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EFFector - Volume 28, Issue 2 - Don't let Congress vote against the Constitution

EFFECTOR

EFFector - Volume 28, Issue 2 - Don't let Congress vote against the Constitution

 
 
EFFector! Electronic Frontier Foundation
 
 

In our 673rd issue:

Tell Congress: My Phone Calls are My Business. Reform the NSA.

The Patriot Act granted the government powerful new spying capabilities that have grown out of control—but the provision that the FBI and NSA have been using to collect the phone records of millions of innocent people expires in June. Tell Congress: it's time to rethink out-of-control spying. A vote to reauthorize Section 215 is a vote against the Constitution.

Jailbreaking Is Not A Crime

Millions of people jailbreak the phones and tablets they own, in order to run the software they want on their own terms. Whether it's to cut out annoying bloatware, install the latest security fixes, change the home screen, or just to use their device in a way the manufacturer hasn't considered, jailbreaking is an important part of how we interact with our technology. But the Copyright Office and Librarian of Congress could cast the future of jailbreaking into jeopardy in just a few short months. Speak out today to make sure that doesn't happen.

EFF Updates

EFF's Game Plan for Ending Global Mass Surveillance

For years, we've been working on a strategy to end mass surveillance of digital communications of innocent people worldwide. Now we're laying out the plan, so you can understand how all the pieces fit together--how U.S. advocacy and policy efforts connect to the international fight and vice versa.

EFF Wins Battle Over Secret Legal Opinions on Government Spying

We got news Thursday that we've won our four-year Freedom of Information Act lawsuit over secret legal interpretations of a controversial section of the Patriot Act, including legal analysis of law enforcement and intelligence agency access to census records.

Cory Doctorow Rejoins EFF to Eradicate DRM Everywhere

Leading digital rights champion and author Cory Doctorow has rejoined our ranks to battle the pervasive use of dangerous digital rights management technologies that threaten users' security and privacy, distort markets, confiscate public rights, and undermine innovation.

Peer Pressure: Making Sure the Snoopers' Charter Doesn't Come Back

Late last week, a group of four peers on Britain's House of Lords attempted to insert the entirety of the "Snoopers' Charter"--the Internet surveillance bill that was savaged by a Parliamentary overview, and abandoned by the UK's current coalition government--into a new counter-terrorism bill. We were able to make enough noise to take it off the table, but we need to take long-term steps to keep it from coming back.

SAVE Act Passes in House, Comes One Step Closer to Unnecessarily Chilling Online Speech

For the second year in a row, the House of Representatives has passed the Stop Advertising Victims of Exploitation Act, a bill aimed at curbing the serious problem of sex trafficking online. The bill, however, is the same as it was last year--and it's similarly problematic. EFF and a coalition of free speech and privacy groups have released a letter condemning overly broad bills that could chill lawful communications online.

Digital Consumers Gain Ground at the United Nations

With your support, EFF has helped raise the bar in ongoing discussions about how to better protect users against the abuse of their rights through DRM. Our submission to the United Nations pointed out that the then-current draft text for a revised set of Guidelines for Consumer Protection completely failed to deal with the problems that DRM causes consumers of digital products and services.

miniLinks

Copyright Week 2015

We've wrapped up another successful Copyright Week, with articles and actions going up around the Web supporting a set common-sense principles that should underpin sound copyright policy.

WIRED: "No, Department of Justice, 80 Percent of Tor Traffic Is Not Child Porn"

The Department of Justice continues to spread falsehood and misleading statements about Tor usage. Andy Greenberg, the author of an article they've cited to support those untruths, responds to set the record straight.

Public Knowledge, iFixit, and EFF Answer Questions on DRM and the DMCA

We participated in a public Q&A through Reddit's popular AMA (Ask Me Anything) forum. These questions and answers should give you an inside look at what we're working on as we continue with the DMCA rulemaking process.

Supported by Members

Our members make it possible for EFF to bring legal and technological expertise into crucial battles about online rights. Whether defending free speech online or challenging unconstitutional surveillance, your participation makes a difference. Every donation gives technology users who value freedom online a stronger voice and more formidable advocate.

Please consider becoming an EFF member today.

Donate Today

Administrivia

Editor: Parker Higgins, Activist
editor@eff.org

EFFector is a publication of the Electronic Frontier Foundation.
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General EFF, legal, policy, or online resources queries: info@eff.org

Reproduction of this publication in electronic media is encouraged. MiniLinks do not necessarily represent the views of EFF.

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Announcements

Got an Outrageous Public Records Story? Send Your Nominations for “The Foilies”

For Sunshine Week this year, EFF staff will select the cream of the crop (or maybe the bottom of the barrel) of the most compelling stories of FOIA and public records shenanigans. If you've ever enjoyed prying records out of unwilling government hands--or know somebody who has--make a nomination today.

Download the EFF Mobile App

 

Dear smartphone users: great news. We've launched our first-ever EFF mobile app. This app will tell you when there are breaking issues related to digital rights that need your help. You'll get a quick notification and be able to one-click connect to the EFF action center to speak out and help us fight for freedom online.

Sadly, though, we have to leave out the iPhone users. We simply could not agree to the outrageous terms of the Apple Developer Agreement required to get into the iOS App Store.

 

EFF Is Hiring

We've currently got a number of great job openings available: Latin American Community Development Coordinator, Legal Fellow, Front-End Web Developer / Designer, Web Developer, and Staff Technologist or Senior Staff Technologist. If you might be the person for the job--or know somebody else who might--check out the listings and apply.

Current Issues in Cell Phone Surveillance

EFF Senior Staff Attorney Hanni Fakhoury will discuss legal challenges to cell phone surveillance at the California Attorneys for Criminal Justice and California Public Defender's Association annual Capital Case Defense Seminar.
February 13, 2015
Monterey, CA

EFF at SCALE 13x - Southern California Linux Expo

Join EFF at the premier Free and Open Source Software conference in Southern California! Stop by our booth in the expo to learn about the latest in the online freedom movement. You can even donate to get some great swag or become an official member at special reduced levels.
February 19-22, 2015
Los Angeles, CA

LibrePlanet 2015

The Free Software Foundation's LibrePlanet is an annual conference for free software enthusiasts. LibrePlanet brings together software developers, policy experts, activists, and computer users to learn skills, share accomplishments and face challenges to software freedom.
March 21-22, 2015
Cambridge, MA

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