-------- Forwarded Message -------- Subject: EFF's new report takes on surveillance in Latin America | EFFector 29.21 Date: Thu, 20 Oct 2016 16:27:54 -0700 From: EFFector List <[email protected]> Reply-To: EFFector List <[email protected]> To: Matías Croce <[email protected]> View as a web page <https://supporters.eff.org/civicrm/mailing/view?reset=1&id=1814> EFFector! <https://supporters.eff.org/civicrm/mailing/view?reset=1&id=1814> Electronic Frontier Foundation <https://www.eff.org/> In our 708th issue: * UPDATES <#Updates> * MINILINKS <#minilinks> * ANNOUNCEMENTS <#announcements> Unblinking Eyes: The State of Communications Surveillance in Latin America <https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2016/10/unblinking-eyes-latinamerica-surveillance> We’re proud to announce the release of “Unblinking Eyes: The State of Communications Surveillance in Latin America <https://necessaryandproportionate.org/americas-reports>,” a project in collaboration with partner organizations across the region to document and analyze surveillance laws and practices in twelve countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Peru, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Our reports, in both English and Spanish, show the need for comprehensive legal reform across Latin America to protect users from unlawful government surveillance. While every Latin American constitution we investigated recognizes a right to privacy and data protection, most countries do not implement those rights in a way that fully complies with international human rights standards. Overall, secrecy surrounding tactics and prevalence of surveillance is widespread in Latin America, and many countries have yet to develop a culture of transparency reporting by communications providers. In addition to individual country reports from our international partners, EFF has produced a broader comparative report <https://necessaryandproportionate.org/comparative-analysis-surveillance-laws-and-practices-latin-america> comparing laws and practices across countries, a legal analysis <https://necessaryandproportionate.org/americas-legal-analysis> of the 13 Necessary and Proportionate Principles, and an interactive map <https://necessaryandproportionate.org/americas-reports/who-can-spy-on-us> summarizing our findings. EFF Updates Where WhatsApp Went Wrong: EFF's Four Biggest Security Concerns <https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2016/10/where-whatsapp-went-wrong-effs-four-biggest-security-concerns> After careful consideration, we have decided to add additional warnings and caveats about using WhatsApp to our Surveillance Self Defense guide. It is getting harder and harder to explain WhatsApp’s security pitfalls in a way that is clear, understandable, and actionable for users. This is especially true since WhatsApp’s announcement that it would be changing its user agreement regarding data sharing with the rest of Facebook’s services. Patent Forum Shopping Must End <https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2016/10/patent-forum-shopping-must-end> Forum shopping is rampant in patent litigation. Last year, almost 45 percent of all patent cases were heard in the Eastern District of Texas, a sparsely populated region. EFF, along with Public Knowledge, has filed an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to hear a case that could end forum shopping in patent cases. EFF Goes to Washington to Fight Against the Changes to Rule 41 <https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2016/10/eff-goes-washington-fight-against-changes-rule-41> If Congress does nothing, a new policy will take effect in less than two months that will make it easier than ever for the FBI to infiltrate, monitor, and damage computers remotely. With the threat of “Rule 41” changes looming, EFF went to DC to speak to policymakers about the future of computer security and the ramifications of government hacking. Upload Filtering Mandate Would Shred European Copyright Safe Harbor <https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2016/10/upload-filtering-mandate-would-shred-european-copyright-safe-harbor> European regulators have finally released the full and final proposal on Copyright in the Digital Single Market, and unfortunately it's full of ideas that will hurt users and the platforms on which they rely, in Europe and around the world. Tell the Copyright Office: Copyright Law Shouldn't Punish Research and Repair <https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2016/10/tell-copyright-office-copyright-law-shouldnt-punish-research-and-repair> After 18 years, we may finally see real reform to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act’s unconstitutional pro-DRM provisions. As locked-down copyrighted software shows up in more devices, people are realizing how important it is to be able to break those locks. If you can’t tinker with or repair it, then you don’t really own it—someone else does, and their interests will take precedence over yours. Is Let’s Encrypt the Largest Certificate Authority on the Web? <https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2016/10/lets-encrypt-largest-certificate-authority-web> Let’s Encrypt has issued its 12 millionth certificate, of which six million are active and unexpired. With these milestones, Let’s Encrypt now appears to us to be the the Internet’s largest certificate authority—but a recent analysis by W3Techs said we were only the third largest. So in this post we investigate: how big is Let’s Encrypt, really? USA FREEDOM Act Requires Government to Declassify Any Order to Yahoo <https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2016/10/usa-freedom-act-requires-government-declassify-any-order-yahoo> In the wake of reports that the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court ordered Yahoo to scan all of its users’ email in 2015, there are many unanswered legal and technical questions. But before we can even begin to answer them, there is a more fundamental question: what does the court order say? FCC Helped Create the Stingray Problem, Now it Needs to Fix It <https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2016/08/fcc-created-stingray-problem-now-it-needs-fix-it> The Baltimore Police Department is illegally using “Stingray” technology, which spies on cell phones by simulating a cellular tower. EFF recently supported a complaint to the Federal Communications Commission