We need to decide as a nation how much power the government should have over our data, and over our privacy,” Cook said before a mixed crowd of journalists and Apple employees.

Read More »

Big Cyber Hack Of Health Records Is 'Only A Matter Of Time'

David Pittman | Politico Pro | July 1, 2014

The health world is flirting with disaster, say the experts who monitor crime in cyberspace. A hack that exposes the medical and financial records of tens of thousands of patients is coming, they say — it’s only a matter of when...

Read More »

Cyber Threats To Healthcare Systems, Medical Devices Rising

Greg Slabodkin | Health Data Management | April 23, 2014

Compared to other industries, healthcare is particularly vulnerable to cyber attacks with the threats to health information continuing to mount as the industry moves to adopt electronic health records. Earlier this month, the FBI's Cyber Division issued a notice warning that healthcare systems and medical devices are at risk for increased cyber intrusions for financial gain.

Read More »

Data Is a Toxic Asset, So Why Not Throw It Out?

Bruce Schneier | CNN | March 1, 2016

Thefts of personal information aren't unusual. Every week, thieves break into networks and steal data about people, often tens of millions at a time. Most of the time it's information that's needed to commit fraud, as happened in 2015 to Experian and the IRS. Sometimes it's stolen for purposes of embarrassment or coercion, as in the 2015 cases of Ashley Madison and the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. The latter exposed highly sensitive personal data that affects security of millions of government employees, probably to the Chinese...

Read More »

Did You Know John Roberts Is Also Chief Justice Of The NSA’s Surveillance State?

Ezra Klein | Washington Post | July 5, 2013

The 11 FISA judges, chosen from throughout the federal bench for seven-year terms, are all appointed by the chief justice. In fact, every FISA judge currently serving was appointed by Roberts, who will continue making such appointments until he retires or dies. FISA judges don’t need confirmation — by Congress or anyone else... Read More »

Do You Want The Government Buying Your Data From Corporations?

Bruce Schneier | The Atlantic | April 30, 2013

A new bill moving through Congress would give the authorities unprecedented access to citizens' information. Read More »

EFF Sues FBI For Access To Facial-Recognition Records

Press Release | Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) | June 26, 2013

As the FBI is rushing to build a "bigger, faster and better" biometrics database, it's also dragging its feet in releasing information related to the program's impact on the American public. Read More »