In our 691st issue:

• UPDATES
• MINILINKS
• ANNOUNCEMENTS

House Holds Closed Hearing on Section 702 Surveillance, Rejecting Calls for Transparency

Our elected representatives are once again cutting out the public from an important debate over mass surveillance. The House Judiciary Committee held a "members only" meeting today to discuss Section 702 of the FISA Amendment Acts, the law on which the NSA relies to operate its notorious PRISM surveillance program and to tap into the backbone of the Internet. Last week, EFF joined two dozen civil liberties, human rights, and transparency organizations, demanding in writing that leaders of the House Judiciary Committee open the hearing, at least in part, to the public. Instead, the committee heard today only from a panel of intelligence officials drawn from the NSA, FBI, DOJ, and ODNI who released a 12-page unclassified statement.

EFF Updates

Data Privacy Day: Take Charge of Your Family’s Privacy

Data Privacy Day, dedicated to promoting and raising awareness of privacy and data protection around the globe, was Thursday, January 28. Commemorating the 35th anniversary of the first legally binding international treaty dealing with privacy and data protection, it offered a great excuse to take charge of not only your own privacy, but also the privacy of any school children in your life.

Hacking the Patent System: Improved, Expanded Guide to Patent Licensing Alternatives

We're pleased to announce the 2016 edition of Hacking the Patent System, a guide to alternative patent licensing produced by the Juelsgaard Intellectual Property & Innovation Clinic at Stanford Law School in partnership with EFF and Engine. First published in 2014, the guide provides an overview of several tools that inventors and innovators could use to avert unnecessary and costly patent litigation while we continue to push for reforms to make the patent system into the engine of innovation that it should be.

"No Cost" License Plate Readers Are Turning Texas Police into Mobile Debt Collectors and Data Miners

Vigilant Solutions, one of the country's largest brokers of vehicle surveillance technology, is offering a hell of a deal to law enforcement agencies in Texas: a whole suite of automated license plate reader (ALPR) equipment and access to the company's databases and analytical tools—and it won't cost the agency a dime. Instead of paying for ALPR gear themselves, Texas police fund it by gouging people who have outstanding court fines and handing Vigilant all of the data they gather on drivers for nearly unlimited commercial use.

The Commerce Department Has Good Recommendations For Fixing Copyright Law—But More is Needed

The U.S. Commerce Department released its long-awaited White Paper on fixes to copyright law last week and it's a mixed bag. It includes some good recommendations on how Congress should change the law, but punts on some crucial enduring problems. While the department's recommendations include welcome ideas on how to protect artists and innovators in digital media from unnecessary risks, they don’t go far enough.

miniLinks

White House denies clearance to tech researcher with links to Snowden

The White House denied a security clearance to a Pulitzer prize-winning journalist and recent FTC staffer who previously helped report on the Snowden revelations. While the reasons have not been disclosed, Ashkan Soltani's departure raises important questions about the U.S. government’s ability to partner with the broader tech community.

Some presidential candidates want the encryption debate resolved behind closed doors

Some 2016 presidential candidates are really not in the mood to speak publicly about technology that affects virtually every American's privacy. Candidates in both parties, aware that there is no clear-cut encryption solution in which they will emerge as terrorist-fighting heroes, would prefer to keep their plans on this vital issue secret.

Ban internet anonymity – says US Homeland Security official

Internet anonymity should be banned and everyone required to carry the equivalent of a license plate when driving around online. That's according to Erik Barnett, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's attache to the European Union. Writing in French policy magazine FIC Observatoire, Barnett somewhat predictably relies on the existence of child abuse images to explain why everyone in the world should be easily monitored.

Supported by Donors

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.

If you aren't already, please consider becoming an EFF member today.

Donate Today

Administrivia

Editor: Shahid Buttar, Director of Grassroots Advocacy
editor@eff.org

EFFector is a publication of the Electronic Frontier Foundation.
eff.org

Membership & donation queries: membership@eff.org

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.

Back issues of EFFector

This newsletter is printed from 100% recycled electrons.

EFF appreciates your support and respects your privacy. Privacy Policy.