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Daily Archives: July 12, 2022

In a Post-Roe World, the Future of Digital Privacy Looks Even Grimmer

The New York Times – “The sheer amount of tech tools and knowledge required to discreetly seek an abortion underlines how wide open we are to surveillance….In states that have banned abortion, some women seeking out-of-state options to terminate pregnancies may end up following a long list of steps to try to shirk surveillance — like connecting to the internet through an encrypted tunnel and using burner email addresses — and reduce the likelihood of prosecution. Even so, they could still be tracked. Law enforcement agencies can obtain court orders for access to detailed information, including location data logged by phone networks. And many police departments have their own surveillance technologies, like license plate readers. That makes privacy-enhancing tools for consumers seem about as effective as rearranging the furniture in a room with no window drapes.“There’s no perfect solution,” said Sinan Eren, an executive at Barracuda, a security firm. “Your telecom network is your weakest link.” In other words, the state of digital privacy is already so far gone that forgoing the use of digital tools altogether may be the only way to keep information secure, security researchers said. Leaving mobile phones at home would help evade the persistent location tracking deployed by wireless carriers. Payments for prescription drugs and health services would ideally be made in cash. For travel, public transportation like a bus or a train would be more discreet than ride-hailing apps. Reproductive privacy has become so fraught that government officials and lawmakers are rushing to introduce new policies and bills to safeguard Americans’ data…”

UMD Report: Conspiracy Theories Fueled More Terror Attacks in 2020

START via MarylandToday website: “In the early hours of Christmas Day 2020, an RV pulled up outside an AT&T network facility in historic Nashville. It broadcast, via speaker, recorded warnings that ranged from the literal to the confusing: gunshots, a female voice demanding evacuation, portions of Petula Clark’s song “Downtown.” Then the vehicle detonated in… Continue Reading

Feds may expand 2nd boosters to all adults as anxiety surges over BA.5 wave

Ars Technica: “The swift rise of omicron subvariant BA.5—with its increased immune-evading abilities and demonstrable growth advantage—has federal officials on edge. In a flurry of activity late Monday and early Tuesday, officials doubled down on pandemic measures, renewed calls for vigilance, and are considering expanding eligibility of second boosters to all adults. In a press… Continue Reading

LC – Upcoming US Law Webinars – August 2022

In Custodia Legis: July 12, 2022 by Anna Price – “Each August, the House and Senate take a summer recess from Washington, D.C., during which they spend time in their respective legislative districts. While the legislators are working away from Capitol Hill, the Law Library of Congress will continue responding to reference inquiries and presenting… Continue Reading

Instructables

“Yours for the making. Instructables is a community for people who like to make things. Come explore, share, and make your next project with us. We make it easy to learn how to make anything, one step at a time. From the stovetop to the workshop, you are sure to be inspired by the awesome… Continue Reading

Friends enjoy being reached out to more than we think

The Surprise of Reaching Out: Appreciated More than We Think, by Peggy Liu, PhD, University of Pittsburgh; SoYon Rim, PhD, William Patterson University; Lauren Min, PhD, University of Kansas; and Kate Min, PhD, Wheaton College. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, published online July 11, 2022. “People are fundamentally social beings and enjoy connecting with… Continue Reading

Webb Space Telescope First Image Gallery

“About the Telescope – The James Webb Space Telescope is the world’s premier infrared space observatory of the next decade. Orbiting far beyond Earth’s moon, Webb’s sensitive instruments will detect infrared radiation from Solar System planets, exoplanets, stars, nebulae, and galaxies. These observations will help us to better understand the early universe, how galaxies and… Continue Reading

Federal Bureau of Investigation Crime Data Explorer

FBI Crime Data Explorer: “The FBI’s Crime Data Explorer (CDE) aims to provide transparency, create easier access, and expand awareness of criminal, and noncriminal, law enforcement data sharing; improve accountability for law enforcement; and provide a foundation to help shape public policy with the result of a safer nation. Use the CDE to discover available… Continue Reading

The Best Places to Work in the Federal Government

The 2021 Best Places to Work in the Federal Government® employee engagement and satisfaction “score is 64.5 out of 100, representing a 4.5-point decrease from 2020 in how our nation’s civil servants view their agencies and jobs.  This significant downturn in job and organizational engagement and satisfaction came as the COVID-19 pandemic continued to disrupt… Continue Reading