EFFector Vol. 22, No. 24 August 28, 2009 editor@eff.org
A Publication of the Electronic Frontier Foundation ISSN 1062-9424
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In our 516th issue:
* CHICAGO DEVELOPMENT CRITICS FIGHT FOR ANONIMITY. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has asked an Illinois Circuit Court judge to quash subpoenas aimed at outing opponents of a controversial city project. In December, local residents filed a lawsuit in state court against the city of Chicago and local developers, challenging the legality of a development project in the city’s Uptown neighborhood.
In response, the “Wilson Yard Defendants,” six lawfirms associated with Chicago developer Peter Holsten, issued subpoenas directing Google and a local neighborhood association to unmask anonymous online critics who had discussed either the project or Alderman Helen Shiller, the primary governmental sponsor of the project.
For the full press release:
https://www.eff.org/press/archives/2009/08/21
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EFF Updates
* The New York Times on Government Website Privacy Tuesday’s New York Times includes its editorial board’s take on revising the federal government’s web tracking policy. The recommendations align closely with those we made in coordination with the Center for Democracy and Technology earlier this month.
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2009/08/new-york-times-government-website-privacy
* Op-Ed on Lawless Surveillance by Cindy Cohn EFF Legal Director Cindy Cohn’s opinion piece, currently posted on the blog of the American Constitution Society, points out that the Obama Administration has embraced two of the most radical positions taken by the Bush Administration — that the Executive Branch need not follow the law and that the courts should not be allowed to review the core constitutional questions that the Executive Branch wants hidden.
For the opinion piece:
http://www.acslaw.org/node/13922
For the Deep Link:
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2009/08/op-ed-lawless-surveillance
* Stomping Grapes for EFF in Indiana
Mike Wigren of WKID-FM Froggery Radio in Vevay, Indiana, has selected EFF as his beneficiary charity should he be one of the Top 3 winning Media Celebrity Grape Stompers at the 38th Swiss Wine Festival being held this weekend (August 27-30). Thanks, Mike, and good luck!
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2009/08/stomping-grapes-eff-indiana
* PASS ID: REAL ID Reanimated
In February, opponents of REAL ID were given a bit of hope when Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said that she wanted to repeal the REAL ID Act, the federal government’s failed plan to impose a national identification card through state driver’s licenses. But what has taken place since is no return to sanity, as political machinations have produced a cosmetic makeover called “PASS ID” that has revived the push for a national identification card.
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2009/08/pass-id-real-id-reanimated
* Warrants Required: EFF’s Big Disagreement with Google About Google Book Search Is Google’s exciting new digital library/bookstore going to maintain the strong protections for reader privacy that traditional libraries and bookstores have fought for and largely won? Despite significant efforts by EFF and our partners to get Google to provide these privacy protections in Google Book Search, it looks like we’ll be asking the court to intervene.
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2009/08/warrants-required-big-disagreement-google-book-search
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miniLinks
~ Facebook Bows to Canadian Privacy Concerns The social networking giant promises to fine tune privacy controls and allow users to see when third party apps are requesting private data.
Facebook Bows to Canadian Privacy Concerns, Will Change The Way All Apps Access Social Data
~ Court Orders Google to Unmask Blogger
The blogger, who was identified for calling a model a “skank,” has promised to sue Google.
~ Apple Rejects Google Voice App
Was the Google Voice app rejected because it altered “the iPhone’s distinctive user experience,” or because it competes with Apple’s preferred carrier company?
http://www.informationweek.com/news/personal_tech/iphone/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=219401091
~ Wired Journalist Tries to Disappear
Evan Ratliff is testing his privacy to see if he can remain hidden while continuing to use the Internet.
http://www.wired.com/vanish/
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Announcements
* Help the EFF Technologists!
EFF is doing some research on the Amazon Kindle e-book reader. If you can donate a Kindle 2 or a Kindle DX to EFF, please contact kindle@eff.org. We can provide you with a receipt for tax purposes and our heartfelt gratitude.
* Help EFF Go to Ohio LinuxFest!
EFF is looking for donations of airline tickets and hotel points for Ohio LinuxFest in Columbus, as well as other conferences and speaking engagements. If you have enough airline miles for a free ticket and would like to send an EFF staffer to a conference, let us know, and we will help you with the process of making the reservation. Please note that at this time we are unable to combine miles from multiple individuals or airlines. We are also looking for hotel rewards points to help reduce our overall travel costs.
As thanks for your donation, we can offer a free membership and a mention in EFFector (if you’d like). Please contact aaron@eff.org if you can help!
* Attend the SC World Congress!
SC World Congress Discounts for EFFector Readers!
Visit the EFF booth at the second annual SC World Congress – Enterprise Data Security Conference, October 13-14 in New York City.
The Congress features a comprehensive program presented in four tracks
– including the unique Editors Choice sessions – and the industry’s largest fall product expo showcasing IT security solutions from leading vendors and hot startups. EFF members receive a $100 discount on conference fees by registering with the promotional code EFF. No code is required for free exhibits admission. http://www.scworldcongress.com
* O’Reilly/Techweb Discounts for EFFector Readers!
Our friends at O’Reilly Media and TechWeb are offering discounts to the EFF community at two new events in the Gov 2.0 landscape in September. Both events will be held in Washington, DC.
Gov 2.0 Summit (www.gov2summit), an invitation-only, high-level dialogue between senior-level public and private sector leadership, takes place September 9-10. For more information and to bypass the standard invitation process, check out:
https://en.oreilly.com/gov2009/public/register
Save 30% on registration with code gvt09eff.
Gov 2.0 Expo Showcase (gov2expo.com) takes place September 8 and features 25 rapid-fire presentations of innovative Gov 2.0 projects happening right now. For more information and to register:
https://en.oreilly.com/gov2expo2009/public/register
Save 30% with code gxp09eff.
* Volunteer at EFF!
EFF is looking for volunteers to assist with operations in our membership department. If you’re organized, detail-oriented, and looking for a hands-on way to support EFF, contact us today!
Duties include:
* Sending out membership packets
* Organizing premiums
* Printing mailings
* Assisting with event
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
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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
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information@eff.org
Back issues of EFFector are available at:
http://www.eff.org/effector/
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