If you are not listening to the
@pdefenselesspod.bsky.social podcast you are missing out, and not just because this time he is discussing “Your Data Will Be Used Against You.” #BookSky #PublicDefense #Law
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/p...
It was a pleasure speaking with @jjlee.bsky.social about my work and the work of The Legal Aid Society's Digital Forensics Unit for the recent issue of Extremely Online. extremely-online.ghost.io/extremely-on...
Here's a full write-up on the judge tossing out Columbia's unprecedentedly harsh disciplinary actions against students accused of occupying Hamilton Hall in 2024:
hellgatenyc.com/columbia-exp...
I want to believe that the smartest, most capable people are defending us all from legit threats.
But how can you trust someone with subpoena power, or access to surveillance, or the authority to yell commands, or hell — even carry a Glock 19M Gen 5 9mm — if they're this dense? Or dishonest?
This is actual sworn testimony from a current FBI agent — who is the lead investigator in an ongoing trial about... you guessed it... protesters.
March Decrypting a Defense issue is out now. Laura discusses the NYPD's use of sock puppet accounts. Christine examines Ring's Search Party feature and mission creep. Joel analyzes an ID decision, involving a possible facial recognition match. Last, Lisa reviews electronic ankle monitor records.
Trying this out after the nth person asked if I had a newsletter. Will post original content, upcoming events, job postings and more in tech and AI accountability. Subscribe and let me know if you have any feedback!
Trump backed off calling Renee Good & Alex Pretti domestic terrorists because people didn't like it. But as I wrote, the admin is still doubling down on the use of domestic terrorism investigations to scare Americans away from using their First Amendment rights. www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
Ring has announced a new “Search Party” feature that could eventually bring mass biometric surveillance to our streets. It’s on by default. Shut it off.
www.eff.org/deeplinks/2...
A letter to the director of the CIA from Senator Ron Wyden saying he has sent a classified letter that expressed concerns.
This is how Sen. Ron Wyden clues the public into activity that he finds extremely alarming. He does a press release about a letter he sent to the director of the CIA that basically says, 'I want to make sure you saw the classified letter I sent early today.' www.wyden.senate.gov/imo/media/do...
February Decrypting a Defense Newsletter. Greg discusses federal watchlists tracking protesters. @shaneferro.bsky.social criticizes an attempt to ban ghost guns and digital blueprints. @diz.bsky.social analyzes an automated license plate readers decision. Chris explains file signatures and carving.
I wrote section 230 to protect user speech, not a company's own speech. I've long said AI chatbot outputs are not protected by 230 and that it is not a close call. Given that the Trump administration is going to the mat to protect pedophiles, states should step in to hold Musk and X accountable.
New Decrypting a Defense issue. Jon discusses body-worn cameras and real-time facial recognition. Max covers the White House's Executive Order on AI. Joel examines the law as it applies to unpreserved police surveillance video. Finally, I give the 2nd annual State of the Surveillance State Address.
The New York Police Department's “mosque-raking” program targeted Muslim communities across NYC. Now, as the city's first Muslim mayor takes office, one man is fighting—again—to fully expose it. www.wired.com/story/nypd-s...
I made an advent calendar of one thing you can do every day to improve your digital security and become more informed (ie paranoid).
New Decrypting a Defense issue. Greg discusses an infiltration by police into an activist Signal group. @diz.bsky.social provides the 1st DFU advent calendar. Laura celebrates a NYC bill to improve FOIL responses. Christine answers a question about facial recognition and holiday travelers.
“Prosecutors think they’ve found a constitutional loophole — if you can’t punish reporting it, punish transporting it.”
We wrote for @theintercept.com about how efforts to criminalize possession of words threaten press freedom.
I critique software I use because I wish it were better, not because I think it's bad.
As a bookstore that sells pamphlets and magazines, the criminalization of such materials feels pretty close to home. So let's take a closer look at the materials the federal government is claiming tie readers to "antifa terrorism." We can pick out six titles in these grainy photos. 1/
Hey, Minnesota, Louisiana, and South Dakota! Have you caught us in the wild yet?
Despite what lawmakers in your states say about abortion or their efforts to block abortion access, you DO have rights!
Tag us in any pics you take with our billboards and let the world know that you know you best!
Check out @privacyguides.org primer on why everyone benefits from using Tor. www.privacyguides.org/videos/2025/...
Analysis by @amnestyuk.bsky.social and S.T.O.P. of the over 2,700 documents to date reveals that facial recognition technologies (FRT) were used on several occasions by the NYPD, subjecting New Yorkers to invasive, flawed, and deeply discriminatory surveillance technologies. #BanTheScan
BREAKING: Amnesty International, S.T.O.P. Lawsuit Reveals NYPD Surveillance Abuses #BanTheScan @amnestyuk.bsky.social
"New York promises to be a sanctuary city, but we’ve created nothing short of a surveillance state." - S.T.O.P. Executive Director Michelle Dahl
www.stopspying.org/latest-news/...
Former FTC chair Lina Khan was just named to NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani's transition team—just one sign that his new administration will take tech matters seriously, writes Rebecca Williams. She offers a tech agenda for the new mayor to advance his campaign goals:
New Decrypting a Defense Newsletter issue. Jon explains the growing backlash to Flock ALPR. Joel discusses a recent lawsuit brought by @stopspyingny.bsky.social against the NYPD. I review two court decisions about CSAM investigations. Allison answers a question about finding a witness' social media.
New Decrypting a Defense issue. Greg discusses ICE's increased surveillance capabilities. Joel reviews a recent investigation into a SIM card farm. Laura recaps the takeaways from the NYC Council hearing on NYCHA surveillance and Brandon answers a question on extracting data from a broken phone.
Over a few months, a person driving around *one* town wracked up 526 location datapoints. We know that number because police were surveilling this person--but you can be assured the geolocation data you're leaving behind is similar and just sitting on a server somewhere. ALPRs are mass surveillance.