asking the agency to address Stingrays’ impact on speech, interference with 911 calls, and invasion of privacy. Google Changes Its Tune When it Comes to Tracking Students <https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2016/10/google-changes-its-tune-when-it-comes-tracking-students> Since we submitted our FTC complaint about Google’s student privacy practices a little under a year ago, Google has made some encouraging changes. However, the core of our FTC complaint—that Google collects data on students using certain services despite promising not to do so—remains. No One Owns Invisible Disabilities <https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2016/10/no-one-owns-invisible-disabilities> The purpose of registered trademarks is to protect people. But when the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issues overly broad or generic trademarks, those trademarks do just the opposite: they can expose us to the risk of legal bullying. miniLinks Facebook-backed school software shows promise — and raises privacy concerns <https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/facebook-backed-school-software-shows-promise--and-raises-privacy-concerns/2016/10/11/2580f9fe-80c6-11e6-b002-307601806392_story.html> A new school software tool backed by Facebook raises student privacy concerns. The Washington Post reports. Universities have turned over hundreds of patents to patent trolls <https://medium.com/@yardenkatz/universities-have-turned-over-hundreds-of-patents-to-patent-trolls-99d5cdec1d8a#.ogpf4monn> Which universities have sold the most patents to notorious mega-troll Intellectual Ventures? Yarden Katz digs into this question on Medium. Ethiopian authorities shut down mobile Internet and major social media sites <https://globalvoices.org/2016/10/11/ethiopian-authorities-shut-down-mobile-internet-and-major-social-media-sites/> Ethiopian authorities have shut down mobile Internet and major social media sites amid increasingly violent protests. Global Voices provides the story. 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 <https://supporters.eff.org/join/effector> Administrivia Editor: Gennie Gebhart, Researcher *[email protected]* <mailto:[email protected]> EFFector is a publication of the Electronic Frontier Foundation. *eff.org* <https://www.eff.org/> Membership & donation queries: *[email protected]* <mailto:[email protected]> General EFF, legal, policy, or online resources queries: *[email protected]* <mailto:[email protected]> *Reproduction* of this publication in electronic media is *encouraged*. MiniLinks do not necessarily represent the views of EFF. *Back issues of EFFector* <https://www.eff.org/effector/> This newsletter is printed from 100% recycled electrons. EFF appreciates your support and respects your privacy. *Privacy Policy* <http://www.eff.org/policy>. *Unsubscribe or change your email preferences* <https://supporters.eff.org/civicrm/profile/edit?reset=1&gid=14&id=1817092&cs=8547b9aebf385c74a1c48ae130e83b17_1477006074_672>, or *opt out of all EFF email* <https://supporters.eff.org/civicrm/mailing/optout?reset=1&jid=16166&qid=62931286&h=a50bc065650f5d7e> 815 Eddy Street San Francisco, CA 94109-7701 United States Join EFF! <https://supporters.eff.org/join/effector> Members make it possible for EFF to fight for your rights. Become a member today. Announcements EFF's New Writer Kate Tummarello <https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2016/10/5-questions-effs-new-writer-kate-tummarello> Kate will be drawing on her extensive experience as a DC tech reporter to focus on government surveillance and tech policy advocacy. EFF Celebrates Women in Tech and Ada Lovelace Day <https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2016/10/eff-celebrates-women-tech-today-and-every-day> We believe in celebrating women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics every day, and Ada Lovelace Day every October is no different. Digital Rights, Digital Repression: The Dual Roles of Technology in Human Rights <https://www.eff.org/event/digital-rights-digital-repression-dual-roles-technology-human-rights> EFF Global Policy Analyst Eva Galperin will moderate a discussion with Center for Justice & Accountability Attorney Scott Gilmore about how digital surveillance technologies have been abused in Syria and Ethiopia to target journalists and other human rights defenders, as well as the role of social media and technology in investigating atrocities. *October 19th, 2016 San Francisco, CA * Digital Trade and Democracy <https://www.eff.org/event/eff-digital-trade-and-democracy> EFF Senior Global Policy Analyst Jeremy Malcolm will address the California International Law Center at the University of California, Davis on transparency and legitimacy in trade negotiation processes. *October 20, 2016 Davis, CA * Mass Surveillance: Dangers and Solutions <https://www.eff.org/event/mass-surveillance-dangers-and-solutions> EFF Director of Grassroots Advocacy Shahid Buttar will speak at this public forum on the tensions and dangers of mass surveillance methods like spy drones, automated license plate readers, cell phone trackers, and call interception. *October 24, 2016 Santa Cruz, CA * National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers 2016 Fall Meeting & Seminar <https://www.eff.org/event/nacdls-2016-fall-meeting-seminar-suppress-it-litigating-4th-amendment-rights> EFF Senior Staff Attorney Jennifer Lynch will speak on biometric data, facial recognition, and how it can impact Fourth Amendment cases. *October 26-29, 2016 San Francisco, CA * Reclaim Invention: How Patent Trolls Undermine University Innovation <https://www.eff.org/event/reclaim-invention-how-patent-trolls-undermine-university-innovation> EFF Activist Elliot Harmon will discuss universities’ patenting and technology licensing policies as well as Reclaim Invention, EFF’s new initiative to commit not to tell or license patents to trolls. *October 27, 2016 Austin, TX * Rock Against the TPP: Washington, D.C. <https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2016/09/users-continue-rock-against-tpp-three-new-tour-dates> There will be a free concert and rally to protest the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Line-up to be announced. *November 30, 2016 Washington, D.C. * EFF on twitter <http://twitter.com/eff> facebook <http://www.facebook.com/eff> google plus <https://plus.google.com/+eff> identica <https://identi.ca/eff>