EFFector Vol. 22, No. 22 August 3, 2009 editor@eff.org A Publication of the Electronic Frontier Foundation ISSN 1062-9424 : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : In our 514th issue: EFF Updates * Don't Let Google Close the Book on Reader Privacy! EFF has written a letter to Google CEO Eric Schmidt, demanding that Google take specific steps to protect your freedom to read privately. We've asked that Google only respond to legitimate warrants when the government comes calling and we've asked that they not share your private reading data with third parties without your permission. https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2009/07/take-action-dont-let-google * Farhad Manjoo on the Future of Book Banning Farhad Manjoo at Slate has written the best summation to date on Amazon's 1984 Scandal, in which digital versions of the Orwell classic were surreptitiously removed from users' Kindles without their permission. Amazon has apologized and promised never to delete books in this fashion in the future. But Manjoo points out that the real lesson here is that the power to delete digital books remotely exists in the first place https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2009/07/future-book-banning * The Book vs. The Kindle San Francisco bookstore Green Apple Books has put together a series of humorous videos that point up the advantages of paper books over Amazon's Kindle e-book reader. We hope that bookstores will take the lead in ensuring that digital books give readers the same or better rights and freedoms that we enjoy with paper books. https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2009/07/book-vs-kindle * EFF Releases Interim Report on the Automated Targeting System EFF today released an interim report on the Automated Targeting System(ATS) through which the Department of Homeland Security monitors and assigns risk assessment scores to Americans and others who cross into or out of the United States. The data reviewed under the ATS system includes seven large government databases, plus the Passenger Name Record data from the airlines (which includes data like whether you've ordered a Muslim or Hindu or Jewish special meal). Effectively, if you travel internationally, ATS creates an instant, personal and detailed dossier on you that CBP officers use to decide whether you get to enter the country, or will be subject to an enhanced (and potentially invasive) search. EFF's report details what we've learned about the ATS program from the over 2,000 pages released by the government so far. We note that because of government's very heavy redacting and refusal to release key information Americans remain in dark about how this powerful system is used on travelers. https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2009/07/eff-releases-interim : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : miniLinks ~ Can You Protect Your Privacy on Facebook? The NY Times Gadgetwise blog says the best way to protect your privacy and the privacy of your friends on Facebook is to avoid those spammy third-party apps. http://gadgetwise.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/24/can-you-protect-your-image-while-on-facebook/ ~ Cindy Cohn on Google Books An interview with EFF's Legal Director about Google Books and Privacy. http://www.freepress.net/node/71144 ~ The Kindle Ate My Homework A class action lawsuit against Amazon is being led by a high school student whose margin notes were deleted when Amazon surreptitiously deleted digital copies of Orwell's book from users' Kindles. http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/2452087/ ~ Apple Says Sky Will Fall If iPhone Jailbreaking Is Legal Apple has a new reason why jailbreaking iPhones should not be allowed, and (don't laugh) it has to do with national security. http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2009/07/jailbreak/ : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : Announcements * Help the EFF Technologists! EFF is doing some research on the Amazon Kindle e-book reader. If you have a Kindle 2 or a Kindle DX that you can donate to EFF, please contact kindle@eff.org. * Intern Opportunity! EFF is looking for a summer intern to help in our development and media departments. This is an unpaid, full-time position. Projects will include: -Working on our annual report and contacting major donors and foundations (40% of time); -Assisting with membership fulfillment and bulk mailing (40% of time); and -Identifying and organizing press clippings (20% of time). Excellent writing and editing skills, strong organizational abilities, and the capacity to take instruction and run with it is a must. Interest in development and/or public relations as a career is a plus, as is knowledge and familiarity with EFF's issues. To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to: alyssa@eff.org * Volunteer at EFF! EFF is looking for volunteers to assist with operations in our membership department. If you're quick, organized, detail-oriented, and looking for a hands-on way to support EFF, contact us today! Duties include: * Membership fulfillment * Organizing premiums * Print mailing * Event assistance Learn about fundraising operations in the nonprofit world while supporting your favorite organization in a tangible way! Interest in grassroots fundraising is a plus, as is knowledge and familiarity with EFF's issues. Send a letter of interest to aaron@eff.org * Nominate a Pioneer for EFF's 2009 Pioneer Awards! EFF established the Pioneer Awards to recognize leaders on the electronic frontier who are extending freedom and innovation in the realm of information technology. This is your opportunity to nominate a deserving individual or group to receive a Pioneer Award for 2009. The International Pioneer Awards nominations are open both to individuals and organizations from any country. Nominations are reviewed by a panel of judges chosen for their knowledge of the technical, legal, and social issues associated with information technology. How to Nominate Someone for a 2009 Pioneer Award: You may send as many nominations as you wish, but please use one email per nomination. Please submit your entries via email to pioneer@eff.org. We will accept nominations until August 17, 2009. Simply tell us: 1. The name of the nominee, 2. The phone number, email address or website by which the nominee can be reached, and, most importantly, 3. Why you feel the nominee deserves the award. Nominee Criteria: There are no specific categories for the EFF Pioneer Awards, but the following guidelines apply: 1. The nominees must have contributed substantially to the health, growth, accessibility, or freedom of computer-based communications. 2. To be valid, all nominations must contain your reason, however brief, for nominating the individual or organization and a means of contacting the nominee. In addition, while anonymous nominations will be accepted, ideally we'd like to contact the nominating parties in case we need further information. 3. The contribution may be technical, social, economic, or cultural. 4. Nominations may be of individuals, systems, or organizations in the private or public sectors. 5. Nominations are open to all (other than current members of EFF's staff and operating board or this year's award judges), and you may nominate more than one recipient. You may also nominate yourself or your organization. 6. Persons or representatives of organizations receiving an EFF Pioneer Award will be invited to attend the ceremony at EFF's expense. More on the EFF Pioneer Awards: http://www.eff.org/awards/pioneer/ : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : . : Administrivia EFFector is published by: The Electronic Frontier Foundation http://www.eff.org/about Editor: Eva Galperin, Referral Coordinator eva@eff.org Membership & donation queries: membership@eff.org To support EFF: http://links.eff.org/emaildonate General EFF, legal, policy, or online resources queries: information@eff.org Back issues of EFFector are available at: http://www.eff.org/effector/
